The Legal Studies degree program prepares graduates for careers in law by providing a strong undergraduate education emphasizing communication, leadership, technology, and ethics. By challenging students to a rigorous curriculum of theory and practical application, the legal program prepares them for law or graduate school as well as for professional opportunities in a wide variety of legal settings including law firms, legal service agencies, courts, corporations, financial institutions, city, state, and federal government agencies.
Students who complete the legal studies bachelor's degree program will have fulfilled the requirements for the American Bar Association (ABA)-approved Certificate of Advanced Paralegal Studies. Students graduate knowing that paralegals work under the supervision of an attorney and are not authorized to engage in the practice of law.
Upon completion of the Legal Studies degree program, graduates will be able to:
Understand, analyze, produce, evaluate, and present (orally) appropriate solutions to legal challenges of the working legal professional within the context of delivery of legal services.
Apply legal research skills using full range of materials, both print and electronic.
Perform legal writing for different audiences, purposes, and kinds of documents.
Exhibit an understanding of substantive issues and legal procedures by identification and analysis of legal issues.
The goal of the Legal Studies bachelor's degree program is to prepare graduates to assist attorneys in the delivery of legal services in the public or private sector, to proceed to graduate school, or to pursue other career opportunities with a solid foundation in law.
Students are educated to:
Understand the legal profession and its role in our society.
Think critically and write competently and persuasively about legal issues.
Use technology to perform legal research and associated tasks.
Act ethically in their professional and personal lives.
Act on opportunities for professional growth and continuing education.
My courses at Bay Path have driven me to think differently and do things I never saw myself doing. I receive helpful and applicable feedback on everything I complete. I feel I will have a competitive edge when I continue on with my education in law school. I was privileged to gain an internship with the United States Attorney’s Office in the Federal Courthouse in Springfield, Massachusetts. I assisted the attorneys and paralegals with a broad scope of relevant assignments. I had a lot of fun while also learning more than could be absorbed in a classroom." - Angelica, Legal Studies Major
PLEASE NOTE: A PARALEGAL MAY WORK ONLY UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF AN ATTORNEY AND IS NOT AUTHORIZED TO ENGAGE IN THE PRACTICE OF LAW. THE ABA DEFINES A PARALEGAL OR LEGAL ASSISTANT AS "A PERSON, QUALIFIED BY EDUCATION, TRAINING OR WORK EXPERIENCE WHO IS EMPLOYED OR RETAINED BY A LAWYER, LAW OFFICE, CORPORATION, GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY OR OTHER ENTITY AND WHO PERFORMS SPECIFICALLY DELEGATED SUBSTANTIVE LEGAL WORK FOR WHICH A LAWYER IS RESPONSIBLE."
