The Paralegal Studies program prepares students to work under the supervision of an attorney in private law offices, government agencies or corporate law departments performing delegated legal work including legal research, document preparation, client interviewing, factual investigation and case management utilizing current technology and in compliance with ethical and professional standards. Graduates of the program are well prepared to step into an exciting and challenging career as a Paralegal and also to sit for the certification exam by the National Association of Legal Assistants.
While this program is not primarily designed for transfer, transfer opportunities may exist upon graduation through specific articulation agreements with partner universities. Students interested in continuing at a four year institution should consult with an advisor.
The AAS in Business, Paralegal Concentration was developed in compliance with the Complete College Tennessee Act of 2010. Students who begin this program at Walters State Community College and transfer to another Tennessee public community college are guaranteed that their credits will transfer and will be credited toward completion of the AAS degree in Business, Paralegal Studies Concentration at the receiving institution.
Policy Regarding the Award of Credit for Law Courses by Examination or Transfer from another Institution.
The Paralegal Studies program of Walters State does not permit the award of any LEGL course credit by examination. To preserve the quality and integrity of the program, no more than six (6) hours of LEGL course credits may be awarded by transfer from another institution. When a request for credit by transfer is made by a student, the transcript of the institution where those credits were awarded must be presented to the college’s student records office. The program director will then review the transcript and a course description from the institution which awarded the credits and makes a determination as to 1) whether the institution which awarded the credits is accredited at a level substantially equivalent to Walters State; 2) whether the credits were awarded as part of a paralegal program substantially the equivalent of the Walters State paralegal program; and 3) whether the specific course appears to cover substantially the same material and involve the same number of semester hours as the equivalent course at Walters State. In the event the program director is satisfied that an acceptance/transfer of the credits is appropriate under these criteria, then the program director will generate a course substitution form indicating the source of the credits and the law course for which they should be accepted as credit and the reason for that recommendation. The course substitution is not effective until approved by the division dean, the vice president for academic affairs and the student records office.
Degree: Associate of Applied Science
Emphasis: Business
Concentration: Paralegal Studies (Approved by the American Bar Association)
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