Law and Paralegal Studies
AAB
Why study Law and Paralegal Studies?
Law and Paralegal Studies is a 100-percent online program. The effective practice of law requires a team of conscientous, competent professionals. A critical member of that team is the paralegal, who plays a vital role in the legal system by completing essential legal tasks that ensure the delivery of quality legal services to the client. A paralegal’s primary role is to provide support to attorneys. Paralegals may work specifically with one lawyer or a group of attorneys. The work that paralegals do varies based on the size and practice area of the firm at which they are employed, but commonly includes meeting with clients, interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, researching case law and legal precedents, drafting documents, pleadings, and correspondence with clients and the court.
The paralegal field is growing and offers opportunities in many different areas of concentration. A paralegal can work in a variety of legal fields, finding success with corporate firms, private firms or in the public arena. Much like attorneys, paralegals can choose a certain type of law, which can determine the type of work they will do on a regular basis. A litigation paralegal, for example, may prepare clients for trial, interview witnesses, research legal precedents pertinent to a case, and must have a wide knowledge of the court rules and evidentiary issues. A paralegal degree does offers opportunities outside the legal field, including in real estate, hospitals, nonprofits and health care systems.
Admission Requirements
Admission into the University of Cincinnati’s online Associate of Applied Business in Law & Paralegal Studies degree program is open to all students with a high school diploma or GED and the desire to succeed in college. Although admission is open, students accepted into the program must meet the academic standards of the program to advance to upper levels of study.
Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.
Students must take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.
Prerequisites
Freshmen:
You are currently a high school senior or have a high school diploma, GED, or home-school equivalent.
Transfer:
Students who have completed paralegal courses at other institutions may petition to the program director to have those courses transferred into the University of Cincinnati Clermont program. You must include the following:
- A school catalog/bulletin from the institution; and
- A course syllabus from the specific paralegal course.
Transferability is based on the following:
- Accreditation of the former institution;
- Comparability of the course including evaluation of practical assignments;
- Year the course was taken;
- Assurance that the student will have at least 9 semester credits of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction;
- Documented proof that the grade received was a ‘C’ or above;
- Transfer from schools that are not regionally accredited will not be allowed
Transfer from schools that are not ABA-approved or members of American Association of Paralegal Education (AAPE) will be not be allowed. Courses more than seven years old will not be transferred into the program. Students may not transfer more than four courses.
If you have not obtained the minimum ACT/SAT score required for exemption, you will be required to take an English and mathematics placement test. These tests do not affect your admission; however, the results are essential for proper class placement. The placement test(s) are free and must be completed before you can register for English and/or math courses.
Transcripts
Transcripts can be submitted electronically or by mail. To see if your transcript(s) can be ordered electronically, visit the links below and search for your previous school(s).
- Parchment
- Please select “University of Cincinnati – Main Campus” as the recipient of your transcript.
- National Student Clearinghouse
- Please have your transcript sent directly to admissions@uc.edu.
If you do not see your past school(s) listed on either site, please contact the school(s) directly. Then, mail your sealed, unopened, official transcripts to:
Please mail sealed, unopened, official transcripts to:
University of Cincinnati
Office of Admissions
PO Box 210091
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0091
Learn more about requesting your transcripts.
Excellent communication skills, a willingness to learn computer software applications and attention to detail are important attributes to succeed as a paralegal. You should have good people skills, be an independent worker and have a high degree of personal integrity.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, paralegal employment is projected to grow by 12% through 2030 (above average compared to other career fields). The Associate of Applied Business in Law & Paralegal Studies program is designed to prepare graduates for a variety of job opportunities in private practices as well as in most areas of government, business, and nonprofit organizations.
Job opportunities for those with an Associate of Applied Business in Paralegal Studies degree include, but are not limited to:
- Discovery Liaison
- Immigration Paralegal
- Probate Paralegal
- Legal Administrator of Business
- Real Estate Paralegal
- Litigation Paralegal
- Claims Adjuster/Investigator
- Corporate Paralegal
Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.
Students must take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.
The information provided is sourced from a third party, Lightcast. Their product, called Career Coach, combines extensive labor market data from Lightcast and the U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics. It provides insights on industry, occupation, compensation, and projected growth for each profession. Economic and workforce information is available for various geographic regions. Some careers may require additional training or education.Academic advising is an essential part of your educational experience.
We are committed to providing advice and assistance throughout your academic journey. You and your advisor work together to create an academic plan based on your goals.
Questions? Email us at clermont.advising@uc.edu or call 513-558-8317 to schedule an appointment.
UC Clermont students have access to free tutoring and academic support services through Learning Commons. The Learning Commons provides centralized academic support for all University of Cincinnati students by bringing together faculty, best-practices in teaching and learning, and hundreds of outstanding peer educators to create flexible academic success programming. Free services available to UC Clermont students include academic coaching, group review sessions, success skills workshops, and tutoring in writing, math, science and more. Services are available on-campus or virtually. Visit the Learning Commons webpage for more information or schedule an appointment online.
Academic Coaching – Academic coaches help students get organized and learn to be efficient and effective with their study time during one-on-one sessions. Academic Coaches work with students on new strategies or exercises to try before the next meeting and later meetings allow tailoring new approaches to develop the best study and test taking habits for unique goals and strengths. Schedule one-hour sessions as often as once per week.
Academic Writing Center (AWC) – The Academic Writing Center (AWC) offers tutoring for all stages of the writing process, from brainstorming to incorporating research. The AWC is not course-specific and can help with discipline-specific documents, as well as non-course-based writing. Schedule a one-on-one appointment with a trained writing tutor or submit a paper online for feedback within 48 hours.
Group Review Sessions (GRS) – Group Review Sessions (GRS) are small study groups, led by a peer leader, that meet to review content that is covered in course-supported lectures each week. Find the list of supported courses on the Learning Commons website.
Math & Science Support Center (MASS) – The MASS Center offers virtual study tables for many undergraduate mathematics and science courses. Study tables provide a collaborative learning space so that students can learn from their peers who have excelled (the table leader) as well as their fellow class members attending the study table. No appointment is necessary for these scheduled group study sessions. You can view the up-to-date study table schedule on the Learning Commons website.
Peer Tutoring – Peer tutoring sessions are one-on-one with a subject-specific tutor to answer questions and help you master content in more than 200 undergraduate courses, including subjects such as math, science, languages and business. Schedule appointments up to 7 days in advance for one-hour, 90-minute or two-hour session. If you notice your desired course is not offered, please let us know.
Preparatory Composition – Students enrolled in UC Clermont Preparatory English (ENGL0099) courses have dedicated support from professional tutors. Information about these services and how to connect with the tutor is included in the course syllabus.
Success Skills Workshops – Success Skills Workshops are free one-hour sessions that focus on skills students need to be successful in college (study skills, note-taking, motivation, etc.). While there is no shortcut to success, the goal of the workshops is to empower students to identify and apply academic habits and soft skills through a deeper understanding and purpose of them. When students RSVP for a workshop, they will be able to register for the upcoming workshops one at a time and up to nine days prior to the workshop date.
Canvas Navigator Workshop – Designed to help students who are new to college and need help navigating their coursework online. The workshop shows students how to access their course materials, publisher homework, quizzes, textbooks, academic services like tutoring, and more. Students who attend this workshop can expect to gain clarity on what they need to do on a weekly basis to stay on track with their course work throughout the semester, which helps students stay motivated leading to greater confidence and success in their courses.
Math Placement Test Workshop – Offered to prospective and current UC students who want to brush up on their math skills before taking the Math Placement Test. The free synchronous online workshop is led by a UC Clermont professional tutor. The three-week workshop series is offered monthly except in January. It is recommended that students sign up for all three weeks to get the maximum benefit from these workshops.
Math for Science Students Workshop – Designed for students enrolled in entry-level biology and chemistry courses, these workshops cover foundational math concepts that students need to success in their science courses. The synchronous online workshops are led by a UC Clermont tutor. The workshop repeats each week starting the week before classes begin and continuing through week 3 of the semester.
In order to graduate from UC Clermont, a student must:
- Complete all required course work and program requirements.
- Obtain at least a 2.0 university grade point average.
- Be in good academic standing; that is, not on academic or disciplinary probation or suspension.
- Meet the college's residency requirement of 20 semester credit hours.
- File formal application for the degree by the posted semester of graduation deadline.
We accept transfer applications all year long, and you may start any semester, provided your transcripts arrive in time to be evaluated before the start of the semester you wish to attend.
If you have not taken college-level mathematics or English, you will need to take the appropriate assessments prior to enrolling.
Other UC students may transfer into Clermont College by completing the application for change in college and program. You are urged to see your advisor before transferring into a different major to minimize any impact on your degree progress.
You must demonstrate English proficiency. You must also meet admissions deadlines and visa requirements, and provide documentation of sufficient funds before we can complete your admission. Please call the International Admissions Office (513) 556-2069 for details or email with questions.
Learn more about becoming an international student at UC Clermont.
Explore unique opportunities, faculty, and resources available in Business, Law and Technology
Application Deadlines
For specific deadline information, visit the Admissions webpage.
The paralegal program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
Contact Information
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Program Code: 34ASC-PARA-AAB-.PARA-DL