Skip to main content

Legal Studies Certificates

The Legal Studies program offers two non-degree alternatives

Certificate in Legal Studies with a Bachelor's Degree

Because Legal Studies courses do not carry graduate credit, the University does not offer a graduate degree in this program. As a non-degree candidate, a student choosing this option is ineligible for financial aid.

Admission Requirements

  • Admission to the University as a non-degree graduate student ("visiting graduate student").
  • Completion of LGS 201 and one other Legal Studies course with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better in these courses.
  • Following completion of LGS 201 and another Legal Studies course, submission of a formal application to the Department of Politics and Government.
  • Offer of admission from the Department of Politics and Government.

Program Requirements

Completion of the following six required courses:

  • LGS 201: Introduction to Law for Paralegals
  • LGS 203: Legal Research I
  • LGS 204: Legal Research II
  • LGS 313: Law Office Technology
  • LGS 370: Litigation I
  • LGS 371: Litigation II

Completion of six semester hours of Legal Studies electives, selected from among the following paralegal specialty courses:

  • LGS 210: Introduction to Commercial Transactions for Paralegals
  • LGS 216: Introduction to Torts
  • LGS 311: Intellectual Property
  • LGS 314: Investigative Techniques & Evidence
  • LGS 315: Real Estate Law for Paralegals
  • LGS 316: Immigration Law for Paralegals
  • LGS 319: Probate Law
  • LGS 322: Domestic Relations & Family Law
  • LGS 360: Criminal Litigation
  • LGS 372: Employment Law
  • LGS 398.20: Paralegal Internship**

** Up to six semester hours of paralegal internship hours can be applied to the nine hour elective requirement. No more than fifteen internship hours can be counted towards graduation.

Completion of 24 semester hours from the Legal Studies Core Courses (required courses and electives) with a C or better in each course.

Certificate in Legal Studies without a Bachelor's Degree

While many legal employers prefer to have paralegals who earned baccalaureate degrees, it is possible to obtain paralegal work without this credential if the individual has developed the appropriate knowledge and skills.

Admission Requirements

  • Admission to the University as an unclassified undergraduate student or in any major degree program.
  • Completion of LGS 201 and one other Legal Studies course with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better in these courses.
  • Following completion of LGS 201 and another Legal Studies course, submission of a formal application to the Department of Politics and Government.
  • Offer of admission from the Department of Politics and Government.

Program Requirements

Completion of the following six required courses:

  • LGS 201: Introduction to Law for Paralegals
  • LGS 203: Legal Research I
  • LGS 204: Legal Research II
  • LGS 313: Law Office Technology
  • LGS 370: Litigation I
  • LGS 371: Litigation II

Completion of six semester hours of Legal Studies electives, selected from among the following paralegal specialty courses:

  • LGS 210: Introduction to Commercial Transactions for Paralegals
  • LGS 216: Introduction to Torts
  • LGS 311: Intellectual Property
  • LGS 314: Investigative Techniques & Evidence
  • LGS 315: Real Estate Law for Paralegals
  • LGS 316: Immigration Law for Paralegals
  • LGS 319: Probate Law
  • LGS 322: Domestic Relations & Family Law
  • LGS 360: Criminal Litigation
  • LGS 372: Employment Law
  • LGS 398.20: Paralegal Internship**

** Up to six semester hours of paralegal internship hours can be applied to the nine hour elective requirement. No more than fifteen internship hours can be counted towards graduation. 

Completion of 24 semester hours from the Legal Studies Core Courses (required courses and electives) with a C or better in each course.

Completion of 18 credit hours of selected general education to be approved by the Director of Legal Studies:

  • Completion of ENG 101 and COM 110
  • 6 semester hours of mathematics and/or natural sciences. Business math and accounting do not meet this requirement.
  • 6 semester hours of courses in two of the following categories: social science, humanities, English composition & literature, and foreign language. Business English does not satisfy this requirement.

Completion of a total of 60 semester hours of college level work.

ABA Approved

Illinois State's Legal Studies program is a paralegal education program approved by the ABA. Illinois State has full institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

Illinois State's Legal Studies program has existed since 1975 and has graduated over 350 students. The program is a member in good standing of the American Association for Paralegal Education.

At the present time there are no licensing or mandatory certification requirements for paralegals. The National Association of Legal Assistants Inc. operates a voluntary certification program for legal assistants. Successful completion of Illinois State's Legal Studies program will meet the educational part of the eligibility requirements for the NALA certification exam. The Legal Studies Program provides courses designed to provide specialized knowledge and skills to prepare students for employment as a paralegal. The learning objectives for the legal studies program are the following: apply critical thinking; strengthen professional communications skills; enhance legal research and writing skills; integrate computer skills in a legal setting; develop interviewing and investigation skills; and acquire an understanding of the paralegal profession and ethical obligations. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.