Train to become a paralegal through our legal studies program
Associate of Science - Legal Studies (64 credits)
Pursue your path to studying law or train to be a paralegal through the only associate of science in legal studies in western Michigan. Approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) since 1994, Davenport University’s legal studies program is led by expert faculty with a range of experiences, from practicing attorneys who share current legal trends to those who have retired from law with decades of experience. Their varied backgrounds bring depth and diversity to the legal studies program and also provide you with internship and networking opportunities.
Davenport understands students' schedules are hectic. To provide further flexibility within the legal studies program, we are transitioning to a fully online experience by offering 100% of courses in livestream format through our Global Campus. This allows you to stream and participate in classes from anywhere life takes you! And once you’ve completed your associate degree, you can easily continue studying law in Davenport’s bachelor of science in legal studies program — another ABA-approved paralegal program.
What are paralegals?
Under attorney supervision, paralegals prepare legal documents, interview clients and witnesses, summarize witness statements and much more. You can train to become a paralegal through Davenport’s ABA-approved paralegal program. Through internships and coursework, you’ll practice conducting investigations, do legal and factual research, draft documents and help prepare for and present at trials. By becoming a paralegal you’ll play an integral part of any legal team.
Explore classes for Davenport's associate degree in legal studies
Through Davenport’s ABA-approved paralegal program, you'll take courses like business and legal ethics, litigation procedure, law office and case management technology and substantive practice areas of law. These courses combine legal theory with practical application in the real world. For example, you can gain experience while serving others by participating in the Davenport Estate Planning Services (DEPS) program, which provides free estate planning documents to underserved populations.
Which class should I take? When should I take it?
See our Recommended Program Sequences:
Why train to become a paralegal at Davenport?
By studying law at Davenport through our ABA-approved paralegal program, you’ll learn from legal studies faculty with years of experience in the field as well as from currently practicing attorneys and others who work in the legal field. They have the connections that can lead to internships and legal jobs for you.
Experience the Davenport difference:
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Volunteer opportunitiesGet involved in the student group Legal Assistants at DU and receive access to valuable information and volunteer opportunities. |
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Personal guidanceReceive personalized attention with experts in the legal field — your professors — thanks to our 18:1 student-teacher ratio. |
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Continue studying lawBuild your skills in thinking logically and analytically so you’re prepared to pursue your bachelor’s in legal studies at Davenport. |
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Get right to workTrain to be a paralegal in a law office, government agency or other setting in just 2 years with our ABA-approved paralegal program. |
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Prime locationsEarn your degree in legal studies at our W.A. Lettinga and Lansing locations — and through our Global Campus starting in 2021. |
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IACBE accreditedTrust you’re receiving a quality degree with our International Accreditation Council for Business Education accreditation. |
Get started on becoming a paralegal
Explore the admissions requirements and then take the next step toward earning your associate of science degree in legal studies.
Talk to an admissions advisor
Davenport’s admissions team is here to answer your questions. Please call us at 800.686.1600 or email us at info@davenport.edu.
Apply now or request more information
Start on your path to studying law and landing legal jobs. Request more information or begin your application now.
Davenport programs related to the associate in legal studies
Additional resources
- Apply accounting principles to inform decision-making in a business setting.
- Illustrate the principles of professional business ethics utilized in business decision-making.
- Use computer application technologies in the creation of business documents.
- Explain the relevancy of the Code of Professional Responsibility and how it relates to the paralegal profession.
- Apply technology to produce legal documents in the area of business and personal legal services.
- Create legal documents similar in content and quality to those routinely produced in business and personal legal setting.
Although the associates in legal studies program can be completed online, please note that at least nine credits in synchronous (real-time virtual) legal specialty courses is required. If you have any questions about this, please reach out to your advisor or our admissions team at info@davenport.edu.
The University Policy for residency is as follows:
Students must take a minimum of the following at Davenport University in order to fulfill residency:
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
All credits required for the post-baccalaureate certificate
Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree
A minimum of 30 semester credits from 100–400-level courses, to include at least fifty percent of the courses in the major, plus all
(combined BBA/MAcc) 500–700-level courses required
Bachelor’s Degree
A minimum of 30 semester credits, to include at least fifty percent of the courses in the major
Associate Degree
A minimum of 15 semester credits, to include at least fifty percent of the courses in the major
Diploma
A minimum of fifty percent of the credits required for the diploma, of which at least two courses must be in the major
- Those applying as transfer students who wish to have credits from another college evaluated and applied to their Davenport degree must have an official transcript sent to the Registrar’s Office.
- Transfer applicants with a bachelor’s degree from another institution may earn a second bachelor’s degree from Davenport University, provided the curriculum at Davenport University is substantially different from the curriculum involved in the first degree.
- Regardless of the number of credits accepted from other institutions, all transfer students must meet Davenport’s minimum residency requirements (see dropdown box above).
- To be transferrable, Paralegal or Legal Studies coursework must be from an American Bar Association accredited Paralegal or Legal Studies program and be listed in the Directory of ABA Approved Paralegal Education Programs. Paralegal or Legal Studies coursework from a non-accredited program will be transferred in as general business elective credit. General education and non-Paralegal and non-Legal Studies coursework is transferable regardless of the accreditation status of the program.
Some programs require a student to complete a portion of their degree plan off-campus.
View a full list of those programs and courses
Source:
DU Graduate Survey, 2023
DU Student Data, Fall 2023