Legal Studies (Paralegal)
Legal Studies (Paralegal)
Turn your interest in law into a career you can start close to home. Â鶹Æƽâ°æ's Legal Studies (Paralegal) program gives you the knowledge and skills to work as a paralegal in law offices, corporations, government offices, and private industry. You'll learn to draft documents, conduct legal research, and support attorneys in real cases. Paralegals are not attorneys and don't practice law — they work under an attorney's supervision, doing meaningful work that keeps the legal world moving. Complete the program and you'll earn an Associate of Applied Science, ready to step into one of the fastest-growing fields in Texas.
Top Careers in Legal Studies
A career as a paralegal puts you at the heart of the legal process. You'll help attorneys prepare for trial, interview clients and witnesses, draft documents, and dig into the research that builds a strong case. A paralegal serves a lawyer much like a nurse practitioner assists a doctor — handling skilled work that keeps everything on track.
The paralegal profession is one of the fastest-growing career fields in Texas and across the country. Law firms aren't the only ones hiring, either. Corporations and government agencies now bring paralegals on board in growing numbers.
Your training opens doors to a range of roles. You could work as a Corporate Law Assistant, Legal Analyst, or Litigation Paralegal. You might step into a Paralegal Specialist, Real Estate Paralegal, or Legal Assistant position. Each path builds on the skills you gain in the program.
Strong skills open doors. With real research, drafting, and communication experience behind you, you can grow your career in a field that keeps expanding.
The pay is solid, too. In the Beaumont–Port Arthur area, paralegals and legal assistants earn a median of $48,890 a year, with most workers landing between $35,640 and $81,330 annually. Across Texas, the numbers climb higher — a median of $62,310 a year, with the statewide range running from $39,190 to $98,440. As you gain experience and take on more responsibility, you can move toward the upper end of that range and build a career that pays off close to home.
Schedule a Meeting
Tieranny Decuir
Instructor/Coordinator
Student Center, Office 415
Phone: 409-984-6548
Email: decuirts@lamarpa.edu
Dr. Blas A. Canedo-Gonzalez
Chair of Commercial Music, Visual and Performing Arts
Sam and Linda Monroe Performing Arts Center Building, Office 144
Phone: 409-984-6547
Email: canedoba@lamarpa.edu
Program Information
| Course | Title | SCH |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | ||
| LGLA 1307 | Intro to Law & Legal Profession | 3 |
| LGLA 1351 | Contracts | 3 |
| LGLA 1317 | Law Office Technology | 3 |
| POFT 1313 | Professional Workforce Prep | 3 |
| LGLA 2313 | Criminal Law/Procedures | 3 |
| Second Semester | ||
| LGLA 1345 | Civil Litigation | 3 |
| LGLA 1355 | Family Law | 3 |
| POFT 2312 | Business Correspondence & Communication | 3 |
| LGLA 2303 | Torts/Personal Injury Law | 3 |
| BMGT 1325 | Office Management | 3 |
| Third Semester | ||
| Humanities/Art | Fine Arts | 3 |
| LGLA 1301 | Legal Research and Writing | 3 |
| GOVT 2306 | Texas Government | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I | 3 |
| MATH 1324 | Math for Business and Social Sciences | 3 |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| Social/Behav | Sociology/Psychology, etc | 3 |
| SPCH 1315 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| LGLA 2339 | Certified Paralegal Exam Prep | 3 |
| LGLA 2388 | Paralegal/Legal Assist Internship | 3 |
| LGLA 2333 | Advanced Legal Document Preparation | 3 |
| Total | 60 | |
| course | title | sch |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | ||
| LGLA 1307 | Intro to Law & Legal Profession | 3 |
| LGLA 1351 | Contracts | 3 |
| LGLA 1317 | Law Office Technology | 3 |
| POFT 1313 | Professional Workforce Prep | 3 |
| LGLA 2313 | Criminal Law/Procedures | 3 |
| Second Semester | ||
| LGLA 1345 | Civil Litigation | 3 |
| LGLA 1355 | Family Law | 3 |
| POFT 2312 | Business Correspondence & Communication | 3 |
| LGLA 2303 | Torts/Personal Injury Law | 3 |
| BMGT 1325 | Office Management | 3 |
| Total | 30 | |
The Â鶹Æƽâ°æ Legal Studies program is built to move you into the workforce — and to keep your options open after that. You'll earn job-ready skills, build a strong foundation, and gain real experience along the way. Here's how the program sets you up for success:
- Earn an ABA-approved Associate of Applied Science. The degree totals 60 semester credit hours and prepares you to work as a paralegal. To meet American Bar Association guidelines, LGLA 1301 Legal Research and Writing, LGLA 2333 Legal Document Preparation, and LGLA 2388 Internship must be taken in a traditional or synchronous format.
- Know the transfer rules going in. Transfer is limited to 5 of the 11 paralegal (WECM) courses. Transfer students must complete at least 3 of the 6 required legal specialty courses at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ, including the capstone, LGLA 2388 Internship. An advisor can help you map your plan.
- Step into a legal career. Graduates work as Corporate Law Assistants, Legal Analysts, Litigation Paralegals, Paralegal Specialists, Real Estate Paralegals, and Legal Assistants in firms, corporations, and government offices.
- Keep building when you're ready. You may pursue a bachelor's degree in Political Science, and you may pursue certification as a legal assistant to strengthen your resume.
With real skills and an ABA-approved degree behind you, you can enter the workforce, earn certification, or continue toward a bachelor's degree on a timeline that fits your goals.
What is the Legal Studies (Paralegal) program at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ?
The program gives you the knowledge and skills to work successfully as a paralegal in law offices, corporations, government offices, and private industry. You'll learn to understand legal terms and the paralegal's role, draft transactional and court documents, and conduct legal research. Keep in mind that paralegals are not attorneys and cannot practice law — they work under the supervision of an attorney.
What credentials can I earn?
Â鶹Æƽâ°æ offers an Associate of Applied Science in Legal Studies, which totals 60 semester credit hours, and a Legal Office Generalist Certificate, which totals 30 semester credit hours. Note that the certificate is not an approved program option and does not prepare you to work as a paralegal. An advisor will help you choose the path that fits your goals — close to home.
How long does the degree take?
The Associate of Applied Science usually takes about two years to complete. The certificate typically takes about one year. Your timeline depends on your course load, and an advisor can help you build a plan that fits your work, family, and budget.
What skills will I build in this program?
You'll build practical, career-ready skills the legal field depends on. Your training focuses on:
- Understanding legal terms and the paralegal's role in the legal environment
- Applying correct drafting procedures to transactional and court documents
- Demonstrating ethics, professionalism, and confidentiality
- Using computer software and strong research skills
- Building critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution
These are the hands-on skills that prepare you to step confidently into a legal office.
What does a paralegal actually do?
A paralegal performs skilled work under an attorney's supervision. You'll draft documents, prepare for trial, interview clients and witnesses, and conduct legal research. It's meaningful work that keeps cases moving and supports the attorneys you work with every day.
Are there courses I have to take on campus?
Yes. To meet the program's American Bar Association-approved degree requirements, three courses must be taken in a traditional or synchronous manner: LGLA 1301 Legal Research and Writing, LGLA 2333 Legal Document Preparation, and LGLA 2388 Internship.
Can I transfer credits into the program?
You can, with limits. Transfer is capped at 5 of the 11 paralegal (WECM) courses. Transfer students must complete at least 3 of the 6 required legal specialty courses at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ, including the capstone LGLA 2388 Internship. An advisor will review your courses to confirm they meet the ABA-approved guidelines.
What can I do after I finish?
You have clear options. You can step straight into the workforce as a paralegal, pursue certification as a legal assistant, or continue your education toward a bachelor's degree in Political Science. An advisor can help you map the path that fits your goals.
What salary can I expect?
Pay depends on your role, employer, and experience. According to O*NET OnLine, the median salary for paralegals is $22.87 an hour. Other areas of the state may offer a slightly higher range. As you gain experience, you open the door to more.
Do you help with job placement?
Yes. Â鶹Æƽâ°æ offers job assistance through a campus job board you can use throughout your time at school. It's one more way the college helps connect you to opportunities in the field.
Are there student organizations I can join?
Yes. You can get involved with Alpha Beta Gamma. It's a great way to connect with peers, build your network, and grow in the field.
How do I get started?
Take the first step today. Apply through ApplyTexas, then talk to an advisor about your goals. They'll walk you through enrollment, financial aid, and your course plan — one clear step at a time, close to home.
The Â鶹Æƽâ°æ Advantage
Ready to turn your interest in law into a career you can build on? Your path in legal studies starts at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ. You'll gain the knowledge and skills to work as a paralegal in law offices, corporations, government offices, and private industry — with an ABA-approved Associate of Applied Science that gets you ready for real work.
At Â鶹Æƽâ°æ, you learn by doing. Supportive instructors and hands-on practice mean you build real skills from day one. You'll learn to draft court and transactional documents, conduct legal research, interview clients and witnesses, and prepare for trial — all while building the ethics, professionalism, and confidentiality the legal field counts on. You'll also complete an internship that gives you real experience to put on your resume.
By graduation, you'll have more than a degree. You'll have practical skills, real experience, and the confidence to step into one of the fastest-growing fields in Texas. It's affordable, career-ready training that meets you where you are. Build your future in legal studies, close to home.