This program is approved by the American Bar Association and designed for paralegal professionals who assist attorneys in the research, investigation, document preparation, and writing responsibilities of a law firm.
Students interested in the program need excellent writing and communication skills, the ability to accept responsibility and take direction, and an aptitude for organizing legal ideas and factual materials.
UA Fort Smith's legal assistance program supports the general principles of ethical legal practice, professional responsibility, and the prohibition against the unauthorized practice of law by nonlawyers. Information concerning requirements may be obtained from an advisor or the program director.
To be eligible for graduation, students must satisfy the University's general education requirements and must have a "C" or better in all LEGL courses.
Job Opportunities
| Private Law Firm | Criminal Law Offices Prosecutor and Defense |
Law Departments of Corporations, Banks,
Insurance Companies, and other Businesses | Law Librarian |
| Legal Services/Legal Aid Offices | Legal-Assistant Supervisor |
| Government | Service Companies |
Related Degrees
Degree Requirements
(Printable Version with full details)
The prerequisites and corequisites of the degree requirements are subject to change.
| FIRST SEMESTER: 16 hours |
|---|
| Credit Hours | Courses | Notes | Grade |
|---|
| 3 | ENGL 1203 Freshman English I | | |
| 3 | ITA 1003 Computer Applications for the Knowledge Worker | | |
| 3 | POLS 2753 American National Government | | |
| 3 | LEGL 1043 Introduction to Law | 1 | |
| 4 | LEGL 1104 Legal Research | 1 | |
| SECOND SEMESTER: 15 hours |
|---|
| Credit Hours | Courses | Notes | Grade |
|---|
| 3 | SPCH 1203 Introduction to Speech Communication | | |
| 3 | MATH 1403 College Algebra | | |
| 3 | ENGL 1223 Technical Composition | | |
| 3 | LEGL 2723 Criminal Law | 1 | |
| 3 | LEGL 2133 Torts | 1 | |
| SUMMER SEMESTER: 4 hours |
|---|
| Credit Hours | Courses | Notes | Grade |
|---|
| 3 | PSYC 1163 General Psychology | | |
| 1 | APRO 1221 Digital Information Management | 1 | |
| THIRD SEMESTER: 13 hours |
|---|
| Credit Hours | Courses | Notes | Grade |
|---|
| 3 | LEGL 2323 Civil Litigation | 1 | |
| 3 | LEGL 2143 Legal Writing | 1 | |
| 2 | LEGL 2382 Legal Ethics | 1 | |
| 3 | LEGL 2553 Real Estate Law | 1 | |
| 2 | LEGL or Computer Elective | 1 & 2 | |
| FOURTH SEMESTER: 15 hours |
|---|
| Credit Hours | Courses | Notes | Grade |
|---|
| 2 | LEGL 2252 Family Law | 1 | |
| 3 | LEGL 2643 Commercial Law | 1 | |
| 3 | LEGL 2753 Wills, Trusts, and Probate | 1 | |
| 2 | LEGL 2772 Business Organizations | 1 | |
| 2 | LEGL 2822 Trial Practice | 1 | |
| 3 | General Elective Requirement | 2 | |
| Total Hours: 63/64 |
|---|
The prerequisites and corequisites of the degree requirements are subject to change.
| NOTES |
|---|
| 1: These courses are used to determine major courses in residency, see Graduation Requirements. Students must have a "C" or better in these courses to meet LEGL requirements. |
| 2: Electives, select with advisor or program director. Legal or computer elective, two hours are required from LEGL 190V, 2162, 2622, 2712, 2762, ITA 1051, or HLTH 1473. General elective requirement, three hours are required from humanities, art, music appreciation, science, foreign language, mathematics, or economics. |
Transfer Course Information
The Arkansas Course Transfer System (ACTS) contains information about the transferability of courses within Arkansas public colleges and universities. Students are guaranteed the transfer of applicable credits and the equitable treatment of the application of credits for the admissions and degree requirements. Courses transferability is not guaranteed for courses listed in ACTS as "No Comparable Courses." Courses with a D grade will not transfer unless an appeal for exception is submitted in writing to the provost prior to the first day of class. ACTS-Arkansas Course Transfer System
http://acts.adhe.edu -select Course Transfer. Students may also view the UA Fort Smith Transfer Credit Guide at
www.uafortsmith.edu/Transfer/TransferCreditGuide.
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