Paralegal Studies Program
Associate in Science Professional Studies - Paralegal and Legal Studies
Upon Completion of this Concentration Graduates will be able to:
- Understand the legal process and the nature of law practice.
- Construct and evaluate logical arguments in support of specific positions.
- Conduct effective legal research and oversee legal projects.
- Understand, identify and resolve legal and ethical issues associated with the paralegal profession.
Career Outlook
Paralegals typically find jobs with law firms, corporations, government offices, non-profit entities, banks, health care organizations, bio-tech companies and financial institutions. Areas of specialization include litigation, corporate law, criminal law, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, bankruptcy, labor law, immigration, family law, and real estate.
The number of jobs in the paralegal field is expected to grow much faster than average through 2016, and the position of paralegal is consistently ranked among the best jobs in America. Boston is home to one of the top legal markets in the United States and BHCC’s main campus is minutes away from many courthouses, law schools, law firms, and government offices.
Unauthorized Practice of Law Statement
A Legal Studies graduate may work as a paralegal only under the supervision of an attorney and is not authorized to engage in the practice of law. The ABA (American Bar Association) defines a paralegal or legal assistant as “a person, qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.