Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.

Get Adobe Flash player

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Undergraduate Symposium

The Undergraduate Student Symposium, sponsored by the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, presents student projects and performances through oral presentations, paper submissions, and poster displays.
Paralegal Studies Major

Paralegal Studies Curriculum

Paralegal studies majors may take a maximum of six major elective credits in Special Topics courses and a maximum of six major elective credits in internship courses. LEGS courses offered online require proctored exams at approved sites.

General Education Requirements (30 credits)

Students are required to complete 30 credit hours as part of the General Education Program.

Paralegal Studies Major Requirements (54 credits)

Core Courses (45 credits)

  • LEGS 1150 Introduction to Law and the Legal Profession (3 credits)
  • LEGS 2100 Legal Research and Writing (3 credits)
  • LEGS 3050 Criminal Law and Procedure (3 credits)
  • LEGS 3210 Computer Applications for the Legal Profession (3 credits)
  • LEGS 3260 Real Estate Practice I (3 credits)
  • LEGS 3300 Torts and Civil Litigation (3 credits)
  • LEGS 3360 Wills, Trusts and Estates I (3 credits)
  • LEGS 3400 Business Relations and Organizations (3 credits)
  • LEGS 3550 Family Law (3 credits)
  • LEGS 4110 Legal Research and Writing II (3 credits)
  • LEGS 4270 Real Estate Practice II (3 credits)
  • LEGS 4310 Advanced Litigation (3 credits)
  • LEGS 4370 Wills, Trusts, and Estates II (3 credits)
  • LEGS 4410 Corporate Regulation and Change (3 credits)
  • SPCH 1010 Public Speaking (3 credits) OR SPCH 2020 Argument and Debate (3 credits)

Major Electives (9 credits)

Select nine credits from the following courses:

  • LEGS 4060 Debtor and Creditor Relations (3 credits)
  • LEGS 4470 Emerging Technologies and the Legal Profession (3 credits)
  • LEGS 4510 Specialty Course (3 credits)
  • LEGS 4560 Elder Law (3 credits)
  • LEGS 4950 Internship in Paralegal Studies (3 credits)

Transfer Policy

As stated in the Nova Southeastern University Undergraduate Student Catalog, NSU will transfer a maximum of 90 eligible semester credits (grades of D or higher) toward a degree, including credit for CLEP, proficiency exams, and prior experiential learning. The transfer of these credits coincides with the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida articulation agreement entered into by the university.  Remaining credits and at least 50 percent of credits in the student's major, minor, and/or certificate areas must be earned at NSU in regular academic offerings. See the "Academic Requirements and Progress" section.

In addition, the student must arrange for an official transcript to be sent from the college previously attended.

In regards to Legal Specialty Courses, legal specialty courses transferred from colleges which maintain an articulation agreement with NSU will automatically transfer pursuant to the established articulation agreement.  References to Legal Specialty Courses only apply to courses offered through the Paralegal Studies Program.  All legal specialty courses that are not enumerated in the articulation agreement will be transferred as LEGS 1999 elective credits.  The agreements are subject to change or modification by mutual written consent between the parties hereto.  It is understood between the institution and the college/schools that the agreement may be modified by the institution, in consultation with the college/school.  Modification may be made if necessary to bring it within the purview of and in accord with the directives of the President or academic leadership at the institution, the statutes governing the institution, or the policies of the Board of Trustees of the institution.  Each school/college has program specific agreements that are enumerated below. 

Depending upon the articulation agreement held with the particular community college, between 58 and 63 credits is the minimum credits transferable towards a bachelor of science degree in paralegal studies.  The maximum number of credits that are transferrable for colleges with articulation agreements is 90 credits.  In order to ensure that at least 10 semester credits, or the equivalent, of legal specialty courses through traditional classroom instruction is provided, 4000 level courses are not transferable towards completion of the program course requirements.

Legal specialty courses from colleges that do not have an articulation agreement with NSU have to be evaluated by the program coordinator to ensure that the content of the course is comparable to the Nova Southeastern University course.  Evaluations of legal specialty courses include the comparison of course descriptions between the transferring college and NSU and course syllabi provided by the transferring student.  In order to ensure that at least 10 semester credits, or the equivalent, of legal specialty courses through traditional classroom instruction is provided, 4000 level courses are not transferable towards completion of the program course requirements.

Transfer credit is given for not more than six legal specialty courses (18 credits) to those seeking a Certificate in Paralegal Studies to satisfy the requirements that at least 10 semester credits, or the equivalent, of legal specialty courses through traditional classroom instruction is provided.

The program does not award transfer credit to students merely based on their certification as a Certified Legal Assistant.  However, a student who is a Certified Legal Assistant and has completed courses in another college or university will be eligible to transfer course credits from their previous academic institution should the courses be eligible for transfer.