Paralegal Studies

The Law and Paralegal Studies Department provide students with both an understanding of law, and the practical skills, legal research acumen, and technical proficiency needed to competently work in today's complex legal environment.

The curriculum is designed to provide students with the knowledge of substantive and procedural law required to function in the legal workplace. Although paralegals are not permitted to practice law, the program has adequately prepared many of our students for the ability to enroll in more advanced legal programs including graduate school and law.

Our program offers two-degree options—both accredited by the American Bar Association—a bachelor of science and an associate in applied science that prepare students for a rewarding career as a paralegal in which they apply what they have learned in the classroom to assist attorneys in a variety of substantive areas of the law. Both degree programs combine a solid background in liberal arts with a full range of specialty courses.

Representative samples of sites where associate degree graduates are working include the U.S. Attorney General’s Office, New York City Law Department, U.S. Department of Labor, New York City Board of Education, Legal Aid, JPMorgan Chase, Cullen & Dykman, Federal Trade Commission, New York City Transit Authority, New York State Workers’ Compensation Board and judicial offices as well as local law firms. 

All faculty in the Law and Paralegal Studies Department are judges or attorneys licensed to practice law in New York State. Several faculty are licensed to practice law in other states, in District Courts, and are admitted to practice before The U.S. Supreme Court.

Our AAS program requires students to complete an internship course in which they are placed in a law firm, government office, the courts, or private organization, to gain practical experience that exemplifies the various areas covered in their academic studies. 

Graduates of the associate degree program may choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in program.

Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge: Pursue disciplined, inquiry-based learning in the major; value knowledge and learning; acquire tools for lifelong learning; engage in an in-depth focused and sustained program of study.

• Skills: Communicate in diverse settings and groups, using written, oral and visual means; employ logical thinking; use creativity to solve problems.

• Integration: Gather, interpret, evaluate, and apply information discerningly from a variety of sources; understand and navigate systems; resolve difficult issues creatively by employing multiple systems and tools.

• Values, Ethics and Relationships: Demonstrate intellectual honesty and personal and professional responsibility; demonstrate intellectual agility and the ability to manage change; work with teams, including those of diverse composition; demonstrate social and civic knowledge; apply knowledge and analyze social, political, economic, and historical issues.

• Ethical Reasoning: Demonstrate the ability to discern what’s right and wrong conduct. Assess student’s own ethical values and demonstrate the ability to recognize ethical issues in a variety of settings. 

Program Goals

Graduates with an associate in applied science degree in Paralegal Studies should be able to:

• Describe the evolving role, responsibilities, and ethical obligations of paralegals/legal assistants in the delivery of legal services in addition to the development and expansion of access to legal services.

• Explain the basic principles of the American common law system with particular attention to the structures and jurisdiction of the Federal and New York court systems.

• Use appropriate legal terminology in all forms of written, oral, and visual communication.

• Locate, read, evaluate and analyze both print and electronic sources of law, and apply them to issues requiring legal analysis.

• Utilize standard legal forms on a computer database and/or appropriate software programs to draft basic legal documents related to the required courses in the associate degree.

Entrance and Progression Requirements

Entrance into paralegal studies courses requires CUNY proficiency in reading and writing. All students admitted without such proficiencies will be required to complete necessary remediation and to obtain proficiency before progressing into paralegal studies courses. A minimum grade of C in each course with the prefix LAW is required for progression within the paralegal studies major. Students may repeat a LAW course once if they have received a D or F grade.

Transfer students students should schedule a meeting with the department chair prior to beginning study in the program.

Accreditation and Professional Organization Affiliation

The American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Paralegals develops policies on paralegal education, employment, and training. Through its Approval Commission, it sets standards for paralegal education.

The American Association of Paralegal Educators (AAfPE) promotes high standards in paralegal education, support professional growth for educators, organize conferences and seminars, offer technical assistance, advance research, and collaborate with the ABA on program approval.

Advisement Information

Students meet periodically (minimum of once a semester) with their faculty advisor to review the student’s progression towards completion of their degree. 

All students are assigned a faculty advisor by the chair of the department.

 You can find your advisor's name in Navigate (log in with your CUNYfirst information and look at your Success Team) or in CUNYfirst — in your student center, it is viewable in the Academic Records section under “Advisor.”

You can also reach us by email at LAWadvisement@citytech.cuny.edu.