Legal Studies
New in FALL 2025
The Legal Studies Program is designed to prepare students for positions in the legal services profession. The program offers students a comprehensive and practical education for individuals aspiring to pursue a rewarding career as paralegals or legal assistants. Students will learn the role of paralegals and legal assistants supporting attorneys in private practice, government, business, and non-profits.
Courses will expose students to the principles, terminology, and procedures of the legal system. Legal reasoning, system structure and function as well as legal ethics and professional responsibility will be taught. Courses will provide students the knowledge, skill, and abilities to research, write, and prepare documents for correspondence, court filings, civil litigation, and criminal proceedings. An internship component will present individuals to the legal community, provide a venue to apply knowledge, perform tasks, and gain experience in legal services.
You'll learn how to:
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Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of key legal principles, terminology, and procedures in all areas of law.
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Conduct effective legal research using online databases, court records, law libraries, and other public sources to locate statutes, regulations, transactional histories and case law.
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Communicate clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing, including drafting legal documents, memoranda, and correspondence.
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Demonstrate proficiency in overseeing law office operations including scheduling, case records, financial transactions, office supplies, and maintenance of office technology.
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Understand and adhere to the professional standards and ethical responsibilities of the paralegal profession.
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Develop effective client communication and interviewing skills to document relevant information for the managing attorney.
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Demonstrate professionalism, cultural competence, and understanding when interacting with clients from diverse backgrounds and limited legal knowledge.
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Understand the procedural rules and requirements for civil and criminal cases, including filing documents with courts, discovery processes, and trial procedures.
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Understand the procedural rules and requirements for civil and criminal cases, including filing documents with courts, discovery processes, and trial procedures.
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Recognize the importance of ongoing professional development and the importance staying up-to-date with changes in law, and regulations, and court procedures.
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Work effectively as a member of a legal team, demonstrating the ability to collaborate with attorneys, paralegals, and legal support staff.
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Apply critical thinking skills to clarify client issues, identify relevant information, and assist the managing attorney.
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Program Tracks
Full Time
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Estimated degree completion time
4 semesters, 60 credit hours
Degree questions, answered.
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Meet the Faculty
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Timothy Burton
Criminal Justice Faculty
Chief Burton has fifteen years’ experience as an adjunct instructor for Husson University, the University of Texas, Odessa College, and YCCC. Chief Burton holds a master’s degree in business from Husson University and a bachelor’s degree in criminology from the University of Southern Maine. Chief Burton began a thirty-five-year law enforcement career as a Police Officer in the City of Portland, Maine. He progressed through the ranks over the next twenty-six-years and retired as the Chief of Police in 2008. He accepted a position as the Chief of Police in the City of Odessa, Texas where he served for almost ten years before retiring from law enforcement. He is recognized as a police policy and management expert. In addition to teaching, Chief Burton is the Criminal Justice Diversion Project manager for the National Alliance on Mental Illness in the State of Massachusetts. The Project works to improve the effectiveness of the Criminal Justice System’s response to those with mental illness and co-occurring conditions.