Legal Studies
Program Transfer Guide
Stevenson University
Effective
Fall, 2026 - Current
Instruction Methods
In person
About the Program
Stevenson University’s legal studies program was the first in the state, and one of the first in the nation, to be approved as a paralegal education program by the American Bar Association (ABA). It is the only ABA-approved bachelor’s degree paralegal education program in Maryland. The program attracts students who have logical and analytical minds, possess organizational skills, and pay attention to detail. It is excellent preparation for law school as students take many of the same classes that they will take as part of a law school curriculum. As part of the legal studies program, students will learn to perform functions such as:
- Analyzing and organizing records
- Assisting in discovery
- Conducting legal research
- Drafting contracts and real estate documents
- Drafting pleadings
- Gathering information electronically
- Incorporating entities
- Interviewing witnesses
- Investigating cases
- Managing trial preparation and litigation support
- Managing estates and guardianships
- Processing workers’ compensation claims
- Preparing intellectual property applications
The goal of the legal studies program is to fully prepare students for employment by law firms, corporate law departments, government agencies, legal aid providers, and other employers in the legal profession. Students gain extensive knowledge of numerous areas of law and practical experience to enable them to perform tasks in specific legal specialty areas. By taking a combination of law and liberal arts courses each semester, students are able to pursue their legal interests immediately and develop skills gradually.
Courses are offered weekdays and evenings. Students earn a bachelor’s degree in legal studies. Students may select a sequence of courses that permits them to focus on a specific area within the curriculum, such as corporate law, estate administration, or litigation. Students complete an internship, typically in the sophomore year, and a legal studies capstone course in their senior year. Students may participate in the law clinic, as an elective course in their major, and gain experience by providing pro bono legal services in the community. Students may also compete on Stevenson’s nationally-ranked American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) mock trial teams, for academic credit.
UPL Statement:
Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except permitted by law.
Synchronous Instruction Statement:
Students must take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.
Outcomes
Four-year Suggested Course Sequence
Courses are offered weekdays and evenings. Students earn a bachelor’s degree in legal studies. Students may select a sequence of courses that permits them to focus on a specific area within the curriculum, such as corporate law, estate administration, or litigation. Students complete an internship, typically in the sophomore year, and a legal studies capstone course in their senior year. Students may participate in the law clinic, as an elective course in their major, and gain experience by providing pro bono legal services in the community. Students may also compete on Stevenson’s nationally-ranked American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) mock trial teams, for academic credit.
UPL Statement:
Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except permitted by law.
Synchronous Instruction Statement:
Students must take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.
Outcomes
Four-year Suggested Course Sequence