SINCE 1987

Bachelor of Arts: Law and Business

BA Business and Law

Designed to help paralegals enhance and advance their careers.

The Bachelor of Arts: Law and Business paralegal degree program provides students with the additional knowledge and skills essential to furthering their chosen careers. Whether they seek to enhance their existing paralegal career, qualify for jobs that require a 4-year degree, or want to pursue opportunities in the business sector, this degree plan can help further their career objectives.
 

Designed primarily for graduates of paralegal programs

Whether you are a graduate of Center for Advanced Legal Studies (CALS) or another accredited paralegal program, this bachelor’s degree program has been designed for you! If you are interested in beginning your paralegal studies, CALS offers both a Paralegal Certificate and an Associate of Applied Science Degree Paralegal Program whose credits transfer directly into this bachelor’s degree.

Students begin where their previous studies ended by transferring in prior credits from their paralegal certificate* or degree program and then taking only those courses necessary to satisfy the bachelor’s degree requirements. Combined with one’s previous paralegal education and training, graduates of this bachelor’s degree program will be ready for more opportunities that come their way.

Those interested in pursuing this bachelor’s degree program are encouraged to submit their application and then schedule a time to meet with an admissions representative for a consultation.

* Programs must be accredited to be eligible for credit transfer

Program Objectives:

  • Obtain knowledge and skills that promote career advancement opportunities
  • Develop an enhanced understanding of substantive and procedural legal principles and practices
  • Exhibit advanced legal research and writing skills
  • Acquire a working knowledge of essential business concepts and practices
  • Demonstrate effective communication skills and the ability to interact professionally
  • Become familiar with technology currently employed in the legal and business communities
  • Strengthen understanding of legal and business ethical standards and principles
Course Level Requirements Semester Credit Hours Included in AAS Degree Program
Required Core Occupational Courses 42 30
Lower Division (1000/2000) Law electives 9 9
Upper Division (3000/4000) Law electives 9 0
Upper Division (3000/4000) Business electives 12 0
Academic General Education Courses 30 21
Other Required Courses 6 0
Additional Electives (Law and/or Business) 12 0
TOTAL 120 60

Curriculum

The Bachelor of Arts: Law and Business program consists of a combination of law (paralegal), business, criminal justice, and general education courses. Students who have prior credit should request official college transcripts and have them sent directly to Center for Advanced Legal Studies for evaluation during enrollment.

Required Core Courses General Education Courses Lower Division Law Electives
(42 Semester Credit Hours) (30 Semester Credit Hours) (9 Semester Credit Hours | 3 Courses)
Introduction to Law and Ethics English Composition I Interviewing and Investigation
Criminal Law and Procedure English Composition II Wills, Trusts and Probate
Legal Research and Writing Introduction to Sociology Intellectual Property
Corporate and Business Law Introduction to Speech Communication E-Discovery
Civil Procedure Contemporary Mathematics Immigration Law
Computers and the Law General Psychology Advanced Civil Procedure
Contracts American Government I Advanced Research and Writing
Personal Injury Anatomy & Physiology I Oil and Gas Law
Family Law Principles of Economics
Real Estate Law Comparative Politics
Introduction to Business
Accounting Principles
Business Communication
Management
Upper Division Law Electives Upper Division Business Courses Other Required Courses
(9 Semester Credit Hours | 3 Courses) (12 Semester Credit Hours | 4 Courses) (18 Semester Credit Hours | 6 Courses)
Administrative Law Marketing Introduction to Criminal Justice
Bankruptcy Law Business Ethics Criminology
Legal Ethics Human Resources
Employment Law Finance
Constitutional Law and Civil Liberties Project Management Students complete their program by selecting an additional 12 semester credit hours from Law and/or Business electives in addition to the criminal justice courses listed above.
International Business

All students must take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction. The required synchronous instruction can take place through traditional classroom face to face instruction or through remote synchronous instruction that includes in real time faculty-to-student and student-to-student interaction.

Bachelor's Degree Tuition and Fees
Tuition (120 sem. hours @ $375/credit hour) *$45,000.00
Registration Fee 100.00
Learning Resources 1,400.00
Student e-Services 2,200.00
Total $48,700.00

Students who have completed accredited certificate or associate degree programs at CALS or other institutions will be able to transfer credits to reduce the time and cost of the degree. Your admission representative can provide an individualized consultation and transcript evaluation.

For a detailed overview of the history and development of this program please see https://www.paralegal.edu/blog/bachelor-of-arts-law-and-business-degree