Program Goals and Outcomes

Paralegal Online Degree Goals and Outcomes

Penn Foster's Paralegal Associate Degree Program is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions as paralegals or legal assistants by providing a broad college-level curriculum. Our Paralegal online degree also serves to meet requirements for promotions and additional careers, while providing a strong foundation for further training. Additionally, graduates will qualify to sit for the Certified Paralegal exam offered through NALA. 

Paralegal Studies

Associate Degree 5 months As low as $59/mo
Full Program Overview
1-800-471-3232 (10AM - 6:30PM EST)

Program Goal

To prepare students for entry-level positions as paralegals or legal assistants or to provide a foundation for further training.

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to...

  • Demonstrate effective written and interpersonal communication skills
  • Demonstrate a high level of inquiry, analytical, and problem-solving skills
  • Demonstrate effective quantitative skills
  • Demonstrate computer and information literacy
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the liberal arts, natural sciences, and social sciences
  • Discuss the legal system in the United States, including the origins and history of the law and the development of common law, statutory law, and constitutional law
  • Understand when communications with clients and others are privileged and how to avoid conflicts of interest
  • Recognize and use legal terminology appropriately
  • Recognize ethical violations and understand ethical rules that regulate conduct of lawyers and paralegals
  • Identify the paralegal's role in the interview process and discuss proper investigation techniques, including interviewing clients and witnesses and understanding types of testamentary evidence
  • Discuss torts and defenses to tort actions and understand negligence, liability, and workers' compensation
  • Describe different forms of business organization, the elements of contracts and rules pertaining to contracts, ownership of property, creditors and bankruptcy, and the law of agency
  • Write an effective legal memorandum; state and characterize facts and legal arguments to best advance a legal position
  • Research primary and secondary sources to determine relevant case law, find statutes and other information from appropriate sources using Lexis.com and other Internet sources, and correctly cite sources
  • Understand jurisdiction, venue, and evidence law; describe some important hearsay exceptions
  • Understand how to prepare, file, and serve complaints and motions
  • Explain criminal law and procedure, the elements of crimes, criminal defense, and the role of the Constitution
  • Discuss the fundamental principles of law dealing with marriage, divorce, and parenthood
  • Understand the paralegal's role in real estate transactions, including contracts, title abstraction, deeds, mortgages, closing documents, and leases; prepare preliminary drafts of commonly used documents
  • Discuss the responsibilities of practicing paralegals in the field of wills, trusts, and estate administration, including preparing preliminary drafts of wills and trusts

Need more info or ready to enroll?

We're here to help. Call 1-800-471-3232 10AM - 6:30PM EST

Get Started
Request Info Enroll Now