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 16-24 mo As low as $60/mo
Full Program Overview
1-800-471-3232 (9AM - 9PM 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

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