Department Contact:
Pre-Law Advisor, Dr. Joseph A. Melusky, 814-472-3060, jmelusky@francis.edu
Program Description:
To earn a paralegal minor, a student must successfully complete a minimum of six courses (18 credits total). Students must successfully complete the core curriculum composed of four courses (12 credits) and two elective courses (6 credits). Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
There are no prerequisites for course enrollment. Students are encouraged, however, to take PRL 401 , Basic Legal Principles, as the first or one of the first courses in the minor.
The minor can be combined with any major. Students who are seeking a second bachelor’s degree from Saint Francis University can enroll in the paralegal minor certificate program as well.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Critical Thinking: Students will develop the ability to think critically about information, theories, concepts, problems, issues, institutions and processes of politics, government, and law.
- Citizenship: Students will develop a deeper and fuller understanding of political and legal processes, acquiring a solid conceptual foundation that can be built upon in their lives as citizens.
- Career Preparation: Students will be prepared to work in law offices and law-related setting following their graduation from SFU. Students can use such law-related placements as a “bridge year” during which they sample the legal profession and decide whether they want to attend law school.
- Law-related Networking and Advising: Classes are taught by judges, practicing attorneys, and legal professionals who bring direct experiences to the classroom and who provide additional advice to students who are considering legal careers.
Estimated Completion Time:
Completion time varies but typically completed during four years of full-time study.
Total Credits Required:
18 credits, some of which can count towards major requirements
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