As of Fall 2023, the Paralegal Studies Program, which offered a Concentration in Paralegal Studies (Major), a Paralegal Studies Minor and a Post-BA Paralegal Certificate, will no longer be accepting new enrollments.
The award winning Paralegal Studies Program, approved by the American Bar Association since 1982, offers students a balanced and varied background in theoretical and practical aspects of law, which are necessary for work as a paralegal. Over 50% of our graduates are working as paralegals. Paralegals (sometimes referred to as legal assistants or legal analysts) work under the supervision of an attorney, in a variety of areas ranging from real estate, litigation and family law to patent, trademark and estate practice.
The program develops intellectual and analytical skills, educates students for direct employment opportunities in the paralegal field, and provides additional career possibilities in combination with other majors. The Montclair State University Paralegal Studies Program was the first program at a New Jersey state college or university to receive American Bar Association approval.
With the exception of giving legal advice, making court appearances and setting fees, a paralegal may carry out many tasks. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.*
Specific objectives of the program are to:
- communicate an understanding of the overall role of the paralegal, including ethical considerations, professional responsibility and limitations upon the practice of law by legal personnel in the delivery of legal services.
- provide focused paralegal education in areas such as legal interviewing, research, writing, administrative advocacy, investigation and litigation, which are applicable in a broad range of legally related situations.
- provide substantive legal knowledge and related practical training in a wide range of legal specialty subject areas, including but not limited to: Administrative Law; Corporations and Partnerships; Employment Law; Entertainment Law; Personal Injury Law; Wills, Trusts and Probate Law; Elder Law; Family Law; Immigration Law; Real Estate Law; Criminal Law and Procedure; Contract Law; Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law; Evidence; Bankruptcy Law; Consumer Law and Dispute Resolution.
- provide students with an understanding of legal technology, including knowledge of subject-specific computer software and computer-assisted legal research via the Internet, Westlaw and LexisNexis.
- provide an internship experience whereby each student in the Paralegal Studies Program applies his or her paralegal education and skills to a direct fieldwork experience in the public or private sector.
- provide students with the opportunity and the flexibility to enroll in courses in the Paralegal Studies Program during the day or evening.
- provide well-rounded education emphasizing a proper balance between general education, law-related courses and legal specialty education.
- acquire knowledge about the broad spectrum of justice issues and be able to view issues of justice through an interdisciplinary lens.
- demonstrate their social scientific knowledge of research methods.
- demonstrate their knowledge of legal research and writing.
- demonstrate knowledge in an applied setting.
*These statements are required per the American Bar Association (ABA) guidelines.