Curriculum

Samford University's Legal Assistant Certificate Program is the oldest Legal Studies Program in Alabama. It was the first Alabama Program to achieve American Bar Association approval. Samford University has replaced the degree previously offered in Paralegal Studies with a ten-course Legal Assistant Certificate Program. American Bar Association (ABA) guidelines require participants to either currently hold or concurrently pursue at least an associate degree. Students who currently have an associate or bachelor's degree may take the ten legal studies courses and earn the Legal Assistant Certificate. Legal specialty transfer credits are allowed only from ABA-approved institutions and a maximum of six courses are transferable for credit toward the certificate. All legal studies courses are offered for academic credit and may apply towards a degree. Students who do not currently have an associate or bachelor's degree should refer to Track 2: Legal Assistant Certificate/Administration/Community Services Concentration in the Metro Programs section. All instructors in the Legal Assistant Program are licensed attorneys or experienced paralegals.

The Program is committed to producing well educated, capable, and ethically aware graduates who, although they may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law, are prepared for careers as paralegals to attorneys in private, public, and corporate settings. Specifically, the Program goals are:

1. To train students in a practical way for careers as paralegals to attorneys.

2. To promote a basic understanding of legal concepts and terms on subjects which are important to those engaged in general practice or in specialized areas of law and to equip students with legal writing and research skills that will enable graduates to perform as skilled members of a legal team.

3. To provide a general understanding of the principles of ethical and professional responsibility as these relate to lawyers and paralegals.

4. To provide a broad background in general education for the development of educated, socially, morally and ethically aware individuals.

5. To constantly upgrade and adjust the Program to fulfill the needs of the community by seeking input from local attorneys, paralegals, and students.