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Description
Located next to Government Center in downtown Boston, the Applied Legal Studies (ALS) Program at Suffolk University offers three programs:
- Bachelor's degree in Applied Legal Studies
- Associate's degree in Paralegal Studies
- Certificate in Paralegal Studies
Please note that a degree in ALS does not enable a person to practice law or give legal advice; only licensed attorneys can perform these functions.
CareersThe paralegal profession is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States. As the only ABA-approved paralegal studies program in Boston, Suffolk's Applied Legal Studies program will give you a leg up in the field. More and more employers choose to hire only graduates of ABA-approved paralegal studies programs.
Paralegals are not licensed to practice law independently, but work as valued members of legal teams under the supervision of one or more attorneys. They conduct investigations, draft legal documents, maintain legal records, prepare pleadings, work with witnesses, perform legal research, and do a variety of other tasks at law offices, corporations, government agencies, and insurance companies.
Mission StatementTo provide students with a core of legal knowledge and critical thinking, organization, communication, ethics, and interpersonal skills which will enhance the student's ability to function effectively and ethically in a legal environment, or to pursue higher education.
Student Learning GoalsUpon completing the program, the student will:
Detailed Course Facts
Application deadline February 15, 2015 Tuition fee Not specified Start date 2016 Credits 126 creditsStudents must complete a minimum of 126 credits for graduation. Languages Take an IELTS test
- English
Course Content
Students may pursue either a BA or BS in Applied Legal Studies. Students must complete 10 courses (40 credits) in their ALS major and the required courses for the chosen degree. Of the ten major courses, students must take seven required courses and may choose three of the ALS electives offered.
Students are encouraged to take Introduction to American Democracy in their first year and save Applied Legal Studies major courses for the sophomore year and beyond; many ALS courses require sophomore status.
Transfer students from non-ABA approved programs working toward a bachelors degree in applied legal studies must take at least six ALS courses while in residence at Suffolk University.
Transfer students from an ABA-approved program must take at least five ALS courses while in residence at Suffolk University.
Required Courses (7 courses, 28 credits)
- GVT-110 Introduction to American Democracy
Credits:
4.00
Description:
An introduction to the American political system and constitutional framework. Focus will be on the interplay of various institutions (the Presidency, Congress and the Judiciary) in creating public policies. Contemporary public issues will be discussed, as will the role of political theory in shaping American democracy. Attention will be given to the role of the news media, public opinion, political ideology, political parties and interest groups in the American system.
Type:
Social Science,BSJ SOCIAL SCIENCE
- ALS-360 Fundamentals of Paralegal Practice
Credits:
4.00
Description:
Introduces the student to the responsibilities of paralegals and to the culture of the legal profession. Topics include the development of paralegalism as a profession, the definition of the practice of law, ethical considerations, interviewing techniques, legal research, law office management, and client relationships. Normally offered each semester.
- ALS-361 Legal Research & Writing I
Credits:
4.00
Description:
How to use the law library, perform legal research, write legal analysis in memorandum form, and use computers as a research tool. Initial focus is on learning how to find legal materials, including federal and state case law, statutory law, and administrative law. Use of finding tools such as digests, encyclopedias, and CALR will be studied, as will Shepardizing. Focus also on legal writing, from letters through case analysis. Normally offered fall semester. Sophomore Status Required
- ALS-362 Litigation
Credits:
4.00
Description:
The Rules of Civil Procedure dictate the steps taken in state and federal lawsuits. This course will acquaint students with rules and the practical requirements of the rules, from filing a complaint to clarifying a judgment and to the duties of paralegals in a litigation office. Normally offered each semester.
Type:
Social Science
- ALS-363 Law of Contracts
Credits:
4.00
Description:
The existence and validity of a contract is determined by specific rules. Students will learn about formation through offer and acceptance, contract enforceability, the necessity of consideration, and breach of contract and will draft contract provisions as a paralegal might in a law office. Normally offered each semester. Sophomore status required.
Type:
Social Science
- ALS-381 Paralegal Internship
Prerequisites:
Senior standing and at least 15 hours of paralegal courses, or instructor's permission.
Credits:
4.00
Description:
A one-semester internship in either a law office, a governmental agency, insurance company, or a for-profit or non-profit corporation, depending on the positions available during each semester. Once a week seminars will discuss such topics as ethical considerations in a law office, experiences gained as a paralegal interns, and seeking paralegal employment. For specific placements/information, students must contact the Director of Paralegal Studies prior to the start of each semester. Prerequisites: Senior status and at least 15 hours of Paralegal Studies or permission of instructor. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered spring and summer. ECR
Type:
Expanded Classroom Requirement
- ALS-385 Legal Research & Writing II
Prerequisites:
Take ALS-361;
Credits:
4.00
Description:
Building on the skills in ALS 361 - Legal Research & Writing I, this course continues the focus on learning how to find legal materials and how to summarize research results. Writing skills will be strengthened through various exercises and revisions. Skill development in legal analysis, writing legal memoranda, and using computer assisted legal research with Westlaw and Lexis will be emphasized. Normally offered spring semester.
Elective Courses (3 courses, 12 credits)
Choose 3 of the following courses:
- ALS-265 Law and Ethics
Credits:
4.00
Description:
Ethical issues are central in law for lawyers, paralegals, judges, jurors and anyone working within or touched by the legal system. This course examines philosophical questions, practical issues, and social theories of law, primarily through the use of legal materials, to analyze legal ethical theory. The course considers how major theories are characterized within the American legal system, including the presumption of innocence, due process guarantees, the right to counsel, and other fundamental legal concepts. Normally offered alternate years.
Type:
Social Science
- ALS-266 Criminal Law
Credits:
4.00
Description:
This course examines criminal law in the United States from a broad perspective. It will present the general principles and doctrines that affect the whole criminal law, such as elements of criminal offenses, defenses to crime, and perspectives on crime and criminal law. In addition, students will learn the elements of specific crimes, such as homicide, criminal sexual conduct, terrorism and related crimes, crimes against public morals, and crimes against property. Discussions of the direction of the criminal law and constitutional limitations on government will be presented as preparation for future study.
Type:
Cultural Diversity Opt A
- ALS-365 Wills and Probate
Prerequisites:
Take ALS-264 or ALS-360 or Instructor's permission
Credits:
4.00
Description:
State laws affect the disposition of an individual's estate at death, and upon death, the estate must be probated in court. Focus on estate information gathering, drafting of wills, and the probate of estates for those with and without wills. Emphasis on the role of the paralegal in a law office handling wills and probate. Prerequisites: ALS 360 or 363 or permission of instructor. 1 term - 4 credits. Normally offered yearly.
- ALS-366 Corporate Law
Prerequisites:
Take ALS-264 or ALS-360 or instructor's permission
Credits:
4.00
Description:
Corporations are unique business entities and specialized citizens of the state. This course will examine the special rules for establishing and maintaining a corporation, including the nature of corporations and their legal relationships with governments, individuals, and other business entities. Students will learn about the role of paralegals in corporate law offices, including document management and production, corporate litigation processes, and maintaining corporate compliance. Normally offered alternate years.
- ALS-368 Real Estate Law
Credits:
4.00
Description:
This course will present common law real estate principles and the effect of federal agencies on the buying and selling of real property. Sample forms including leases, purchase and sale agreements, and closing forms are reviewed and drafted. Normally offered alternate years.
- ALS-369 Family Law
Prerequisites:
Take ALS-264 or ALS-360;
Credits:
4.00
Description:
Family law includes marriage, divorce, support, custody, property division, and abuse prevention petitions. Essentially an area of state law, it is often the backbone of general practice law firms. The role of paralegals in a family law office will be studied. Normally offered yearly.
- ALS-370 Administrative Law and Worker's Compensation
Prerequisites:
Take ALS-360 or ALS-362
Credits:
4.00
Description:
Federal and state administrative agencies such as FTC, NLRB, and EEOC are extensive sources of law. Familiarity with these agencies is useful in many areas where a paralegal might work. Additionally, Worker's Compensation law is uniquely suited to assist the student in acquiring a practical understanding of the administrative law area, and its legal, administrative, economic, and social foundations will be studied. Normally offered alternate years.
- ALS-374 Torts: Personal Injury Law
Credits:
4.00
Description:
Many civil suits arise when the negligence of an individual creates injury to another. Elements of negligence law and specific types of cases such as automobile accidents and medical malpractice will be studied, with an emphasis on practical aspects of drafting and research for the prospective paralegal. Normally offered yearly.
- ALS-375 Technology and the Law
Prerequisites:
Take ALS-362
Credits:
4.00
Description:
The role of computers and software in the law office as it affects the paralegal Lectures and hands-on applications will focus on the changing technology of computer hardware through fact scenarios that students will use to track changes from introduction to resolution in litigation. Focus on software applications involving word processing, spreadsheets, billing, diary and scheduling, research, and use of the Internet. Normally offered alternate years.
- ALS-378 Advanced Litigation & Trial Practice
Prerequisites:
ALS 362, or permission of instructor
Credits:
4.00
Description:
Building on the skills introduced in ALS 362, Civil Litigation, this course will provide a thorough study of the rules of evidence, the process of discovery, and the preparation of a case for a trial, as well as the roles of arbitration, mediation, and negotiation in litigation and other legal disputes. Theory will be combined with practical applications for prospective paralegals, such as deposition abstracting, gathering and preserving evidence, and techniques on how to prepare a case for ADR. Normally offered yearly.
- ALS-383 Immigration Law
Prerequisites:
Take ALS-264 or ALS-360;
Credits:
4.00
Description:
Study of the immigration and nationality laws of the United States focusing on the interplay of the administrative agencies which administer those laws: Justice Department, Labor Department, and State Department. Topics include the immigrant selection system; the issuance of non-immigrant visas; grounds for excluding aliens and waiver of excludability; grounds for removal; change of status, and refugee and asylum status. Special emphasis on the paralegal's role in representing and communicating sensitively with aliens. Normally offered yearly.
- ALS-384 Intellectual Property
Prerequisites:
Take ALS-264 or ALS-360;
Credits:
4.00
Description:
A survey of the law of the protection of ideas, trade secrets, inventions, artistic creations, and reputation. The course will briefly review the bases for patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret protection, the distinction among the various forms of intellectual property, and the statutory and common law methods of enforcing rights. Normally offered yearly.
- ALS-390 Employment & Labor Law
Prerequisites:
Take ALS-264 or ALS-360; or instructor's permission
Credits:
4.00
Description:
The nature of the employment relationship and and overview of constitutional and federal statutory provisions that affect the employment relationship will be studied. Particular emphasis on the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Statutory provisions regarding benefits and employment-related entitlements will also be studied. Normally offered yearly.
- ALS-391 Domestic Violence, Abuse & Neglect
Prerequisites:
Take ALS-264 or ALS-360; or instructor's permission
Credits:
4.00
Description:
An opportunity to learn the history of domestic violence including battering, child abuse and child neglect, and the legal response to it. Focus will be on Massachusetts Law and its response, especially the Abuse Prevention Act, its application and enforcement, and on laws protecting children from abuse and neglect. Filings, law office issues and special issues in dealing with battered women and abused and neglected children will be included with the psychological issues, cultural issues, and advocacy possibilities. Normally offered yearly. Sophomore status required. Cultural Diversity A
Type:
Cultural Diversity Opt A
- ALS-396 International Law
English Language Requirements
TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test : 77
To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to
take an IELTS test. More About IELTSRequirements
We do not use specific minimums for scores or grades in the decision process, but weigh all factors together to gain a whole view of you and your potential for success as a Suffolk University student:
- Level and range of high school courses selected
- Grades achieved (official high school transcript with senior year grades)
- SAT or ACT scores (our code is 3771)
- Recommendations (two required; one from a guidance counselor, one from a teacher)
- The essay
- Other required forms
- Admission interview (optional)
- Transfer students should view the transfer requirements page for more details.
In high school, you should have completed:
- Four units of English
- Three units of mathematics (algebra I and II and geometry)
- Two units of science (at least one with a lab)
- Two units of language
- One unit of American history
- Four units distributed among other college preparatory electives
We may also consider other factors in the review process, such as:
- Class rank
- Honors courses
- AP courses
We are also very interested in personal qualities that will offer us further insights into you as an applicant, including:
- Admission interview
- Extracurricular involvement
- Community service
- Special interests
Work Experience
No work experience is required.
Related Scholarships*
- Academic Excellence Scholarship
"The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."
- Alumni Study Travel Fund
Scholarships for students who are already attending the University of Reading.
- Amsterdam Merit Scholarships
The University of Amsterdam aims to attract the world’s brightest students to its international classrooms. Outstanding students from outside the European Economic Area can apply for an Amsterdam Merit Scholarship.
* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than Suffolk University.
