Paralegal A.A.S.

SUNY Schenectady’s Paralegal two-year A.A.S. program is designed for students who want to enter the workforce upon completion of an applied program of study or transfer to four-year pre-law or liberal arts programs.

Nearly two-thirds of the required courses for this program are in core legal specialties subjects, which provide students with a broad academic background in law.

The program prepares graduates for careers as paralegals in law firms, banking and corporate legal offices, non-profits, county clerk’s offices, and the judicial system.

The faculty are all former or current practicing attorneys.

Eligible SUNY Schenectady Paralegal majors may enhance their classroom experience by completing 135 hours of field work in a supervised professional setting by enrolling in PAL 250, Paralegal Internship.

Although legal assistants or paralegals are qualified by education, training or work experience to assist a lawyer in the performance of specifically delegated legal work, they are cautioned not to engage in the unlicensed practice of law.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• Demonstrate foundational knowledge of legal systems, including the structure and function of courts, sources of law, and the role of administrative and international legal frameworks.
• Apply legal research and writing skills to locate, interpret, and communicate legal information effectively in professional legal documents.
• Evaluate legal issues in specialized areas of law to develop reasoned arguments and propose appropriate legal solutions.

Transfer Credits

To ensure the integrity and continuity of the SUNY Schenectady Paralegal program and to comply with external accreditation policies, no more than three (3) legal specialty (PAL) courses may be granted credit by transfer or by alternative credit sources. No transfer credit may be granted for Courts and Litigation (PAL 114) except from an appropriate New York State institution.