The American Bar Association approves this program, and graduates can sit for the NALA CP® Exam to become certified paralegals upon graduation. The Legal Studies program prepares students for challenging and diverse careers in private law practices and the law-related areas of business, industry, and government. The goals of the Legal Studies program are to enable students, through theoretical and practical legal education, to understand the function of law, to work as legal assistants and paralegals in the effective delivery of legal services, and to enhance the legal profession. This program is designed to equip students with skills to analyze legal issues and perform various activities, including drafting legal documents, interviewing clients, conducting legal research, and preparing cases for trial. Students utilize current technology through internet research and legal and general office software applications. Legal Studies students receive the necessary legal training to take advantage of new career opportunities in all sectors of the economy. Students are exposed to the principles of legal ethics and are cautioned regarding restrictions against the unauthorized practice of law by laypersons. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.

Our American Bar Association approval requires that this certificate be earned along with an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree. This does not apply to students who already have baccalaureate degrees. 

General Certificate Requirements

Additional requirements for graduation can be found on the Degree/Certificate Requirements for Graduation page. 

Unless otherwise noted in individual program requirements, a minimum grade point average of 2.00 in all work attempted at the University of Montana-Missoula is required for graduation. Please see the Academic Policies and Procedures page for information on how your GPA is calculated.

Courses taken to satisfy the requirements of a major, minor, or certificate program must be completed with a grade of C- or better unless a higher grade is noted in the program requirements.

Online Program Option

This program may be completed in an online format. Students interested in pursuing an online degree or certificate program are strongly encouraged to contact the offering department to discuss specific program and course modalities and create a plan of study with an academic advisor. The course requirements listed below may not be consistently offered via online delivery.

One Year Plan

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Autumn		Hours
COMX 111A	Introduction to Public Speaking	3
LEG 183	Contracts	2
LEG 184E	Legal Ethics	3
LEG 185	Introduction Paralegal Studies	2
LEG 187	Legal Research & Writing I	3
LEG 191	Special Topics	2
	Hours	15
Spring
LEG 188	Principles of Real Estate	2
LEG 189	Criminal Procedures	3
LEG 270	Civil Litigation	3
LEG 286	Legal Research & Writing II	3
LEG 298	Paralegal Studies Internship	2
PSCI 210S	Intro to American Government	3
	Hours	16
	Total Hours	31

Last updated Fall 2025