Admission to these programs generally requires:
The minimum admission requirement for the postbaccalaureate (noncredit) certificate is completion
of the equivalent of an associate's degree from an accredited
institution (60 credit hours). Bachelors' degrees are highly
encouraged, as legal employers in larger metropolitan settings
often require them.
Admissions decisions to the postbaccalaureate (noncredit) certificate are made on a rolling basis
each semester. Applicants are encouraged to have their completed
applications mailed six weeks prior to the start
of each semester:
-
The fall semester generally starts in late August
-
The spring semester generally starts in mid January
-
The summer semester generally starts in mid May
For more detailed admissions information and specific
instructions on the postbaccalaureate (noncredit) certificate, please consult the latest application
form (pdf). Or call (315-443-3299) or email SULAP@syr.edu.
Requirements
The degree program requires 120 credit hours with 32
credit hours in Legal Studies. For further information on the
legal studies program, visit www.
yesu.syr.edu/employers/lap, or call 315-443-3261 to set up an appointment with an academic
advisor.
The postbaccalaureate (noncredit) certificate program requires the successful
completion of the seven required courses listed below plus one
elective:
-
Introduction to Legal Systems and Legal Ethics
-
Legal Research and Writing
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Law Office Technology
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Tort Law
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Contracts and Commercial Law
-
Property and Real Estate
-
Civil Practice and Litigation
The degree and certificate legal courses meet
together and are offered in the evenings. They usually meet
once a week, for three or four hours a session. Semesters are
generally 15 weeks long (slightly shorter in the summer semester).
The credit certificate is 26 credit hours. The postbaccalaureate (noncredit) certificate program
is 390 instructional (50-minute) hours long, or the
equivalent of 26 credit hours.
National Honor Society
Syracuse University has been granted a chapter of the National
Honor Society in Legal Assistant/Paralegal Studies by the American
Association for Paralegal Education: Lambda Epsilon Chi.
Eligible degree and certificate students may be inducted into
this honor society in recognition of their superior academic
achievement.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for the degree and credit certificate program is set
each academic year. Consult the University College Tuition & Fees web site, or call our main number at 315-443-3261 for current information.
Tuition for the postbaccalaureate (noncredit) certificate program
is 60% of the University College undergraduate tuition rate.
Call our office at 315-443-3299 or email us at SULAP@syr.edu
for current tuition information.
Financial Aid
For information, call the University College Financial Aid Office
at 315-443-3261 or visit the Financial
Aid web site regarding aid Sources for Undergraduate, Certificate,
and Non-Matriculated Students:
-
Legal Studies undergraduate students are eligible for
financial aid. Consult with the financial aid office for
required forms and information.
-
Certificate students are not eligible for Federal Financial
Aid, nor any University College Grants.
-
Certificate students may qualify for alternative loans.
These loans are based on the students credit worthiness,
and may require the student to have a co-signer.
-
Students may obtain alternative loan information from
the Financial Aid Office.
Syracuse University does not offer scholarships specifically for legal studies students. There are however two national paralegal scholarships that interested students are encouraged to investigate. Application forms and information will be on the web each year when the scholarship is announced. See the information below:
American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) LEX Scholarship
Application Deadline: Applications usually due in February. Information available in the fall on the website.
Amount: $500
Five scholarships are awarded. Interested students should contact AAfPE at info@aafpe.org regarding further details.
National Federation of Paralegal Associations West Scholarship
Application Deadline: Applications usually due in July. Information available in the spring on the website.
Amount: $3,500 and $1,500
Two scholarships are awarded: one in the amount of $3500 and one in the amount of $1500. Winners’ expenses to the NFPA Convention are also paid.
Transfer Credit
Transfer credit for paralegal or legal assistant courses from
other institutions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis,
unless an articulation
agreement with Syracuse University (SU) is in place. Two-year
programs that are American Bar Association (ABA) approved, institutional
members of the American Association for Paralegal Education
(AAfPE), and/or approved by a major regional accrediting body
are urged to contact the program
director regarding establishing articulation agreements.
Courses from other programs that are ABA approved,
institutional members of AAfPE, and/or approved by a major regional
accrediting body will receive careful consideration for transfer
credit to fulfill certificate or degree requirements. Courses
from these types of institutions that are college level and
of similar length, complexity, and subject matter subject to
existing SU courses will receive the strongest consideration.
Any requests for transfer credit must be submitted to the program
director in writing.
Remitted Tuition
Syracuse University employees and other eligible persons may
use remitted tuition for the Legal Studies Program on a course
for course basis. Syracuse University reserves the right to
refuse or restrict the use of remitted tuition for certain workshop
courses, noncredit courses, and special programs. For this program,
remitted tuition benefits are available to defer payments up
to 12 semester units per year. Call our office at 315-443-3299
for further information.