Criminal Justice

Associate’s Degree in Paralegal

Note: Degree offered at Mankato, St. Cloud, Brooklyn Park, Eagan, Eden Prairie and Lake Elmo, MN; Ocala, Pasco and Ft. Myers, FL; Green Bay, WI; and online.

Paralegals, also called legal assistants, continue to gain a growing range of tasks in the Nation’s legal offices and perform many of the similar tasks as lawyers. An accredited Paralegal Associate's degree from Rasmussen College will prepare you for a career in the field of law. You will be ready to work closely with lawyers and produce legal documents that are adequate in the field of law.

Once you graduate with a Paralegal Associate’s degree from Rasmussen college you will know how to provide services in all phases of the legal system including courts, law firms, and government agencies, under the supervision of an attorney.

Graduates of the Paralegal Associate’s degree program are eligible to sit for the National Certified Legal Assistant/Paralegal Examination (CLA/CP Exam). After passing the CLA/CP Exam, you will be identified as a Certified Paralegal.

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Speak with an Admissions Representative at (888) 549-6755 to learn more, or you can Request More Information online.

Looking for course descriptions? Click here to download Rasmussen College's catalog.

What You Will Learn in this Program:

When you complete Rasmussen College’s Paralegal Associate degree, you will have acquired the ability to perform these tasks:

  • Understand and exhibit expected ethical behavior of a Paralegal
  • List and explain the steps involved in taking a case to trial by preparing pleadings and other litigation-related documents
  • Analyze and draft contract provisions and contracts, which conform to legal precedents
  • Display the ability to independently research legal issues
  • Demonstrate the ability to perform various forms of legal writing and prepare legal documents
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the paralegal's role in the resolution of tort (personal injury) matters by defining causes of actions, identifying the types and amounts of damages, which may be awarded, and demonstrating proper tort research techniques
  • Exhibit judgment, comprehension, and analytical ability in categorizing legal data and issues
  • Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills
  • Exhibit computer proficiency and knowledge of computer software used in the legal profession

Students in the Paralegal degree program also examine specialty courses, such as legal research and writing, torts, corporate law, litigation, criminal law, family law, and real estate.

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What Paralegals Do:

One of a Paralegal’s most important tasks is helping lawyers prepare for closings, hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. They may also:

  • Appraise and inventory real and personal property for estate planning
  • Arbitrate disputes between parties and assist in real estate closing process
  • Call upon witnesses to testify at hearing
  • Direct and coordinate law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas
  • Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents
  • Investigate facts and law of cases to determine causes of action and to prepare cases
  • Keep and monitor legal volumes to ensure that law library is up-to-date
  • Prepare affidavits or other documents, maintain document file, and file pleadings with court clerk
  • Prepare legal documents, including briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements

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Rasmussen College can help you increase your skills and professional credentials. For more information about our Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates, or any of our programs, please call us at (888) 549-6755. One of our Admissions Representatives will be happy to help you.