Our ABA Approved Legal Studies program is committed to preparing students for rewarding careers in the legal profession. Through engaging instruction, practical learning experiences, and teaching strategies designed to support a variety of learning styles, students gain the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to succeed.
Our curriculum emphasizes strong oral and written communication, critical thinking, legal analysis, and problem-solving strategies. We integrate instruction on ethics and professionalism throughout every course, preparing graduates to meet the high standards of integrity and responsibility expected in today’s legal workplace.
Upon completion of the associate of applied science degree program andor the post baccalaureate certificate, graduates in Legal Studies at Athens Technical College shall be able to:
- Utilize appropriate legal terminology in written and oral communication.
- Produce legal documents.
- Apply legal concepts to factual situations.
- Conduct legal research.
- Identify ethical issues and adhere to ethical standards expected of paralegals
Paralegals and Legal Assistants have consistently appeared on the State of Georgia High Demand Career List. This list was established under Governor Brian Kemp by HB 982 and is used by businesses and workforce development programs across the state. This list includes “high-demand jobs that offer livable wages and require a postsecondary or industry-recognized
credential and/or significant on-the job training” (https://www.tcsg.edu/ga-high-demand/)
Legal Studies Associate Degree students must complete one six-hour Internship course, and they have the option to complete a second Internship course that replaces two Legal Studies electives. Potential internship site locations include law firms, government agencies, non-profits, and corporations.
Legal Studies educations at Athens Technical College prepares a student to work in multiple positions in the legal profession, including working as a traditional paralegal in a law firm, working in a governmental agency, or working in the legal department of a large corporations. In addition, completing our Legal Studies program is excellent preparation for someone who wishes to go to law school.
*Legal Studies Program Policies and Disclaimers:
- Students must complete a minimum of twelve (12) semester hours of Legal Studies courses at Athens Technical College. In addition, degree students must take LGST 2210 at Athens Technical College.
- Students must take at least nine (9) semester credit hours of required Legal Studies legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.
- Athens Technical College will only consider for transfer credit those Legal Studies courses taken at ABA Approved schools.
- Paralegals shall not engage in the unauthorized practice of law as per O.C.G.A § 15-19-51 and
must work under the supervision of an attorney in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia.
Specific Facility, Tools Or Educational Tools Available
We strive to provide students with exposure to a multitude of legal technologies including software related to case filing, litigation support, law office management, and legal research. There is a $25 program fee for every Legal Studies course. These fees help to fund the Lexis subscription that all students receive once they enroll in the LGST 1100, Introduction to Law and Ethicscourse, and which students have access to while enrolled in the program.
