The University offers its Associate of Arts in Management to help working adults prepare to meet the demands of the paralegal profession. This law-based degree is designed for career-motivated individuals and is facilitated entirely online. Students have the flexibility to complete a foundational management degree and balance it with their existing schedules. Students gain a formative understanding of litigation, ethics, real estate law, criminal law, paralegal procedures, legal research, writing, civil practice and general law. This career-relevant program provides a foundational education and attracts working adults interested in the general field of law, legal support and administration.
The online Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies stresses valuable skills such as effective writing and communication, legal reasoning and critical thinking, interpersonal and organizational management, and effective legal research practices. The University partners with industry advisory councils to verify that the curriculum keeps pace with legal industry standards and practices. Students interact online with other professionals and they learn from practitioner-instructors, many who bring extensive legal and management experience into the classroom discussion.
The following program details are intended to help you make an informed decision about the university that's right for you.
| 2011-2012 Program Completion Rate | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal time to completion for full-time student | 2 years | |||
| Graduates who completed in this time1 | 36% | |||
| Tuition & Fees as of January 1, 2013 | Median Loan Debt of 2011-2012 Graduates | |||
| Tuition (before any awarded transfer credit) | $15,500 | Federal loans5 | $0 | |
| Technology fee2 (per course) | $50 | Private educational loans | $0 | |
| Transfer Credit Evaluation fee3 (if applicable) | $50 | Institution financing plan | $0 | |
| Graduation fee | $100 | |||
| Books and supplies4 | $0 | |||
| On-campus room and board | Not applicable | |||
1 Data may be “not available” if the program has no graduates during reporting period or if it has not been in existence the normal time for completion. If 0%, then graduates in the reporting period took longer than the average time, usually because they were part-time students. 91% of our students are working adults and do not take a full-time course load. 2 A $50 Technology Fee will be charged for all future undergraduate and graduate level course registrations, including audited courses. The fee is not applicable for Comprehensive Exam courses. An APUS grant will cover the fee for Active Duty Military, Reservists, National Guard, Vocational Rehabilitation (VOCA), VA and VA Chapter 33 students, and anyone using military tuition assistance (TA). 3 Transfer Credit Evaluation Fee waived for all United States Active Duty Military, Guard, and Reserve personnel. 4 The undergraduate book grant provides textbooks, e-books, and other course materials at no cost to students for courses being taken for academic credit. Students must obtain their own software when required for a course or program. 5 This figure does not include PLUS loans or TEACH grants converted to Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans. | ||||
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American Public University System (APUS) makes no representation or guarantee that successful completion of an APUS program or coursework will result in employment within a particular field. Many employers take into account various criteria, in addition to education, when determining eligibility for employment. To assist our students in their career search, the APUS Office of Career Services provides students and alumni a variety of tools, resources, information, and guidance to assist them as they pursue their life goals.
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