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Legal Studies

Admissions

Legal Studies Program Admissions and Transfer Credit Policies

Enrollment and Entrance Requirements

Applicants to the Paralegal Studies Program, which is approved by the American Bar Association, must be accepted to Clayton State through the Office of Admissions.

1. Paralegal Certificate Program
   • Applicants to the Paralegal Certificate Program must have already earned at least 60 semester hours (or 90 quarter hours) of college credit, of which at least 18 semester credits/27 quarter credits are general education courses in at least 3 different areas, such as English, Math, Science, Social Sciences.
   • If you already possess a bachelor's degree, then you do not need to contact an advisor before applying to Clayton State.
   • If you do not have a bachelor's degree, but think that you have earned enough prior college credits to be eligible for the Paralegal Certificate Program, you must contact us for a preliminary records review. The preliminary records review is not a formal admissions determination.
   • Admission to the Paralegal Studies Program is handled through the Clayton State Admissions Office. Paralegal Certificate Program students should also look into HOPE Grant eligibility. Contact the Financial Aid Office for details.
2. B.S. Legal Studies Degree and A.A.S. Paralegal Studies Degree
   • The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Legal Studies and the Associates of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Paralegal Studies are open to applicants who do not qualify for (or who choose not to enter) the Paralegal Certificate Program. You should indicate on your application to Clayton State that you are applying for the B.S. degree or the A.A.S. degree in Paralegal Studies.
   • HOPE Grant does not cover B.S. or A.A.S. majors, although HOPE Scholarship, PELL Grant, or other financial aid might be available. Contact the Clayton State Financial Aid Office for details. Graduates of an A.A.S. Degree may pursue a 4-year Bachelors of Applied Science (B.A.S.) degree in Administrative Management or may decide to pursue the B.S. degree in Paralegal Studies (however, there will be some lost credits if students do this, so it is best to speak with an advisor to fully understand your options).
3. Office Technology Program Legal Office Track Certificate – leads to A.A.S. Degree in Office Administration – leads to B.A.S. in Administrative Management
   • Applicants who do not qualify for the Paralegal Certificate Program, but who want to benefit from HOPE Grant, may declare their major as Office Technology Legal Office Track Certificate. This Certificate leads to an A.A.S. in Office Administration. The Office Technology Program is not part of the Paralegal Program, and paralegal courses are not covered by HOPE Grant in this major. Contact Joan Bass at (678) 466-4633 for more information. The purpose of this program is to train people to become legal secretaries and other support staff in a law office setting. This program does not train people to become paralegals.

General Admissions and Financial Aid Information

Policy on transfer credits for Paralegal/Legal Assistant Courses:

Although general education courses from other schools are typically accepted by our Registrar's Office, the Legal Studies Program generally does not accept transfer credit for paralegal/legal assistant career-specific courses. The following guidelines outline our policy with regard to transfer credit for paralegal/legal assistant career-specific courses:

1. The course credits must be from an ABA-approved Paralegal or Legal Assistant program in a regionally accredited institution whose credits will transfer to CSU (the CSU Registrar’s Office determines which school’s credits are eligible for transfer to CSU);
2. The student must have earned a grade of “C” or higher in any class for which transfer credit is sought;
3. The class must have been taken within the immediate one (1) year prior to enrolling at CSU;
4. No legal research or legal writing courses are transferable to CSU;
5. The student must comply with CSU residency requirements as contained in the CSU Academic Catalog; and
6. The student must provide the CSU Paralegal Studies Program Coordinator and the CSU Registrar’s Office with a copy of a course description and syllabus for every class for which transfer credit is sought. Whether a paralegal/legal assistant course is transferable to CSU is subject to the discretion of the CSU Registrar’s Office and the Legal Studies Program Coordinator. The CSU Registrar’s Office and the Paralegal Studies Program Coordinator reserve the right to request additional course materials on any class for which transfer credit is sought. Transfer credit may only be given for courses that are equivalent in content and credit hours.