B
Bachelor’s degree
- Length
- 120 credit hours, normally 40 courses of three credit hours, including a graduation project.
- Entry
- A secondary school certificate or its equivalent, and documented work experience in the field.
- Status
- In preparation
- Levels
- Bachelor's
- Credit hours
- 120
- Delivery
- Fully online
- Experience
- Assessed course by course
- Status
- In preparation
Overview
About the program
For legal assistants and administrators who prepare cases, contracts and filings. You learn legal research, drafting and how legal procedures run.
The Paralegal Studies program is designed for people who already work in the field. It covers introduction to law, legal research and writing, contract drafting, civil procedure, legal ethics, and ends with document and case management.
Like every Madison program, it is built for working adults. Courses you already master through your work are tested and recorded with a grade; the rest you study online, at your own pace, with tasks carried out in your own workplace.
In preparation. This program is not open for enrollment yet. It opens when its curriculum and courses are in place on the learning platform.
Outcomes
What you will be able to do
- 01Introduction to lawExplain the core ideas of introduction to law and use them to read real situations at work.
- 02Legal research and writingAnalyse a real problem in legal research and writing and recommend a course of action backed by evidence.
- 03Contract draftingApply the methods of contract drafting in your own organization and measure the result.
- 04Civil procedurePlan and lead work in civil procedure, and document your decisions to a professional standard.
- 05Legal ethicsEvaluate current practice in legal ethics against recognised standards and propose improvements.
- 06Document and case managementAdvise colleagues and managers on document and case management in clear, well-structured writing.
Curriculum
What you will study
The main areas of the curriculum. Your personal study plan lists the exact courses, their credit hours and those you may claim through assessment.
- 01Introduction to lawThe legal system, court structure and the main areas of law.Core area
- 02Legal research and writingResearching the law and writing clear legal memos and opinions.Core area
- 03Contract draftingDrafting clear, enforceable contracts and standard documents.Core area
- 04Civil procedureThe stages of a civil case from claim to judgment.Core area
- 05Legal ethicsProfessional conduct, confidentiality and conflicts of interest.Core area
- 06Document and case managementOrganizing files, deadlines and evidence in a legal office.Core area
Levels
Levels, length and entry
Your experience
How your experience counts
- 01
Send your record
Your CV, certificates and evidence of work are mapped to the courses of this program.
- 02
Sit the course tests
Each course you claim is tested on its own. A pass is recorded on your transcript with its grade.
- 03
Study the rest
The remaining courses become your personal plan, with an expected end date in writing.
Professional titles
The field, by title
Beside the degree, this field is planned as a professional credential, with the title written before it. A title is not a degree. How titles work.
- 01Expert in Paralegal StudiesFor people who have practiced Paralegal Studies for years and want their competence assessed and recorded.
- 02Consultant in Paralegal StudiesFor experienced people who advise organizations on Paralegal Studies.
- 03Trainer in Paralegal StudiesFor experienced people who teach or coach others in Paralegal Studies at work.
- 04Diploma in Paralegal StudiesA focused credential in Paralegal Studies, based on assessed knowledge and evidence of practice.
In preparation. No title is open yet; the requirements are published when it opens.
Careers
Where this program is used
- Legal assistant
- Paralegal
- Contracts administrator
- Court clerk
Roles this program relates to. A degree supports a career; it does not guarantee a position, and each employer sets its own requirements.