General Legal Studies Program FAQ
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Program Overview
Tulane SoPA offers a Bachelor of Arts in General Legal Studies with a Paralegal Certificate, a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies, and a General Legal Studies minor. The bachelor’s degree combines 120 credits, including 36 major credits and a practicum with a 100-hour law office internship, while the post-baccalaureate certificate is a 27-credit program for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree. The minor, which can be completed fully online, provides foundational legal knowledge but does not prepare graduates for paralegal certification.
Yes. The BA in General Legal Studies with the Paralegal Certificate and the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies have been approved by the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Paralegals since the 1980s. This distinction, the oldest in the region, reflects the program’s rigor in paralegal education, legal research and writing, and legal ethics.
Courses are offered online, in person, and through synchronous remote sessions to meet ABA requirements. While students can complete most coursework remotely, the ABA requires at least three GLSP classes (9 credits) to be taken in person or synchronously, ensuring interactive learning and live faculty engagement.
Graduates work as paralegals, legal assistants, court clerks, investigators, contract administrators, and insurance adjusters, or use the degree to pursue law school. The program prepares students for roles in law firms, courts, corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, with skills in legal research, writing, litigation support, and professional ethics.
Yes. Students can choose electives that align with their interests, such as family law, criminal justice, real estate, bankruptcy, or intellectual property. The required practicum internship can also be tailored to provide hands-on experience in a specific area of practice.
The BA in General Legal Studies serves as strong preparation for law school, offering coursework in legal research, writing, constitutional law, civil litigation, and public policy law. Students build the analytical, communication, and critical thinking skills that align closely with law school admission expectations.
Yes. The program includes a practicum course with a 100-hour law office internship, where students apply classroom learning in real-world settings such as law firms, courts, and government agencies. Faculty help arrange placements and provide guidance on professionalism, legal ethics, and career readiness.
Online and On-Campus Bachelor’s Degrees
The BA in General Legal Studies focuses on preparing ethical, efficient legal professionals through ABA-approved coursework and practical experience. Students graduate with both a bachelor’s degree and a paralegal certificate, equipped for careers in the legal field or advanced study in law school.
The curriculum includes legal research and writing, litigation, legal ethics, law office technology, constitutional law, and specialty electives. Students progress from core skills to upper-level coursework before completing a practicum that integrates hands-on legal work with classroom instruction.
Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED and may apply without test scores or recommendation letters.
Yes, you can transfer up to 60 credits toward the bachelor’s degree, including up to 18 GLSP credits from an ABA-approved paralegal or legal studies program. All transfer coursework is subject to review and approval by the program director.
Yes. Flexible course formats, including online, evening, and hybrid options, make it possible to balance full-time work with academic requirements. The ABA’s in-person or synchronous credit requirement can be met through remote evening classes.
Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
Tulane SoPA offers an ABA-approved Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree. This nine-course, 27-credit program emphasizes legal research, writing, ethics, litigation, and hands-on practice through a required internship.
A legal studies degree includes general education and legal coursework and is suited for first-time degree seekers, while a legal certificate focuses solely on legal skills and can be completed more quickly. The post-baccalaureate certificate is ideal for those seeking paralegal training or law school preparation without additional general coursework.
Most students finish the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in about one year. The program requires 27 credits, including the practicum internship, and offers flexible online and evening scheduling to accommodate working professionals.
Certificate courses are offered online, with the ABA requiring at least three GLSP classes (9 credits) to be completed in person or through synchronous remote sessions. This ensures interactive engagement with faculty and classmates while maintaining scheduling flexibility.
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