Legal Pathway
As the growth rate in the legal field is expanding, graduating Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ will have ample opportunities to pursue their career goals. The Legal Studies program will offer Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ the confidence, skills, and certification enabling them to a successful and thriving career in any area of law.
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Average Salary
$50,561 plus bonuses
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American Bar Association
Approved Certificate -
1-year
Certification can be achieved in 1-year as long as you have a associate of arts or baccalaureate degree. -
Smaller Class Sizes
Smaller class sizes offer Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ easy access to instructors, industry professionals, and peers.
Average Salary
$50,561 plus bonuses
American Bar Association
1-year
Smaller Class Sizes
Pathway
The Legal Studies Certificate is a 1-year distance program that can be paired with an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree. The program is tailored to meet the needs of those interested in pursuing legal work in law firms, government agencies, public administration, legal justice, and health insurance. Post-baccalaureate Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ will only need to complete certificate.
| Program Listing | Certificate Type |
| Legal Studies |
The program is approved by the American Bar Association and is also considered a Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ Program of Distinction.
What to expect
The Legal Studies program offers Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ a stable launch pad to enter the field of law. Students can expect a blend of practical education and career readiness. Students will immerse themselves in areas such as legal writing/drafting, terminology, the function of law, interviewing, and preparing for trial. Participants will be well prepared to enter the workforce upon program completion or pursue further academic interests if they choose.
Program Highlights
- Classes taught remotely and online, offering Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ across Montana easy access to education.
- Students will build a wide array of legal knowledge and applicable skills related to the field.
- Experienced faculty and industry professionals lead Ñý¼§Ö±²¥.
- Students participate in a 90-hour internship, often paid.
- Students can expect a significant emphasis on research and writing, learning how to enhance and apply these skills in a professional setting.
- Students will be part of a diverse cohort and supportive learning environment.
Expectations
After completing the Legal Studies program, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ will receive ABA-approved certificate. Students will be prepped and ready to enter a career in law or utilize transferable credits to further pursue academic interests.
This program is approved by the American Bar Association. The Legal Studies program prepares Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ for challenging and diverse careers in private law practices and in the law-related areas of business, industry, and government.
The goals of the Legal Studies program are to enable Ñý¼§Ö±²¥, through theoretical and practical legal education, to understand the function of law, confidently gain employment in a law firm or agency, in the effective delivery of legal services, and to enhance the legal profession. This program is designed to equip Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ with skills to analyze legal issues and perform various activities, including drafting legal documents, interviewing clients, conducting legal research, and preparing cases for trial. Students utilize current technology through Internet research and legal and general office software applications.
Legal studies Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ receive the necessary legal training to take advantage of new career opportunities in all sectors of the economy. Students are exposed to the principles of legal ethics and are cautioned regarding restrictions against the unauthorized practice of law by layperson. Students completing the program may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law. Completion of this program does not guarantee employment at a law firm in a particular role. The terms legal assistant and paralegal can be used synonymously. However, each firm or agency sets its own standards for employment.
Legal Specialty Transfer
The number of credits allowed for transfer is less than 50% pursuant to Montana State Board of Regents policy. The Certificate of Applied Science degree requires the completion of 33 Legal Specialty credits for graduation. Therefore, to graduate from Missoula College-Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ Legal Studies program, a student may only transfer in less than 18 legal specialty credits.
Transfer credits must be from an accredited post-secondary institution, earned within the past 10 years, include comparable course content, and receive prior approval by the Program Director.
The policy for accepting the transfer of legal specialty credits requires the Program Director’s review of all proposed credits to evaluate the course description, content, and quality of work in the course. If necessary, the Program Director interviews the student proposing the transfer and the professor of the proposed transfer class to verify the information.
Specifically: (1) the proposed transfer class must be: completed within the past 10 years; (2) must be offered by an accredited institution; (3) must be comparable in content and credit with a class offered in the Program; and must receive the Program Director’s prior approval.
In evaluating legal specialty courses for transfer, the Program Director discusses the proposed award with the Associate Dean. If the award of credit seems reasonable, the Program Director and the student discuss the appropriate challenge and/or examination and score necessary to grant the award of credit. (To date, awards of credit have been made by portfolio presentation).
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