Associate Degree

Paralegal/Legal Assisting Program
Atlanta, Georgia

CLASSES START
Jan 8th

20 Mo.

Program Length

Credits

On-campus

Format

$464

Cost Per Credit

Waived Enrollment Fee

Apply Now Request Information

Associate Degree

Paralegal/Legal Assisting Program
Atlanta, Georgia

Taking your first step in a legal career IS possible

Accreditation	ABA approved,¹ Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Transfer credit	Up to 48 approved credits
Certification	Prep for the Certified Paralegal Examination (NALA)
Pathways	If you choose, continue your study in advanced legal topics/pre-law (bachelor’s in legal studies)
QuickPaths	Transfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University

Associate of Science in Legal Assisting/Paralegal - Atlanta

The Associate of Science in Legal Assisting/Paralegal degree is a 65-credit undergraduate program which prepares you to begin your legal career as a legal assistant/paralegal.

The ABA-approved¹ Atlanta campus degree program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in legal writing, civil litigation, law office procedures, legal research, and much more.

Career-focused curriculum

Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.

Flexible schedule

We work hard to help you maintain school-life balance, striving to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.

Experienced faculty

Get face-to-face instruction from experienced and credentialed faculty with real-world success in the field.

Lifelong support

We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.

Rolling admissions

No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.

Classes Start January 8th

Learn More Today

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Curriculum

Paralegal/legal assisting program classes & curriculum details

As part of the paralegal program you will learn about different types of law and discover the skills needed to prepare legal documents and conduct legal research.

Graduates from our program in Atlanta are prepared to sit for the Certified Legal Assisting and Certified Paralegal exams through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). You will be prepared to apply for a professional role in many different areas of law.

Program	Monthsⁱ	Credits
Associate of Science in Legal Assisting/Paralegal	20	65

i. Average number of months for students to complete program

Required Courses

All courses, 30.00 semester credit hours, are required.

PL 100 - Introduction to Legal Assisting 3.00

This course provides an overview of the paralegal profession and an introduction to the law and legal procedures. Topics include paralegal duties and responsibilities, ethical issues in legal assisting, sources of American law and legal concepts, the court system and government regulations, corporate law, civil litigation and trial procedures, criminal and administrative law and procedures, conducting interviews and investigations, and legal research and analysis.

PL 106 - Legal Research 3.00

This course is a practical introduction to the law library and its resources and the fundamentals of traditional and electronic legal research. Emphasis is placed on the paralegal's practical role and skill in assisting the attorney in legal research. Topics include the various research tools, including codes, reporters, digests, Shepard's, legal encyclopedias, treaties, law reviews, practice manuals, Westlaw, and CD ROM and Internet research.

PL 115 - Contract Law 3.00

This course is designed to examine contract basics by explaining what a contract is and the various contract types. Key elements to most contracts are covered along with an explanation of how U.S. law governs contractual activity, including enforcement and dispute resolution options and the three requirements of a contract (offer, consideration, and acceptance). The course also examines who can enter into a contract, how to approach negotiation, designing of a written contract, unfair and improper contracts, contract termination, breach, voiding and rescission claims, and details on special contract situations, including real estate, financing, and social contracts, and Internet use.

PL 131 - Torts 3.00

The purpose of this course is to provide the student with the basic legal terms of torts and personal injury law, help the student identify the various types of torts and the defenses a defendant may raise to each, and to provide a practical, hands-on learning experience in related terminology and in drafting the documents necessary to practice in this area of the law.

PL 132 - Family Law 3.00

This course is intended to provide the student with a thorough working knowledge of family law. Along with in-depth topical knowledge, the course addresses the important skills required of a paralegal in family law including interviewing and legal drafting.

PL 140 - Ethics and Paralegal Professionalism 3.00

This course presents an in-depth study of the Codes of Professional Responsibility from the American Bar Association as well as the Code of Judicial Conduct and existing guidelines and case law involving paralegals.

PL 180 - Law Office Procedures 3.00

This course presents a study of the operation of a private law firm from the perspective of a legal assistant/paralegal. Topics include personnel and their responsibilities, managerial concepts, the various systems and procedures in the law office including timekeeping and billing systems, word processing, file organization and management, accounting/bookkeeping systems, trust accounts, docket control, tickler systems, conflicts checks, client development and case management, and current legal office software.

PL 215 - Civil Litigation 3.00

This course provides an intensive examination of the role of the paralegal in civil litigation. Topics include litigation and the paralegal's role, the courts and their jurisdiction, ethical considerations, investigation and evidence procedures, the initial pleadings and response to the initial pleading, motion practice, discovery procedures and requests, settlements and alternative dispute resolution, trial techniques, and post-trial practices.

PL 250 - Legal Writing 3.00

This course allows the student to apply practical legal research skills to the drafting and preparation of typical documents that the paralegal will be expected to prepare by their supervising attorney. Topics include research memoranda, client correspondence, demand letters, appellate briefs, incorporation documents, partnership agreements, wills, leaves, promissory notes, and medical record summaries.

PL 298 - NALA Certification Review 3.00

This course is designed to review the legal studies courses taken in the various programs and prepare the student to take the National Association of Legal Assistants' (NALA) Certified Paralegal Examination. This examination is a two-day comprehensive examination administered at various locations across the United States.

Elective Courses

A minimum of 9.00 semester credit hours is required. At least 6.00 semester credit hours must be paralegal (PL) courses.

AC 107 - Accounting I 3.00

This introductory course in accounting provides the practical application of the principles of financial accounting for service and merchandising businesses. Topics include an introduction to the conceptual framework of accounting using GAAP rules established by FASB, analysis and recording of transactions in the general journal and posting to the general ledger, completion of the accounting cycle by preparing end-of-period adjusting and closing journal entries, financial statements and the post-closing trial balance, an introduction to internal controls, and the calculation of inventory and cost of goods sold using the FIFO, LIFO, and weighted average methods.

BU 106 - Introduction to Business 3.00

This course introduces the environment of American business with an overview of various topics that serve as a foundation for further study of business. Topics include the environments in which businesses operate, the organizational structures of businesses, management functions in an enterprise, and the challenges of managing marketing, operations, information technology, finance, and human resources.

BU 206 - Business Law I 3.00

This course provides a study of the American legal system and its effect on business and business organizations. Topics include an overview of the ethical issues that businesses encounter, the foundation of the American legal system, business ethics, torts, intellectual property, criminal law, cyber crimes, contracts, and sales and leases.

BU 302 - Leadership and Organizational Behavior 3.00

The focus of this course is to introduce students to the basic principles of human behavior that effective managers use when managing individuals and groups in organizations. The overall goal of this course is to develop an understanding of the key issues managers need to master in order to manage the interface between people and organizations. Topics include theories relating to individual differences in abilities and attitudes, attribution, motivation, group dynamics, power and politics, leadership, conflict resolution, organizational culture, and organizational structure and design.

BU 305 - Administrative Law 3.00

This course examines the form, organization, and function of administrative agencies in the context of a democratic constitutional system. The course looks at agency rulemaking, enforcement, and adjudication and also examines the legislative, executive, and judicial control of those functions.

BU 403 - Constitutional Law 3.00

This course is designed to give the student a basic knowledge of constitutional law, as well as the structure of the federal government (executive, legislative, and judicial), with emphasis on the judicial branch and the workings of the Supreme Court of the United States.

HR 100 - Introduction to Human Resource Management 3.00

Students in this course explore contemporary concepts and techniques essential to managing corporate human resources. Topics include resource planning, staffing, and rewards as well as developing and maintaining positions and people.

HR 230 - Employment Law and Labor Relations 3.00

Students in this course explore collective bargaining and labor relations, with an emphasis on real-world situations. There is also a strong emphasis on the historical and legal basis for labor relations and collective bargaining in the United States. Topics include labor relations, the collective bargaining process, and labor contracts.

HR 340 - Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Essentials 3.00

This course provides an overview of ADR principles. Topics include how to use principled and ethical negotiation to mediate disputes as well as how to develop practical skills and techniques needed to resolve disputes effectively and with confidence. Students will be given tools for managing conflict constructively in the workplace and at home.

PL 139 - Wills, Trusts and Estates 3.00

This course covers the study and practice of wills, trusts, and estates, stressing the need for understanding the concepts, uses, and forms involved in this ever-changing area of the law.

PL 220 - Bankruptcy 3.00

This course provides instruction in bankruptcy law and the documents required to meet that law. Topics include bankruptcy law and the Bankruptcy Code, filing the case, liquidation bankruptcy, reorganization procedures and adjustment of debts of various individuals, the role of trustees and creditors, and notices and proofs of claim. The student will be introduced to the basic steps and documents involved in conducting the processes and the computer software commonly used by bankruptcy attorneys. Emphasis is placed on the role of the paralegal under the supervision of a licensed attorney.

PL 225 - Criminal Law 3.00

Criminal Law is an introduction to the fundamental elements of crime investigation and prosecution. In this course, students will examine, in detail, crimes against people, property, and public order and morality. This course also examines affirmative defenses such as the insanity defense and the alibi defense. Finally, this course will look at the constitutional guidelines for searching and seizing evidence of a crime. Each element studied will be looked at from a legal perspective as compared to a law enforcement perspective.

PL 235 - Property Law and Intellectual Property Law 3.00

This course provides the basics of property law, real and personal, as well as tangible and intangible. The topic of real estate is presented and includes sales, financing, zoning, and the legal acts that govern. Mortgages, liens, surveying, and servitudes are included in this study. The second half of the course covers intellectual property including trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets. Topics also include the application, possession, protection, violation, and transfer of rights in intellectual property.

PL 294 - Career Internship 4.00

This is an elective course in the associate degree program that students take in their final semester. The career internship course is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in legal studies. The outcome of the internship is an informed student fully apprised of the opportunities his/her degree program offers for professional growth. During the internship phase of training, the student will experience various aspects of working in the actual field in which they have been educated. The internship is designed to provide the student with the opportunity to experience and participate in duties typical of a contemporary workplace setting. Student learning will center on observing experienced personnel as well as participating in actual hands-on procedures under close supervision of trained professionals.

General Education Requirements

Students enrolled in this associate degree must complete a minimum of 24.00 semester credit hours in general education distributed among the following disciplines. Refer to the General Education section of the catalog for specific information about courses within each discipline. 9.00 Semester Credit Hours in Communications 6.00 Semester Credit Hours in Humanities (must include 3 semester credit hours of cultural diversity) 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Science 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Personal and Professional Development Courses

2.00 semester credit hours are required.

PD 121 - Professional Development I 1.00

This course is designed to introduce students to methodologies that will prepare them for academic and professional success. Topics include but are not limited to Canvas support, student support services, e-books, university policies, resumes, self-reflection, time management, goal setting, and strategies for anxiety reduction.

PD 202 - Professional Development II 1.00

This course provides an opportunity for students to critically examine their skills and develop a plan to further their career and own financial literacy. Topics include research, job searching, developing career documents, refining interview and communication skills, and creating a personal budget.

An alternative: Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies

Designed to provide students with a more advanced understanding of law, this program also incorporates a selection of core business courses to provide a solid background in management and administration. Graduates are prepared for careers in legal assistance, legal administration, business and management training. This degree is also ideal for those wishing to continue on to law school. Learn more about our legal studies bachelor's degree program in Atlanta.

Tuition & Cost

When you accept the 10% tuition discount from our Financial Commitment Scholarship, the cost of tuition for the paralegal program is $464 per credit.¹

You can potentially earn even greater savings by transferring credit from prior college coursework, applying for financial aid, or potential partnership opportunities through your employer.

Our goal is your career advancement. That’s why we are always working to improve our curriculum and processes to make our program as affordable as possible while preparing you best for success in your work.

Find my estimate

Scholarships & Financial Aid

You may be eligible for multiple scholarships and grants, both through Herzing University and several national scholarship websites.

Find scholarships and grants

Military/Veteran Discounts

Veterans, Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers, and spouses may qualify for a 10% tuition discount or tuition reduction to $250 per credit.

VA/Military benefits

i. Financial Commitment Scholarship eligibility requirements: Recommended that students limit student loan borrowing to only what is needed to cover the cost of tuition and fees. Students may borrow up to $2,000 in student loans in excess of tuition and fees to cover their cost of attendance and retain eligibility for this scholarship. Excess loan eligibility dependent on individual student situation.

Requirements

Legal assisting/paralegal program enrollment prerequisites

Enrollment requirements for the legal assisting/paralegal associate degree program at Herzing University Atlanta include:

A high school diploma, GED or equivalent
Meet and interview with a Herzing University admissions advisor
Fill out an enrollment application

Classes Start January 8th

Waived Enrollment Fee

Apply Now Request Info

Degree Options

Choose your path to begin a career in law:

Associate degree

Program length: 20 months
Credits required: 65 credit hours
Degree: Associate of Science in Legal Assisting/Paralegal

Earn the education you need to become a paralegal fast – and get started in your new career.

Bachelor's degree

Program length: 36 months
Credits required: 125 credit hours
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies

Earn a 3-year bachelor’s degree in legal studies to build a strong understanding of the law.

Careers

What can I do with a paralegal degree?

Paralegals work in many different environments and can potentially specialize in unique categories of law. Law firms across all specialties require dictation, research, clerical work and other administrative tasks needed to keep business running smoothly.

Paralegals may work in many different capacities:

Private sector
Public sector: government & military
Freelance / contract

By earning your associate degree and getting certified, you’ll be qualified to practice in several types of legal assisting roles and determine your best fit.

Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.

Certification

Getting certified helps your resume stand out

Upon graduating with an associate or bachelor’s degree, you will be eligible to take the Certified Paralegal Examination offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).

Graduate with a degree, pass the exam and you will be a Certified Paralegal (CP).

Herzing’s goal is your success in work. Getting certified may give you an edge in the hiring process and help you earn your dream job.

Do I need to be certified?

The rules vary by state. Certification is not a legal prerequisite to work as a paralegal in the state of Georgia. However, we encourage you to get certified. The Herzing Atlanta paralegal program curriculum includes a class dedicated to NALA certification exam prep.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

A career in legal assisting might be right for you if you exhibit these desirable qualities:

Are comfortable in a highly structured environment
Are precise and pay attention to details
Enjoy research
Have excellent written and oral communications skills
Have strong computer skills
Wish to continually expand your capabilities
Work well alone or as part of a team
Handle on-the-job pressure
Are inquisitive and like to find answers to questions
Bilingual capability not required—but can be valuable

Paralegals assist lawyers with the creation of legal documents and conduct research on laws, court cases and contracts—but duties will vary depending on the employer. Those entering the field with little or no prior experience will typically perform routine clerical tasks, taking on the additional responsibility of more varied tasks after gaining the appropriate experience.

The duties of a legal assistant/paralegal include assisting the lawyer with research, brief preparation, and other legal office administration, but do not include practicing law, advising clients, or setting fees since paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.

Paralegals can work in-house with a law firm in the private sector, in the public sector with a government agency, or in a freelance/contract role. Discover more about what paralegals are and what they do.

These titles are sometimes used interchangeably, but the general difference between legal assistants vs. paralegals breaks down like this:

Legal assistants (alternatively named administrative assistant, legal secretary) handle a broad variety of office tasks, including scheduling, data entry, answering phones or other clerical duties.
Paralegals often handle more technical legal tasks, including preparing documentation or performing research, and often requires more experience in law.

However, duties vary widely by firm and there are certainly employees titled “Legal Assistant” who perform paralegal duties—and vice-versa.

Herzing’s paralegal / legal assisting degree programs prepare you to thrive no matter the title!

Yes. Herzing University offers online associate and bachelor’s degree options for students seeking requisite education to earn their first entry-level job as a paralegal / legal assistant.

Keep in mind some law firms and employers may require the completion of an ABA approved program for new hires – and the fully online program is not ABA approved (but program at our Atlanta campus is).

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), paralegals earn an average salary of $62,840 per year ($30.21 per hour).* Keep in mind this is not an estimate for starting pay in an entry-level position—average pay will vary based on your experience, level of education and the state in which you work. Find the average paralegal salary by state.

The BLS reports a positive outlook for jobs over the next ten years, projecting a 4% increase in employment for paralegals and legal assistants from 2022-2032—well above the expected increase across all occupations.*

Our associate degree program takes an average of 20 months to complete; the bachelor’s degree program, 36 months. After earning your degree, you will be eligible to take the Certified Paralegal Examination offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).

Educational requirements to become a paralegal vary by state and employer. Given the broad scope of potential roles in legal assisting, different jobs require different levels of education.

Types of paralegal programs to choose from:

Certificate / diploma programs*. Basic certificate programs (sometimes called a “diploma”) are designed to provide minimum training & education. Some are designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field.
Degree program. Associate & bachelor’s degree programs help you become highly qualified for an entry-level paralegal job and often provide a strong foundation to grow into other careers in law.

* Herzing University does not offer a certificate program.

It’s important to understand the difference between the two types of “certificate” programs. A basic certificate/diploma program will typically offer a fast track to getting started as a paralegal, but none of them are ABA approved and they will fall short of the comprehensiveness of a degree or post-baccalaureate certificate program.

Which should I choose?

That depends on your prior education and career goals. For students without a degree interested in becoming a paralegal, our associate and bachelor’s degree programs are a perfect starting point.

Paralegals may work in many different environments with unique specialties in law, including:

Personal injury
Family law / divorce
Business law
Criminal law
Government & military: Air Force, Army, etc.
Bankruptcy
Real estate
Civil litigation
Immigration
Intellectual property (IP)
Estate planning / probate

…among many others. With enough experience in your specialty you may regard yourself as an “Immigration Paralegal,” “Litigation Paralegal,” “Corporate Paralegal,” etc.

Yes! Legal assisting is not only an excellent job if you’ve got the right skillset—but it can also act as a springboard into many different types of careers in law as you get more experience and further your education.

Your first step is getting educated. Our goal is to help you take the first step, discover your true capabilities and thrive in your new career.

No. Currently, fully online paralegal / legal assisting programs are not approved by the ABA. There are cases where the ABA may approve individual online classes – but there are no 100% online ABA approved programs.

Not all employers will require completion of an ABA approved program. However, earning your degree through an ABA approved program can give you an edge on the job market and open doors to more opportunities.

Herzing University offers an ABA approved paralegal program at our Atlanta ground campus.

Police Cars Surrounding Crime Scene with Yellow Tape

Associate of Science in Criminal Justice

Legal Studies - Atlanta

Accreditation

Accreditation & Disclosures

1. The Associate of Science in Legal Assisting/Paralegal and the Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies programs at the Atlanta Campus are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60654-7598, 800-285-2221, www.americanbar.org).

Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

View Herzing University Accreditation and Approvals

* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.

Take Your Career to New Heights as a Paralegal

Herzing Staff

Career Development The Vast Variety of Paralegal Careers

Herzing Staff

Career Development The Exciting Variety of Specialties for Paralegals

Herzing Staff

Visit Us

Visit our Atlanta campus in Georgia to take a tour and get a feel for the school and our learning environment. We are located in downtown Atlanta in the Hurt Building at 50 Hurt Plaza.

Herzing University - Atlanta

50 Hurt Plaza SE Suite 400
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 586-4265

View all Atlanta degree programs.

Associate of Science in Legal Assisting/Paralegal Atlanta Campus
Tuition
Cost per Credit	$515.00
Base Tuition	$33,475.00
Savings from Transfer Credits (48 x $515.00 )	(-$24,720.00)
Estimated Tuition Cost*	$8,755.00
Fees
One-time Program Fee	$0.00
Per-semester Program Fee	$0.00
Per-semester Learner Resource Fee	$530.00
Estimated Total Fee*	$1,060.00

Total Credits
Required	Needed
65	17

Estimated Cost ²
Base Cost	Your Cost
$36,125.00	$9,815.00

Paralegal/Legal Assisting Program
Atlanta, Georgia

Paralegal/Legal Assisting Program
Atlanta, Georgia

Taking your first step in a legal career IS possible

Satisfaction rate

Satisfaction rate