Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Legal Studies Major

The coursework in legal studies is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of the legal environment in which individuals, businesses, and the judiciary operate.   Because most of the professors are judges, practicing attorneys, prosecutors, public defenders, and paralegals, this gives the student the distinct advantage of the latest legal theory and real world practice.

Certificate Program in Paralegal Studies

The certificate program in paralegal studies is designed to provide the theoretical and practical education needed by those who work or desire to work as paralegals or legal assistants. Webster University will issue a certificate recognizing the successful completion (C- or better) of a 24-credit-hour core in paralegal studies. All core courses must be taken at Webster University. Since core courses are generally taught at the advanced level, students must have earned at least 84 credit hours, including the 24-credit-hour core in paralegal studies, before a certificate can be issued.

Special Note

A legal assistant or paralegal is a person, qualified by education, training, or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible. Paralegals or Legal Assistants may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law. Webster University's St. Louis area paralegal programs have been approved by the American Bar Association. The Kansas City program is not approved by the American Bar Association.