Bachelor Degree Program Options

The Paralegal Studies Program offers three program options for individuals looking to earn or complete their bachelor’s degree. All three program options are approved by the American Bar Association and are described below.

NEW! Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies is a 4-year, 120-credit hour, interdisciplinary program that combines a liberal arts/general education background with law-related specialty courses that provide students with communication, critical thinking and analytical skills. The paralegal courses provide a thorough background in legal terminology, procedures and a variety of legal practice areas giving students a solid background with which to begin their career. The program focuses on the practical aspects of the law and students learn through hands-on experience both in their traditional classes and through the required internship course.  This program is designed for students who wish to pursue a career as a paralegal or other related positions in the legal field and is also an excellent choice for students interested in attending law school. Download a printable Fact Sheet.

Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) Major in Paralegal Studies Program Options

The BPS Degree with a major in Paralegal Studies and the BPS Degree Completion with a major in Paralegal Studies are offered by Roosevelt University’s Evelyn T. Stone College of Professional Studies and are ideal for adults interested in a career in the legal profession. The BPS/Major in Paralegal Studies program option is a Fast-Track degree program that is a fully-accredited undergraduate degree designed for adults 24 years of age or older; enables students to complete a bachelor's degree in significantly less time (and cost) than a more traditional undergraduate degree; prepares students for graduate and professional study and for professional paralegal positions. In the degree program, students complete all non-paralegal undergraduate course requirements prior to enrolling in the Paralegal Studies program. Download a printable Fact Sheet.

Bachelor of Arts/Paralegal Credential Option

Students choosing a major in Roosevelt University’s College of Arts and Sciences can pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree combined with the coursework required for the ABA-approved paralegal program. The BA/Paralegal Credential program option is ideal for students interested in pursuing a career in the legal profession – either as a paralegal or, after attending law school, as a lawyer. The paralegal courses provide an excellent background in legal terminology, procedures, concepts and a variety of legal practice areas giving future law school students an advantage over their classmates who have not had prior legal training. Students start work on their paralegal courses in the last year of their undergraduate studies, after they have completed 96 credit hours, including all general education requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences and all of the requirements for both their major and the Legal Studies minor. Download a printable Fact Sheet.

How to Apply for a Bachelor Degree Program Option

Students interested in pursuing one of the bachelor degree program options should apply to Roosevelt University for undergraduate admission. At the appropriate time in their degree program usually, once all non-paralegal courses have been completed, students then submit an application to the Paralegal Studies Program. It is suggested that these students apply to the Paralegal Studies Program within one semester of the intended start date for the paralegal courses. These applicants should maintain an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 on a scale of 4.0 for eligibility to the program.

Apply: Current Roosevelt Undergraduate Students

If you are currently enrolled in one of our Bachelor Degree Program Options (Bachelor of Professional Studies/Paralegal Major or Bachelor of Arts/Paralegal Certificate), you should submit this Application Form, along with the requested Statement of Intent in the semester before you plan to start taking paralegal courses.

Tuition and Fees

Click here for the tuition and fee structure for our undergraduate degree programs.

Transfer Credit

If you have taken paralegal courses at another ABA-approved paralegal program, you may be able to transfer up to 12 semester hours of paralegal courses toward the requirements in our paralegal program. The courses need to have been taken no longer than six years prior to the date on which you enroll in our program. If you have taken other college courses, many of these may also transfer toward your degree requirements. For more information on transfer credit for non-paralegal courses, please feel free to contact our Admissions Office. If you would like to find out if paralegal courses you have taken at other programs will transfer, please contact the Paralegal Studies Program.

Non-Certificate/Non-Degree Seeking Students

Admission for Non-Certificate or Non-Degree Seeking Students: Graduates of the Paralegal Studies Program are invited to take additional classes in the program. Graduates wishing to do so should contact the Paralegal Studies Program office for registration information. All other individuals wishing to take classes in the program must apply to the program and pursue one of the available program options.

Paralegal Courses as Functional Areas

It is possible for students in certain degree programs offered by Roosevelt University’s College of Professional Studies to choose paralegal courses for the required functional area. Students who have completed all other required undergraduate courses and have maintained a grade point average of 2.5 or higher may take up to six paralegal courses as their functional area. Taking paralegal courses as a functional area is not intended to prepare students to work as paralegals, but to allow them to learn about the field of law as part of their undergraduate studies. Students taking the classes as a functional area do not have access to all program services such as career development assistance. For more information on the degree programs available please visit the College of Professional Studies.