Legal Studies Program Admissions and Transfer Credit Policies

Enrollment and Entrance Requirements

Applicants to our program, which is approved by the American Bar Association, must be accepted to Clayton State through the Office of Admissions.  Please note that paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law. 

1. Paralegal Certificate Program
   • Applicants to the Paralegal Certificate Program must have already earned at least 60 semester hours (or 90 quarter hours) of college credit, of which at least 18 semester credits/27 quarter credits are general education courses in at least 3 different areas, such as English, Math, Science, Social Sciences.
   • If you already possess a bachelor's degree, then you do not need to contact an advisor before applying to Clayton State.
   • If you do not have a bachelor's degree, but think that you have earned enough prior college credits to be eligible for the Paralegal Certificate Program, you must contact us for a preliminary records review. The preliminary records review is not a formal admissions determination.
   • Admission to the Paralegal Studies Program is handled through the Clayton State Admissions Office.
2. B.S. Legal Studies Degree and A.A.S. Paralegal Studies Degree
   • The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Legal Studies and the Associates of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Paralegal Studies are open to applicants who do not qualify for (or who choose not to enter) the Paralegal Certificate Program. You should indicate on your application to Clayton State that you are applying for the B.S. degree or the A.A.S. degree in Paralegal Studies.
   • Graduates of an A.A.S. Degree are encouraged to pursue a 4-year Bachelors of Applied Science (B.A.S.) degree in Administrative Management or may decide to pursue the B.S. degree in Paralegal Studies (however, there will be some lost credits if students do this, so it is best to speak with an advisor to fully understand your options).

All Legal Studies/Paralegal program students are required to take at least ten semester credits or equivalent of legal specialty courses through traditional classroom instruction.

Policy on Transfer Credits for Legal Specialty Courses:

1.    We accept course credits from institutions in the USG (University System of Georgia) and the TCSG (Technical College System of Georgia); We also accept course credits from regionally-accredited institutions outside of the USG and the TCSG that are ABA-approved or institutional member​s of AAfPE (American Association for Paralegal Education); 

2.   The student must have earned a grade of "C" or higher in any legal specialty course for which transfer credit is sought;

3.   The student must comply with Clayton State residency requirements as contained in our Academic Catalog; 

4.   We may accept course credits from regionally-accredited institutions that are not ABA-approved or institutional member​s of AAfPE if adequate evidence is provided to document that the transfer course meets an appropriate level of academic rigor and compliance with ABA guidelines for paralegal education; and

5.   Whether a legal specialty course is transferable to Clayton State is subject to the discretion of the Legal Studies Program Coordinator.  Clayton State reserves the right to request additional course materials for any class for which transfer credit is sought.

General Admissions and Financial Aid Information