The objective of this program is to provide students with the education, training, and technical knowledge that will prepare them for employment as paralegals and legal assistants. Graduates will be able to carry out paralegal responsibilities reliably and to communicate their findings and opinions effectively, both orally and in writing. In addition to courses focusing on specific areas of law, the program provides coursework in legal research, legal writing, evidence, alternative dispute resolution, interviewing, ethics, management, and current topics in law. Courses in management, communication, reasoning, and social sciences compliment the legal emphasis. Graduates will understand the paralegal's role in the legal community and further understand that, except as permitted by law, paralegals do not provide legal services directly to the public.