Overview

Legal Studies & Paralegal Trn. (CTE)

CEI Legal

Your Path to a Legal Career Starts Here!

Why choose between a broad education and career-focused training when you can have both? The Legal Studies & Paralegal Training Program combines the critical thinking and analytical skills of a liberal arts education with the hands-on training needed for success in the legal field.

Through interactive, activity-based learning, you’ll build problem-solving, communication, and research skills – essential for careers in law and beyond. The program also focuses on career readiness, helping you master key workplace skills like organization, time management, and professional adaptability.

Whether you plan to start a legal career or continue your education, this program gives you the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in any path you choose.

Take the first step toward your future—enroll today!

Career

Your Legal Career Starts Here – 3 Reasons to Enroll!

1. Unlock Career Opportunities – In Law and Beyond
A legal career isn’t just about law firms. This program prepares you for high-demand roles in business, government, and compliance. Whether you’re aiming for law school, pursuing a traditional career, or forging a unique path, the expertise you gain opens doors to a wide range of opportunities – well beyond the courtroom.

2. Build In-Demand Skills – Employers Want What You’ll Master
Employers are looking for professionals who can think critically, communicate effectively, and solve problems. This program sharpens those skills with hands-on experience in legal research, case management, and professional communication – all of which are in high demand across law, business, healthcare, and beyond.

3. Get Career-Ready – And Transfer-On
This program is designed to launch your career. You’ll gain the employability skills that set you apart, from problem-solving to clear communication. Plus, with transfer-on opportunities, you can continue your education seamlessly and take your career even further.

Law. Business. Transfer-Ready. Your Path to Success.

Your future starts now. Take the first step – enroll today!

Articulation

Does the AAS Degree Articulate?

Where this program’s degree articulates 

Legal Studies & Paralegal Training has more recently partnered with Lewis-Clark State College and Idaho State University to create a transfer pipeline for seeking to earn a bachelor’s degree. Both colleges provide a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree, thus allowing 50 credits from the AAS degree to transfer. This option is particularly important for those interested in law school since a bachelor’s degree is required – and yes, the BAS degree is accepted for law school admissions. 

Both BAS options provide both in-person and online course access. With a clear path forward, transferring credits is easier than ever.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do with this degree?

Depends. What is your aspiration? Are you seeking career-technical training to launch a new career? or are you looking to transfer to a four-year college?

Legal Studies & Paralegal Training (LSPT) program provides students will with versatility. The program’s mission emphasizes developing core competencies inherent to both options. Students will find program curriculum that is designed to build a solid foundation from which to demonstrate the requisite core competencies that broadly prepare graduates for either workplace or educational success. 

By offering a blended learning and training experience, program graduates are utilizing their AAS degree as following:    

Industry (employment) –

  • Fluor IDAHO
  • HCA Healthcare
  • Bonneville County – Prosecutor & Public Defender
  • Jerome County – Juvenile Probation

Transfer –

  • Lewis & Clark – transfer into BAS-Paralegal Studies
  • ISU – (soon to offer) into BAS-Paralegal Studies

What do paralegals do?

Paralegals organize, compile, communicate and manage workflow in law offices and law-related fields.

Typical duties of a paralegal include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Conduct client interviews and maintain general contact with the client.
  • Locate and interview witnesses.
  • Conduct investigations, statistical and documentary research.
  • Conduct legal research.
  • Draft legal documents, correspondence, and pleadings.
  • Summarize depositions, interrogatories, and testimony.
  • Attend executions of wills, real estate closings, depositions, court or administrative hearings, and trials with the attorney.
  • Author and sign correspondence provided the paralegal status is clearly indicated and the correspondence does not contain independent legal opinions or legal advice.

While the paralegal profession has its beginnings in law firms, today, many paralegals work in various corporations and business organizations including banks, insurance companies and health organizations, and government.

How long does it take to graduate?

Four semesters for those enrolled in the AAS degree and Two semesters for the Intermediate Technical Certificate.

What are classes like?

Program curriculum is created to be hands-on. Emphasis is given to helping students develop a solid educational foundation while developing employability skills. Real world case studies are implemented in classes to aid students in critical thinking skills needed to effectively apply learning concepts to support problem-solving strategies.

Will I get lost in the crowd if I enroll in this program?

No. Class sizes are small which allows for more faculty interaction. The program is hands-on so lecture is often punctuated with workshops where students often spend class time refining assessments before grading and learning how to apply learning concepts. The program blends individual with collaborative projects, which many students find particularly helpful. 

Are there any restrictions to entering into the program?

No. Applicants are encouraged to consult with an enrollment advisor in Admission to discuss transcripts and course placement.

How many days will I be expected to attend classes, and are the classes offered online?

Students may enter into the program on a part- or full-time basis. Generally, first-year legal courses are offered twice a week from 8:00 a.m. to noon and second-year students following a similar pattern. Required general education classes are scheduled around legal classes, therefore a student may be on campus more thaStudents may enter into the program on a part- or full-time basis. Generally, first-year legal courses are offered twice a week from 8:00 a.m. to noon and second-year students following a similar pattern. Required general education classes are scheduled around legal classes, therefore a student may be on campus more than twice a week depending on how the course schedule is planned.

This program offers a limited number of online courses in the second year, only.

Who can I talk to about the application and admissions process?

Contract Admission to speak with an enrollment advisor to discuss the application process.

Admissions

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8 AM - 5PM

<a href="tel:(208) 535-5390" class="ek-link">(208) 535-5390 Faye</a><br><a href="tel:(208) 535-5422" class="ek-link">(208) 535-5422 Sally</a><br><a href="tel:(800) 662-0261 ext. 5390" class="ek-link">(800) 662-0261 ext. 5390</a><br>(208) 522-7026

Course Curriculum

Course Curriculum

Classes to be completed by the Semester for the ITC and AAS degree

Click the link to access the program’s student advising worksheet. Depending on the certificate or degree option selected, the ITC can be completed in two semesters and the AAS degree in four. The advising worksheet lists the legal courses in the semester they must be taken. To graduate within two or four semesters, a student must take 15 credits each semester.

Advising Worksheet for AAS Degree

Semester 1

CourseCourse NameCrTechnical or Transfer Credit
BSN 115Comp Productivity Applications3Transfer
ENGL 101Writing and Rhetoric I3Transfer
POLS 101 or 102American National Government or Intro to Political Science3Transfer
LSPT 100Introduction to Law3Technical
LSPT 100L Introduction to Law - LAB1Technical
LSPTConstitutional Law, Rights & Responsibilities 3Technical
16

Semester 2

CourseCourse NameCrClass Type
ENGL 102Writing and Rhetoric II3Transfer
MATHAny GEM 3 course3Transfer
GEM 6Preferably Criminal Justice, U.S. History, Economics3Transfer
LSPT 101Contract Law 3Technical
LSPT 103Tort Law3Technical
15

Semester 3

CourseCourse NameCrClass Type
COMM 101Fundamentals of Oral Communication3Transfer
PHIL 103Introduction to Ethics3Transfer
LSPT 200Civil Litigation3Technical
LSPT 201Criminal Law3Technical
LSPT 202Wills, Trust, & Estates3Technical
15

Semester 4

CourseCourse NameCrClass Type
LSTP 203Capstone3Technical
LSTP 204Legal Research & Writing I3 Technical
LSTP 205 Debtor/Creditor Law & BKRPT3Technical
LSTP 207Legal Practices & Technology2Technical
LSTP 208Family Law3Technical
14
Total60

Advising Worksheet for ITC Certificate

Semester 1

CourseCourse NameCrClass Type
BSN 115Comp Productivity Applications3Transfer
ENGL 101Writing and Rhetoric I3Transfer
POLS 101 or 102American National Government or Intro to Political Science3Transfer
LSPT 100Introduction to Law3Technical
LSPT 100L Introduction to Law - LAB1Technical
LSPT 104Connotational Law, Rights & Responsibilities3Technical
16

Semester 2

CourseCourse NameCrClass Type
ENGL 102Writing and Rhetoric II3Transfer
MATHAny GEM 3 course3Transfer
GEM 6Preferably Criminal Justice, U.S. History, Economics3Transfer
LSPT 101Contract Law 3Technical
LSPT 103Tort Law3Technical
15
Total31

Advising Worksheet for BTC Certificate

Semester 1

CourseCourse NameCrClass Type
BSN 115Comp Productivity Applications3Transfer
ENGL 101Writing and Rhetoric I3Transfer
POLS 101 or 102American National Government or Intro to Political Science3Transfer
LSPT 100Introduction to Law3Technical
LSPT 100L Introduction to Law - LAB1Technical
LSPT 104Connotational Law, Rights & Responsibilities3Technical
16