Master of Legal Studies
How Can I Become a Legal Paraprofessional?
Arizona has created an exciting new tier of legal practitioner that will expand access to representation for people in need of legal assistance. The new Legal Paraprofessional license is a first-in-the-nation development and puts Arizona at the forefront of innovations in justice and legal practice.
The MLS with a Legal Paraprofessional (LP) Certificate or Concentration is designed to educate professionals who already have an undergraduate degree and wish to obtain the necessary training to qualify for licensure by the State of Arizona. Both the LP Graduate Certificate and the LP Concentration require that you complete the Master of Legal Studies course requirements in addition to the LP coursework. If you earn a "B" or better in the LP Coursework, you will qualify to earn your LP Certificate at graduation which will appear on your transcript. (A $15.00 fee will be applied to your account at Graduation and the Certificate will be issued by UArizona Graduate College.)
What is the Licensing Process and Authorized Scope?
After completing the educational requirements, LP applicants must pass a state administered examination in each area of law in which they intend to practice. These possible practice areas include: family law; limited jurisdiction civil cases; criminal cases (limited to initial appearances and advocacy for pretrial release and misdemeanors with no threat of jail time); administrative law (where the administrative agency allows); and juvenile law (no ICWA cases or contested dependency or termination trials). With a few exceptions, Licensed LPs may offer the following services in the area of licensure in Arizona:
- Draft, sign, and file legal documents;
- Provide advice, opinions, or recommendations about legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, or strategies;
- Appear before a court or tribunal on behalf of a client; and
- Negotiate for a client
Most students will focus on one area of practice. Additional practice areas will require additional coursework to qualify for licensure. Supplementing the core legal subjects, this program combines courses offering the minimum credit requirements outlined by state rules for endorsement areas and can be completed completely online.
For additional information about all our Legal Paraprofessional pathways, please see our Legal Paraprofessional homepage.
Curriculum
All classes are available online, however not every class is available every term. Please consult with an advisor to develop your plan of study.
MLS Required Courses (12 UNITS)
- LAW 501 - Procedure (3 units)
- LAW 502A - American Common Law System I (3 units)
- LAW 502B - American Common Law System II (3 units)
- LAW 504 - American Public Law System (3 units)
LP Required Courses (9 UNITS)
- LAW 507 - Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research (3 units)
- LAW 508 - Evidence in Modern Legal Practice (3 Units) or LAW 608 - Evidence (3 Units)
- LAW 510 - Professional Responsibility in Modern Legal Practice (3 units) or LAW 609 - Professional Responsibility (3 units)
Practice Area Specific Courses (9 UNITS)
FAMILY LAW:
- LAW 556 - Family Law (3 units)
- LAW 593P or LAW 596A or LAW 556A- Legal Internship or Legal Clinic or Online Legal Simulation Course (3 units) (Internship or clinical experience must be related to your future area of authorized practice. Internship must be coordinated in advance to ensure program compliance.)
And one of the following:
- LAW 521 - Administrative Law (3 units)
- LAW 567 - Tribal Courts Practice & Procedure (3 units)
- LAW 668 - Pretrial Litigation (3 units, available in-person only)
- LAW 556A - Arizona Family and Civil Procedure & Advocacy (3 Units, if not already taken as experiential learning)
CIVIL LAW:
- LAW 593P or LAW 596A or LAW 556A- Legal Internship or Legal Clinic or Online Legal Simulation Course (3 units) (Internship or clinical experience must be related to your future area of authorized practice. Internship must be coordinated in advance to ensure program compliance.)
And one of the following:
- LAW 521 - Administrative Law (3 units)
- LAW 567 - Tribal Courts Practice & Procedure (3 units)
- LAW 668 - Pretrial Litigation (3 units, available in-person only)
- LAW 556A - Arizona Family and Civil Procedure & Advocacy (3 Units, if not already taken as experiential learning)
CRIMINAL LAW:
- LAW 558 - Criminal Law (3 units)
- LAW 572 - Criminal Procedure (3 units)
- LAW 593P or LAW 558A - Legal Internship or Online Legal Simulation Course (3 units) (Internship experience must be related to criminal law. Internship must be coordinated in advance to ensure program compliance)
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW:
- LAW 521 - Administrative Law (3 units)
- LAW 593P or LAW 596A or LAW 521A - Legal Internship or Legal Clinic or Online Legal Simulation Course (3 units) (Internship or clinical experience must be related to administrative law.)
And one of the following:
- LAW 578A - Legal and Regulatory Aspects for Health Care Delivery (3 units)
- LAW 579B - Legal and Regulatory Fundamentals of Health Care Business (3 units)
- LAW 580A - Liability and Regulation for Healthcare Professionals (3 units)
- LAW 521A - Arizona Administrative Procedure & Advocacy (3 units, if not already taken as experiential learning)
JUVENILE LAW (NEW SPRING 2024)
- LAW 524 - Dependency Law and Policy (3 units)
- LAW 593P or LAW 596A* - Legal Internship or Legal Clinic (3 units) (Internship or clinical experience must be related to juvenile dependency law.) Clinic available Fall 2024
And one of the following:
- LAW 526 - Children & the Law (3 Units)
- LAW 556 - Family Law (3 Units)
- LAW 565B Mediation (Requires department permission) (3 Units)
Updated: 12/19/2023