The legal studies program is externally approved by the American Bar Association. And, the legal studies minor teaches foundational skills in the practice of law, including close reading of primary legal texts, legal analysis, legal research and legal writing—skills that are equally applicable to the first year of law school and to entry-level work in the legal profession. The legal studies minor is appropriate for students who aspire to go to law school and is appropriate for students who aspire to work in the legal profession as paralegals. Students who complete the legal studies minor are given a paralegal certificate. Legal assistants and paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law. This minor cannot be completed wholly online. A majority of the courses in this minor must be taken in a traditional face-to-face classroom setting.