Your Future in Legal Studies

Joining the conversation is Jennifer Jenkins, Esquire, Senior Dean of Professional Studies, attorney, educator, and longtime changemaker at South College. Together, they explore criminal justice, paralegal studies, emergency management, and the real-world career paths available to students who want to protect, support, and advocate for others.

A Different Kind of Helping Profession

When most people think of “helping professions,” their minds immediately go to healthcare. But Mrs. Jenkins quickly reframes that assumption.

“All of the programs within the School of Legal Studies are helping professions,” she explains. “We help members of our community every day in difficult times of their lives.”

And she means it. Whether it’s a victim navigating the court system, a family going through crisis, a community devastated by a natural disaster, or a client needing legal guidance, graduates from these programs are often the first line of support.

South College offers:

From law offices and police departments to community agencies and disaster response teams, graduates enter fields that make a meaningful impact every single day.

Beyond the Badge: Criminal Justice Careers That Matter

Criminal justice is often associated with law enforcement — and while that is an important pathway, these programs open doors far beyond the police force.

Mrs. Jenkins highlights several enriching and in-demand fields:

Victims Advocacy

Graduates help victims and families navigate hearings, trials, sentencing, and the entire legal process. They become a guiding presence in moments of crisis.

Corrections

State and federal correctional facilities across the country face staffing shortages — and the pay, career mobility, and job security are strong. Criminal justice grads are well positioned for these roles.

Probation & Parole

Officers help individuals re-enter society, find employment, secure housing, and rebuild their lives on solid footing.

Youth Services

Those who want to work with children find deeply meaningful opportunities in juvenile programs and protective services.

Private Security & Investigation

From corporate investigation to armed security roles, private-sector opportunities are diverse and growing.

Mrs. Jenkins says that there are so many different ways you can take degrees in this area.

The Paralegal Path: The Workhorse of the Law Firm

For students who are naturally curious, detail-oriented, and love to research, paralegal studies may be the perfect fit.

Mrs. Jenkins offers the perfect analogy:

“A nurse is to a doctor as a paralegal is to an attorney.”

Paralegals:

And at South College, these programs stand out because:

✔ They are approved by the American Bar Association

This ABA approval signals the rigor, quality, and national recognition of the program.

✔ All courses are taught by licensed attorneys

Students learn from professionals who actively understand legal strategy, ethical boundaries, and real client impact.

✔ Paralegal/legal studies can lead to law school

And yes — graduates have gone on to earn the “Esquire” title.

Mrs. Jenkins shares her own LSAT experience and notes that South College students are far better prepared for law school than she ever was. With the foundation of legal studies, they walk into law school already familiar with case law, analytical writing, and legal reasoning.

Emergency Management: Heroes Before, During, and After Disaster

Emergency management is one of the most talked-about programs on South College’s social media — and for good reason. These graduates play vital roles in disaster preparedness and response across:

They can help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from:

From coordinating shelters to managing multiple agencies during recovery, emergency managers are the backbone of public safety.

As Ms. Stockham notes, watching the recent catastrophic hurricane damage in neighboring Asheville made these roles even more tangible and vital.

“These are the people who coordinate everything when the rest of us wouldn’t know where to begin,” she says.

Meet Mrs. Jennifer Jenkins, Esquire: Attorney, Educator, Advocate

Mrs. Jenkins’ story is the perfect intersection of law and passion.

She began as a practicing attorney specializing in corporate litigation. But everything changed when she decided to teach a single real property law class at the then–Knoxville Business College.

That small class of 16 students changed her life.

“I didn’t realize how much I loved teaching the law,” she recalls. “Their excitement, their questions, their engagement… I fed off of it.”

That moment launched a career-long journey at South College:

She’s been part of South College’s evolution from a single Knoxville campus to more than 20,000 students across 10 campuses and online.

“It’s been like riding a rocket ship,” she laughs. “If we don’t have a program today, we’ll likely have it tomorrow.”

Advice for Future Students: Take the Leap

For anyone considering a legal studies program, Mrs. Jenkins offers this powerful advice:

“There will never be a perfect time. So if you’re thinking about it — take the leap.”

She emphasizes:

“You’ve got people here betting on you,” she says. “We’re going to support you every step of the way.”

Bonus Spotlight: 10 Years of Knoxville’s Hybrid DPT Program

The episode closes with a celebration of a major South College milestone:
10 years of the Knoxville Doctor of Physical Therapy program — the first accelerated hybrid DPT model in the nation.

With:

This program paved the way for expansion into Nashville and Atlanta and remains a national innovator in hybrid doctoral education.

Congratulations to the faculty, founders, and student trailblazers who have shaped the program’s success.

Final Thoughts

From paralegals to disaster responders, probation officers to future lawyers, emergency coordinators to legal advocates, South College’s School of Legal Studies is developing professionals who protect, serve, and support communities in powerful ways.

As the episode wraps, one message rings clear:

If you’re ready to stop watching the action on TV and start being part of it, South College has your path.