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PARALEGAL STUDIES
Course Description: The Paralegal Studies associate degree program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for a wide variety of professional positions in the legal field. Additionally, this program provides a practical course of undergraduate legal study for students interested in becoming an attorney. Learning opportunities develop academic, technical and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The knowledge and skills emphasized in this program include a comprehensive study of substantive law including ethical obligations; research in state and federal law; legal correspondence preparation; family law matters; basic concepts of real property law, criminal law and procedure, civil litigation, tort law, and substantive contract law; and wills, trusts, and probate. The program of study emphasizes opportunities that provide students with specialized legal knowledge and skills possessed by Legal Assistants in the delivery of legal services. Program graduates receive a Paralegal Studies Associate of Applied Science degree and are eligible to sit for the National Association of Legal Assistants’ Examination; graduates who pass the exam become Certified Legal Assistants and are awarded the credentials C.L.A. (Certified Legal Assistant).
Student Learning Outcomes:
• Students will conduct legal research using both print and electronic resources.
• Students will research and develop a case from intake to trial.
• Students will identify legal and ethical obligations imposed upon attorneys and legal assistants.
Length of Program: Five (5) semesters
Cost of Program: Click Here.
Entrance Date: Beginning of each semester.
Program Admission: Any Semester
Entrance Requirements: Refer to Admissions criteria. Click for Entrance Scores.
Age: Applicant must be 18 years of age or older.
Education: An applicant must be a high school graduate or the equivalent (GED). College transcripts will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Advisor: A program advisor should be consulted prior to enrolling in any course. An advisor will be assigned by admissions.
Additional Requirements: A Criminal background check and drug toxicology may be required for Internship/Externship.
Note: Those who have been arrested/convicted of a moral and/or legal violation of the law may not be allowed to complete the practicum requirements or granted permission to take the licensing examination
Program Final Exit Point: Paralegal Studies, Associate of Applied Science.
Credits Required for Graduation: 69 minimum semester hour credits required for graduation. Program graduates receive a Paralegal Studies Associate of Applied Science degree and are eligible to sit for the National Association of Legal Assistants’ Examination; graduates who pass the exam become Certified Legal Assistants and are awarded the credentials C.L.A. (Certified Legal Assistant).
Curriculum |
Credit Hours |
||||
| 1. General Core Courses | 18 | ||||
| Area I: Language Arts/Communication | 6 | ||||
| Required Course(s): | |||||
| ENGL | 1101 | Composition and Rhetoric | |||
| SPCH | 1101 | Public Speaking | |||
| Area II: Social/Behavioral Sciences | 3 | ||||
| Area III: Natural Sciences/Mathematics | 3 | ||||
| Required Course(s): | |||||
| One Mathematics Course | |||||
| Area IV: Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 | ||||
| And one additional course from Area I, II, III, or IV (as approved by program advisor) | 3 | ||||
| General Education courses and electives for the Associate Level can be found on this page. | |||||
| 2. Occupational Courses (51 hours) | |||||
| COMP | 1000 | Introduction to Computers | 3 | ||
| PARA | 1100 | Introduction to Law and Ethics | 3 | ||
| PARA | 1105 | Legal Research and Legal Writing I | 3 | ||
| PARA | 1110 | Legal Research and Legal Writing II | 3 | ||
| PARA | 1115 | Family Law | 3 | ||
| PARA | 1120 | Real Estate Law | 3 | ||
| PARA | 1125 | Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure | 3 | ||
| PARA | 1130 | Civil Litigation | 3 | ||
| PARA | 1135 | Wills, Trusts, Probate and Administration | 3 | ||
| PARA | 1140 | Tort Law | 3 | ||
| PARA | 1145 | Law Office Management | 3 | ||
| PARA | 1150 | Contracts, Commercial Law and Business | 3 | ||
| PARA | 2210 | Paralegal Internship I | 6 | ||
| and three of the following (9 hours) | |||||
| PARA | 1200 | Bankruptcy / Debtor Creditor Relations | (3) | ||
| PARA | 1205 | Constitutional Law | (3) | ||
| PARA | 1210 | Legal and Policy Issues in Healthcare | (3) | ||
| PARA | 1215 | Administrative Law | (3) | ||
| PARA | 2205 | Advanced Legal Research and Writing | (3) | ||
| PARA | 2215 | Paralegal Internship II | (6) | ||
