Paralegal Studies, Associate in Applied Science
Effective: Fall, 2016
Paralegal Studies is an associate degree program intended to train a generalist paralegal. Graduates from the associate degree program will have a strong foundation in the areas of legal research and writing, contracts, torts, criminal law, and property law. Associate degree program graduates are likely to find employment as paralegals under the direction of attorneys (to do otherwise would be practicing law without a license) in law firms, legal departments of large corporations, insurance companies, title companies, legal service companies and federal, state or local courts and governmental agencies.
Students who wish to pursue additional education in law or in other disciplines as part of their future plans should consult with an advisor before selecting courses.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the associate degree program in Paralegal Studies, students should be able to:
- Conduct legal research to identify the appropriate laws, judicial decisions, regulations and other legal literature to specific legal problems, and use critical thinking to analyze results of such research.
- Draft memoranda, briefs, and other legal documents applicable to the field of law being studied.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the paralegal’s role in (i) trial preparation, (ii) trial proceedings, and (iii) settlement negotiations.
- Investigate and develop the facts of a case, maintain relevant case files, and maintain and organize relevant case file documents, such as correspondence, pleadings, reports and briefs.
- Identify and analyze the ethical issues that arise for the Paralegal Professional.
- Apply modern technology to the performance of legal work and tasks.
First Semester (15 credits)
| Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENG 100 - English Composition I | 3 |
| PLG 100 - Introduction to the Paralegal Profession | 3 |
| PLG 110 - Legal Research and Writing I | 3 |
| PLG 130 - Technology in the Law | 3 |
| Electives |
|---|
| Mathematics Elective: Any Quantitative Reasoning designated MAT course (MAT 120 or higher, excluding MAT 125) (3 credits) |
Second Semester (15 credits)
| Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| COMM 100 - Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| PLG 120 - Legal Research and Writing II | 3 |
| PLG 140 - Contract Law | 3 |
| PLG 240 - Criminal Law and Procedure | 3 |
| Electives |
|---|
| Philosophy Elective - any Global Understanding designated PHI course (3 credits) |
Third Semester (16 credits)
| Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| ACC 100 - Applied Accounting | 3 |
| ENG 112 - English Composition II: Writing About Literature | 3 |
| PLG 220 - Real Estate Law | 3 |
| PLG 210 - Civil Litigation and Tort Principles | 3 |
| Electives |
|---|
| Science Elective - any Scientific Inquiry designated science course ( 4 credits) |
Fourth Semester (15-16 credits)
| Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| PLG 211 - Civil Litigation and Tort Applications | 3 |
| Please pick one of the following courses highlighted in blue: | |
| PLG 199 - Paralegal Experience and Legal Ethics | 4 |
| PLG 197 - Paralegal Practicum and Legal Ethics | 3 |
| Electives |
|---|
| (2) PLG Elective ( 6 credits) |
| Social Science/Humanities Elective - any Diversity and Social Justice designated Social Science or Humanities course (3 credits) |
| Notes |
|---|
PLG Elective: Select six (6) credits from PLG 200, PLG 230, PLG 241, PLG 242, PLG 243, PLG 244, PLG 246 |
| Notes |
|---|
|
Total Credits: 61-63
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