College Catalog Programs of Study 2012-2013
PARALEGAL STUDIES
Associate of Applied Science Degree
AL
Purpose: The curriculum is designed to provide an individual with a sufficient level of knowledge, understanding, and proficiency to perform the tasks associated with meeting a client's needs. These tasks can be performed by a trained, non-lawyer assistant working under the direction and supervision of a lawyer. A paralegal or legal assistant will have a basic understanding of the general processes of American law, along with the knowledge and proficiency required to perform specific tasks under the supervision of a lawyer in the fields of civil and criminal law. Occupational objectives include employment in corporate law firms, government agencies, and any of the varied law related fields.
Recommended Preparation: Proficiency in high school English.
Completion Requirements: To remain in the program, students must complete each of the legal courses in the program with a C or better. No more than 50% of the paralegal studies credits required for the A.A.S. degree program, approved by the American Bar Association, may be transferred from another college. Case-by-case exceptions may be made at the discretion of the assistant dean for paralegal studies.
Special Approval Status: The Paralegal Studies program is approved by the American Bar Association.
| Two Years |
Credits |
|
||||
| 1st Semester | ||||||
| ENG | 111 | College Composition I | 3 | |||
| LGL | 110 | Intro to Law & the Legal Assistant | 3 | |||
| LGL | 117 | Family Law | 3 | |||
| LGL | 125 | Legal Research | 3 | |||
| 1PED | 116 | Lifetime Fitness & Wellness | 1 | |||
| 2PHI | 115 | Practical Reasoning | 3 | |||
| 3SDV | 100 | College Success Skills | 1 | |||
| Total | 17 | |||||
| 2nd Semester | ||||||
| ENG | 112 | College Composition II | 3 | |||
| LGL | 126 | Legal Writing | 3 | |||
| LGL | 215 | Torts | 3 | |||
| LGL | 218 | Criminal Law | 3 | |||
| 4MTH | 151 | Math for the Liberal Arts I | 3 | |||
| 1PED/RPK | Elective | 1 | ||||
| Total | 16 | |||||
| 3rd Semester | ||||||
| 5___ | Approved Elective | 3 | ||||
| ITE | 115 | Intro to Computer Applications & Concepts | 3 | |||
| LGL | 115 | Real Estate Law | 3 | |||
| LGL | 217 | Trial Practice & the Law of Evidence | 3 | |||
| LGL | 235 | Legal Aspects of Business Organizations | 3 | |||
| 6PSY | 201 | Intro to Psychology I or | 3 | |||
| SOC 201 Intro to Sociology I | ||||||
| Total | 18 | |||||
| 4th Semester | ||||||
| 5___ | Approved Elective | 2 | ||||
| CST | 110 | Intro to Communication | 3 | |||
| LGL | 225 | Estate Planning & Probate | 3 | |||
| LGL | 230 | Legal Transactions | 3 | |||
| 6PSY | 202 | Intro to Psychology II or | 3 | |||
| SOC 202 Intro to Sociology II | ||||||
| Total | 14 | |||||
| Total credits for the Paralegal Studies A.A.S.=65 | ||||||
1 The PED requirement may be met by one of the following options: PED 116, 2 cr.; PED 116, 1 cr. plus a PED activities course, 1 cr.; or PED 116, 1 cr. plus RPK activities course. PED 116 is offered as both a 1-credit and a 2-credit course.
2 Students may substitute a humanities/fine arts elective selected from the humanities/fine arts courses listed under General Education Electives.
3 Students may substitute the SDV 101 Orientation section related to this program.
4 Any higher level MTH course or a science course (BIO, CHM, GOL, NAS, PHY) may be substituted.
5 Elective courses should be selected after consultation with a counselor or academic advisor, and should be designed to further a student’s career and educational goals.
6 Students may substitute a social science elective selected from the social/behavioral science courses listed under General Education Electives.