Summer Practicum Students

Pick up your Application and Handbook outside of C-245A.  Your completed application is due to the program manager no later than April 10, 2008.  You must have at least a 2.75 GPA  in paralegal studies in order to enroll in the PL 2851 Paralegal Practicum.

ATTENTION PARALEGAL EMPLOYERS:
Please take a moment to click on the link below and complete a brief legal employer survey. The information you provide will enable us to better prepare our students for employment. In addition, as part of our ongoing approval process, our program is required to elicit information from local employers and report employer survey information to our national approval body, the American Bar Association (ABA).

To take the survey, please click here.

Paralegal Studies 

Area of Study: Paralegal Studies 
Degree/Certificate: Associate of Applied Business degree in Paralegal Studies 
Program Description

The program educates students to serve as paralegal professionals and work independently in the legal field under the supervision of attorneys.  Students receive a general legal education with course work in law office technology, law office administration and computer assisted legal research.

Graduates are prepared for careers in business, industry or non-profit corporations that interface with the legal system.  Typical employers include law firms, insurance companies, local, state and federal government, title companies, banks and corporations.

Paralegals organize and manage work flow in law office settings, draft legal documents, research and draft legal memoranda, and prepare attorney billings. They conduct background checks, interview clients and pursue factual investigations for employers. Paralegals may prepare witnesses for depositions and for trial. They organize client files and generally maintain client relationships. Paralegals may serve as employer liaisons to business, the police, other attorneys, government officials and the courts.Paralegals cannot accept a case, set fees, give legal advice or represent a client in court.

This is an American Bar Association (ABA)approved program.
http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals


This program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the following program outcomes:
Paralegal Studies Degree Outcomes.pdf

Program Requirements

Suggested Semester Sequence

First Semester Credits

ACCT-1020

Applied Accounting

3

ENG-1010

College Composition I

3

IT-1010

Introduction to Microcomputer Applications (1)

3

PL-1000

Introduction to Paralegal Profession

2

PL-1300

Civil Procedure

3

POL-1010

American National Government (2)

3

Total

17

Second Semester   Credits

ENG-1020

College Composition II

3

MATH-1060

Survey of Mathematics or higher (3)

3

PL-1400

Basic Legal Research and Writing

3

PL-1501

Law Office Technology

2

PL-xxxx

Any PL elective course

2-3

POL-1100
OR
PSY-1010
OR
UST-1010

Constitutional Law
OR
General Psychology
OR
Introduction to Urban Studies (2)

3

Total

16-17

Third Semester   Credits

ACCT-1310
OR
EHST-1310
OR
FIN-1110
OR
HS-1220
OR
MA-1010
OR

REAL-1401
OR
REAL-1601

Financial Accounting
OR
Introduction to Environmental Law
OR
Principles of Finance
OR
Diagnostic Tools and Legal Considerations
OR
Introduction to Medical Terminology
OR

Real Estate Law
AND
Real Estate Finance





 

1-4

PL-2301

Torts and Evidence

4

PL-2440

Business Transactions

3

PL-xxxx

Any PL elective course

3

Arts & Hum/Soc & Beh Sci.

See Catalog for AAB Degree requirements (2)

2

Total

14-16

Fourth Semester   Credits

PL-2400

Computer Assisted Legal Research

3

PL-2420

Probate Law

3

PL-2460

Business Organizations

3

PL-2851

Paralegal Practicum (4)

1

PL-2990

Paralegal Capstone (C)

2

PL-2xxx

Any 2000-level PL elective courses

3

Total

15

Program Total Credits

 

62-65

Notes

(1)  May be waived with satisfactory score on a credit by exam test admininstered by the IT Department-interested students should submit a petition for an award of comparable credit.

(2) Minimum of 8 semester credits in Arts & Hum/Soc & Beh Sci required—must include POL-1010 and POL-1100 or PSY-1010 or UST-1010.

(3) A higher level MATH course may be used to fulfill this requirement with the exception of MATH-1800/2800 & 1820/2820.

(4) Can be waived with documentation of equivalent experience. Minimum of 60 credits for the degree still required.  Interested students should submit a petition for substitution/waiver avaialble from the Admissions/Records Office.

Note: Courses as listed satisfy degree competencies and skills.

(C) = Capstone Course - this course is required of all program students.

Program Outcome