Paralegal Studies Degree
Award
Associate in Applied Science Degree
Length
Four-Semester (Two-Year) Program
Purpose
This curriculum is designed to provide an individual with a sufficient level of knowledge, understanding, and proficiency to perform tasks in meeting the needs of clients that can be performed by a training paraprofessional working under the direction and supervision of a lawyer. A paralegal will have a basic understanding of the general process of American law and will have the knowledge and proficiency to perform specific tasks under the supervision of a lawyer in the fields of criminal and civil law.
Occupational Objectives
Legal Secretary.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant.
Legal Support Worker.
Law Clerk.
Title Examiner and Abstractor.
Receptionist and Information Clerk.
Office Clerk.
Office and Administrative Support Worker.
Title Searcher.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the admission requirements established for the college, entry into the Associate in Applied Science degree program in Paralegal Studies requires English prerequisites as described in the college catalog. Additionally, students should have command of the fundamental processes of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, and decimals.
Program Requirements
The two-year Paralegal Studies degree combines instruction in many subject areas required for competence as a legal assistant/paralegal. The curriculum will include 30 hours of legal courses with the remaining courses in related subjects, general education, and elective credits. Upon satisfactory completion of the four-semester curriculum, students will be awarded an Associate in Applied Science degree in Paralegal Studies.
Students who plan to transfer to a four-year college after completing A.A.S. degree requirements should inform their academic advisors at the beginning of studies to determine the appropriate courses to meet transfer requirements.
| Catalog | Course Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
ENG |
111 |
College Composition |
3 |
LGL |
110 |
Intro to Law and the Legal Assistant |
3 |
LGL |
115 |
Real Estate Law for Legal Assistants |
3 |
MTH |
141 |
Business Mathematics I | 3 |
SDV |
100 |
College Success Skills |
1 |
_____ |
_____ |
Social Science Elective1 |
3 |
_____ |
_____ |
Health or PE |
1 |
| Total Credits | 17 |
SECOND SEMESTER (Spring)
| Catalog | Course Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
AST |
141 |
Word Processing I (Word) |
3 |
ENG |
116 |
Writing for Business |
3 |
LGL |
117 |
Family Law |
3 |
LGL |
130 |
Law Office Administration & Management |
3 |
LGL |
228 |
Real Estate Settlement Practicum |
3 |
_____ |
_____ |
Health or PE |
1 |
| Total Credits | 16 |
THIRD SEMESTER (Fall)
| Catalog | Course Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
AST |
142 |
Word Processing II (Word) |
3 |
AST |
232 |
Microcomputer Office Applications |
3 |
LGL |
127 |
Legal Research/Writing |
3 |
LGL |
218 |
Criminal Law |
3 |
_____ |
_____ |
AST/BUS/LGL Elective3 |
3 |
| _____ | _____ | Social Science Elective1 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 |
FOURTH SEMESTER (Spring)
| Catalog | Course Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
AST |
253 |
Advanced Desktop Publishing I |
3 |
LGL |
215 |
Torts |
3 |
LGL |
216 |
Trial Preparation/ Discovery Practice |
3 |
LGL |
225 |
Estate Planning & Probate |
3 |
CST |
137 |
Oral Interpretation |
3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | ||
Total Minimum Credits |
66 | ||
Footnotes:
1Students may choose from college approved Social Science electives on page 55.
2Students may choose from college approved Humanities/Fine Arts electives on page 55.
3LGL 235 recommended