Paralegal Studies - PA2, AAS

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Paralegals (also called “Legal Assistants”) work under the supervision of an attorney and assist in the delivery of legal services. They do substantive legal work the supervising attorney would otherwise do; however, paralegals are not attorneys. Paralegals generally may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law. Paralegals are important members of the legal service team. They perform such functions as interviewing clients and witnesses, drafting legal documents, conducting legal research, and attending depositions and court hearings.

Paralegals are found in a number of work settings, including law offices, government agencies, and corporate offices. This program is approved by the American Bar Association.

It consists of both legal and general education courses. It is intended for the training of paralegals and is not a pre-law course of study.

First Semester

ENGL 1301Ω - English Composition I Credits: 3 ♦
ACNT 1303 - Introduction to Accounting I Credits: 3
BCIS 1305 - Business Computer Applications Credits: 3 ♦
SPCH 1321 - Business and Professional Communication Credits: 3 ♦
POFT 1328 - Business Presentations Credits: 3

Total: 15 SCH

Second Semester

LGLA 1307 - Introduction to Law and the Legal Professions Credits: 3
LGLA 1219 - Paralegal Ethics Credits: 2
LGLA Elective Credits: 3
ENGL 1302Ω - English Composition II Credits: 3 ♦
GOVT 2305Ω - Federal Government Credits: 3 ♦

Total: 14 SCH

Third Semester

LGLA 1355 - Family Law Credits: 3
LGLA 2309 - Real Property Credits: 3
LGLA 1353 - Wills, Trusts and Probate Administration Credits: 3
LGLA Elective (LGLA 2388 Internship or see elective list) Credits: 3
Life and Physical Sciences Elective or Math Elective (3 SCH) and Free elective (1 SCH)♦ Credits: 4

Total: 16 SCH

Fourth Semester

LGLA 1301 - Legal Research and Writing Credits: 3
LGLA 1345 - Civil Litigation Credits: 3
LGLA Elective (See elective list) Credits: 3
LGLA Capstone: LGLA 2333 Advanced Legal Document Preparation or LGLA 2389 Internship Credits: 3►
Creative Arts/Language, Philosophy and Culture♦ Elective Credits: 3

Total: 15 SCH

Total Semester Credit Hours for Degree = 60

► Students should plan to take the capstone course in their last semester and should speak with their advisor prior to registering for the final semester.

♦ Core curriculum course.

+Legal elective to be chosen from:

LGLA 1317 - Law Office Technology Credits: 3
LGLA 1343 - Bankruptcy Credits: 3
LGLA 1351 - Contracts Credits: 3
LGLA 2303 - Torts and Personal Injury Law Credits: 3
LGLA 2305 - Interviewing and Investigating Credits: 3
LGLA 2307 - Law Office Management Credits: 3
LGLA 2311 - Business Organizations Credits: 3
LGLA 2313 - Criminal Law and Procedure Credits: 3
LGLA 2337 - Mediation Credits: 3
LGLA 2388 - Internship: Legal Assistant/Paralegal Credits: 3