Paralegal Studies Concentration, Arts and Sciences, A.A.
The Paralegal Studies program provides a sequence of courses for students who plan to continue to a four-year degree program, either in Paralegal Studies or in a field appropriate for admission to law school. The program includes electives in business, history, and political science. Students should consult with faculty and advising staff as early as possible to discuss both career and educational goals.
Program Outcomes:
- Understanding of administrative practices and procedures (such as billing, timekeeping, etc.).
- Mastery of substantive areas of the law common to this market (such as contracts, family law, torts, real estate, wills, business organizations and litigation).
- Production of appropriate legal pleadings, documents and correspondence.
- Development of legal research skills using multiple resources, including both books and databases, with appropriate analysis of the law.
- Demonstrate effective communication (both oral and written).
- Gain mastery of sufficient computer literacy to accomplish program outcomes.
- Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving through application of legal principles and decisions to diverse factual scenarios.
- Demonstrate professional attitudes and behaviors.
- View the Paralegal Studies Fact Sheet for faculty contact information and additional program information.
Program Pathway
First Year Fall
| ENG-101 | English Composition | 3 credits |
Gen Ed-
| Mathematics | 3-4 credits |
Gen Ed-
| Behavioral/Social Science | 3 credits |
| PLS-101 | Introduction to Paralegal Studies | 3 credits |
| PLS-102 | Legal Research | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
First Year Spring
| ENG-102 | Advanced English Composition | 3 credits |
-
| Or | |
| ENG-112 | Technical Writing | 3 credits |
-
| | |
Gen Ed-
| Behavioral/Social Science | 3 credits |
Gen Ed-
| Biological/Physical Science | 3-4 credits |
Restricted Elective-
| Choose from the list | 3 credits |
| PLS-103 | Legal Writing and Documents | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Gen Ed (Biological/Physical Science): Of your two Science requirements, one must have a lab.
Second Year Fall
Gen Ed-
| Arts/Humanities | 3 credits |
Gen Ed-
| Diversity | 3 credits |
Gen Ed-
| Biological/Physical Science | 4 credits |
| PLS-105 | Contracts and Torts | 3 credits |
| PLS-202 | Criminal Law and Procedure for PLS | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Gen Ed (Biological/Physical Science): Of your two Science requirements, one must have a lab.
Second Year Spring
Gen Ed-
| Arts/Humanities | 3 credits |
| BUS-104 | Legal Environment of Business | 3 credits |
| PLS-203 | Domestic Relations | 3 credits |
| PLS-104 | Principles of Litigation | 3 credits |
Elective-
| Choose in consultation with advisor | 2 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
General Education Requirements (31-33 Credits)
Arts/Humanities
- Select two courses from the approved General Education course list in the Arts/Humanities category (6 Credits)
Behavioral/Social Sciences
Biological/Physical Science
- Select two courses from the approved General Education course list in the Biological/Physical Science category-one must be a laboratory course (7-8 Credits)
Diversity
- Select one course from the approved General Education course list in the Diversity category (3 Credits)
English
*A minimum grade of "C" or better is required for ENG-101, ENG-101E, ENG-101EP, and ENG-101P
| ENG-101 | English Composition | 3 credits |
-
| | |
| ENG-102 | Advanced English Composition | 3 credits |
-
| Or | |
| ENG-112 | Technical Writing | 3 credits |
Mathematics
- Select one course from the approved General Education course list in the Mathematics category (3-4 Credits)
*(MAT-115 or MAT-115P are preferred)
Program Requirements (24 Credits)
Requirements List
| BUS-104 | Legal Environment of Business | 3 credits |
| PLS-101 | Introduction to Paralegal Studies | 3 credits |
| PLS-102 | Legal Research | 3 credits |
| PLS-103 | Legal Writing and Documents | 3 credits |
| PLS-104 | Principles of Litigation | 3 credits |
| PLS-105 | Contracts and Torts | 3 credits |
| PLS-202 | Criminal Law and Procedure for PLS | 3 credits |
| PLS-203 | Domestic Relations | 3 credits |
Restricted Electives (3 Credits)
Requirements List
Restricted elective credits should be selected in consultation with the coordinator of the Paralegal Studies program or a transfer advisor and the transfer institution in order to satisfy career and/or transfer goals. Please select one course from the list below:
| HIS-201 | United States History to 1877 | 3 credits |
| HIS-202 | United States History Since 1865 | 3 credits |
| PLS-269 | Internship I | 1-3 credits |
| POL-101 | American Government | 3 credits |
| POL-102 | State and Local Government | 3 credits |
| POL-202 | Constitutional Law | 3 credits |
Free Electives (0-2 Credits)
Requirements List
Electives should be selected in consultation with the coordinator of the Paralegal Studies program, transfer advisor, and/or the transfer institution. Some recommended courses are listed below:
Degree Requirement (60 Credits)
Note:
Students who have been convicted of certain crimes may be precluded from employment in this field and may affect internship placement. Please discuss concerns with the Paralegal Studies program coordinator.