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PARALEGAL STUDIES PROGRAM
COURSES
| PAR 100. Introduction to Paralegal
Studies |
|
3 hours |
The introductory course to the paralegal profession. A practical, rather
than theoretical approach is used to explain the role, skills, and responsibilities
of a paralegal. Emphasis is on mastering legal terms, legal research,
writing, and ethics.
| PAR 200. Legal Research and Writing
I |
|
3 hours |
The course emphasis is on how to perform legal research in the library
and on the computer. The fundamentals of the legal analysis and writing,
correct citation form, and eliminating mechanical errors are stressed.
Students who have completed this course at another institution must have
their skills/expertise evaluated by the program director.
Prerequisite: PAR 100
| PAR 201. Legal Research and Writing
II |
|
3 hours |
This course develops and refines skills gained in PAR 200 with an emphasis
on actual written legal documents. Students who have completed this course
at another institution must have their skills/expertise evaluated by the
program director.
Prerequisite: PAR 200
| PAR 210. Law Office Management for
Paralegals |
|
3 hours |
The course offers a realistic look at the law office environment. Practical
information about client management, case files, confidentiality, deadlines,
computer file access, billable hours, and more are covered to help paralegals
prepare for their role in a firm.
Prerequisite: PAR 100
| PAR 300. Civil Litigation Practice |
|
3 hours |
The course deals with a thorough analysis of the litigation process. Discovery
and investigative techniques, pre- and post-trial litigation steps, and
other tasks performed by paralegals are covered.
Prerequisite: PAR 100
| PAR 310. Criminal Law for Paralegals |
|
3 hours |
The course introduces the paralegal student to basic principles that underlie
criminal law while demonstrating the paralegal’s role in the criminal
justice system.
Prerequisite: PAR 100
Cross-listed: CRJ 310
| PAR 320. The Law of Real Property |
|
3 hours |
An introduction to the paralegal student in assisting with document preparation
for commercial and residential real estate transfers and closings. Creation
of documents for appraisals, taxes and mortgage financing.
Prerequisite: PAR 100
| PAR 330. Torts and Personal Injury |
|
3 hours |
The course provides a comprehensive guide to tort law by examining the
various theories of personal injury law. Students are helped to think
and problem solve.
Prerequisite: PAR 100
| PAR 331. Law and the Manager I |
|
3 hours |
This course is designed to acquaint the student with the role of law in
society and in business specifically. Areas of study include contracts,
personal property, bailments and the legal environment of business.
Cross listed: ACC 332, CRJ 333, BUS 330
| PAR 332. Law and the Manager II |
|
3 hours |
This course is designed to acquaint the student with law in the areas
of commercial paper, debtors’ and creditors’ rights, agency, legal forms
of organization, real property and estates.
Cross listed: ACC 333, CRJ 334, BUS 331
| PAR 340. Family Law |
|
3 hours |
The course covers family law from a case law perspective. A wide range
of topics that affect family law are covered, including divorce, child
support, custody, adoption, child abuse, and alimony.
Prerequisite: PAR 100
| PAR 350. The Law of Contracts |
|
3 hours |
This course covers the basics of contract law. Coverage includes contract
formation, Statute of Frauds, damages, parole evidence rule, assignments,
and more. Article 2 of the UCC is also covered. Students learn how to
draft a contract.
Prerequisite: PAR 100
| PAR 410. Bankruptcy Practice |
|
3 hours |
The course is designed to acquaint the paralegal student with the Bankruptcy
code, reduce the statutes to uncomplicated readability, and prepare the
case documents for filing. Chapters 11, 12, and 13 are reviewed; Chapter
7 is stressed.
Prerequisite:PAR100
| PAR 495. Internship |
|
3 hours |
This class provides exposure to the real working environment of legal
assistants. The student actually works in a law office gaining training
with an attorney and staff. One hundred hours in the field and ten hours
in the classroom. The course is taken only after most paralegal courses
have been taken. Consent of program director needed.
| PAR 496. Topics in Paralegal Studies |
|
1-3 hours |
This course will examine topics of special interest in the Paralegal field.
Topics courses (but not specific courses) may be repeated for a total
of 6 hours. Anticipated topics: Labor Law, Municipal Law, Environmental
Law, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, School Law, Intellectual
Property Law, Elder Law, Health Law, International Law, and Zoning and
Land Use Law.
| PAR 497. Research in Paralegal Studies |
|
3 hours |
By participating in a semester-long research program, students earn credit
for their degree. Training in research methodology provides students with
the opportunity to pursue Paralegal Studies from an empirical point of
view. Students will design, implement, and construct a formal report on
a research topic. This course requires senior status, a cumulative 3.25
index in the major, and the approval of the program director.
| PAR 499. Senior Seminar in Paralegal
Studies |
|
3 hours |
This capstone course is designed to assist students in the integration
and critical examination of the various concepts, theories, and methods
of inquiry presented both in general education and the major. Learning
outcomes for both the general education program and the major are reviewed.
Course assignments assist students in assessing the degree for which learning
outcomes have been mastered. Senior standing is required.
Back to the Paralegal Studies
Program
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