School of Continuing Studies: Paralegal Studies
2008-2009 Academic Year
769
CORE COURSES IN PARALEGAL STUDIES
Requirements for the Associate of Arts, the Bachelor of Arts, and the Certificate
in Paralegal Studies include the following sequence of 6 core courses:
PARA 201 Introduction to Paralegal Studies
PARA 302 Legal Research
PARA 303 Legal Writing
PARA 305 Litigation I
PARA 306 Litigation II
PARA 402 Computers in the Law Firm
Sequence of courses: ENGL 101 (or CSEN 125) must be completed prior to
enrollment in any Paralegal Studies course. CPST 100, Introduction to
Microcomputers, or director approval is a prerequisite for PARA 402, Computers
in the Law Firm. PARA 302, Legal Research, is a prerequisite to PARA 303,
Legal Writing. PARA 305, Litigation I is a prerequisite to PARA 306, Litigation
II.
Before registering for courses, new students must consult with the Paralegal
Studies adviser. It is both important and required that students acquire a
grounding in general education courses before enrolling in paralegal coursework.
The adviser completes a degree worksheet with each student charting a path for
successful completion of the degree.
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS IN PARALEGAL STUDIES
For students with little or no college experience, the recommended path is to
pursue the Associate of Arts degree (AA) and then to continue working towards
the Bachelor of Arts degree. All coursework for the A.A. rolls forward and
applies towards the bachelor's degree. Students earn their Certificate in Paralegal
Studies upon the completion of the requirements for the 60-semester hour
Associate of Arts degree.
To receive the Associate of Arts degree with a major in Paralegal Studies,
students must complete a total of 60 hours of coursework. Nine paralegal courses
plus an internship (which has a classroom component) are required to complete
the major. Students begin with the six core paralegal courses (see above). In
addition students must complete three advanced elective courses and the
internship course. Advanced elective courses are paralegal courses at or above the
400-level, a selection of which are offered on a rotating basis each semester. The
core courses must be taken before registering for any of the advanced electives.
Generally, the internship course is taken in the last semester of enrollment. To
successfully complete this degree, the student must maintain a 2.000 grade point