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PS13 Paralegal Studies, Associate of Applied Science Degree

Offered at the Griffin Campus

Program Entrance Term: Fall, Spring, Summer
Minimum Length of Program: 5 terms
Minimum Credit Hours for Graduation: 69

Program Description

The Paralegal Studies program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for positions in the paralegal profession. Learning opportunities develop academic, technical, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The knowledge and skills emphasized in this program include ethical obligations; research in state and federal law; legal correspondence preparation; family law matters; basic concepts of real property law; criminal law and procedure; civil litigation; tort law; substantive contract law; and wills, trusts, and probate. The program of study emphasizes opportunities that provide students with specialized legal knowledge and skills required to aid lawyers in the delivery of legal services. Program graduates receive a Paralegal Studies Associate of Applied Technology degree.

Admission Requirements

  • Submit completed application and application fee
  • Be at least 16 years of age
  • Submit official high school transcript or GED transcript with test scores and ALL post-secondary transcripts in an official sealed envelope
  • Meet assessment requirements

The following is a suggested path to complete this program in a timely manner. An individual’s path to completion may be different based on institutional and personal factors affecting his/her academic progress.

Note: While all courses are offered, they may vary by term and campus. See the program advisor for any questions.

Program Courses

First Term

ENGL 1101Composition and Rhetoric

3
PARA 1100Introduction to Law and Ethics

3
PARA 1115Family Law

3
PARA 1125Criminal Law & Criminal Procedure

3

ENGL 1101: Required

Choose One: (Required)

COLL 1500Student Success

3
OR
COMP 1000Introduction to Computer Literacy

3

Second Term

PSYC 1101Introductory Psychology

3
ENGL 1102Literature and Composition

3
PARA 1140Tort Law

3
PARA 1145Law Office Management

3
PARA 1105Legal Research & Legal Writing I

3

PSYC 1101: Required

Third Term

MATH 1103Quantitative Skills & Reasoning

3
SPCH 1101Public Speaking

3
PARA 1110Legal Research & Legal Writing II

3
Specific Occupational Elective (3)
Specific Occupational Elective (3)

MATH 1103: Required

Fourth Term

PARA 1150Contracts, Commercial Law & Business Organizations

3
PARA 1120Real Estate Law

3
PARA 1130Civil Litigation

3

Humanities/Fine Arts elective—Choose one: (Required)

HUMN 1101Introduction to Humanities

3
OR
MUSC 1101Music Appreciation

3
OR
ARTS 1101Art Appreciation

3
OR
ENGL 2130American Literature

3
OR
THEA 1101Theatre Appreciation

3
Total Credit Hours:3

Fifth Term

PARA 1135Wills, Trusts, Probate, & Administration

3
PARA 2210Paralegal Internship I

6
Specific Occupational Elective (3)

Specific Occupational Electives

Required

PARA 2215Paralegal Internship II

6
PARA 1205Constitutional Law

3
PARA 1210Legal & Policy Issues in Healthcare

3
PARA 2205Advanced Legal Research and Writing

3
PARA 1215Administrative Law

3
PARA 1200Bankruptcy/Debtor-Creditor Relations

3
ENGL 1105Workplace & Technical Communication

3
Occupational Guided electives

9

Occupational Guided electives include any Degree level class in Accounting, Business Management, Business Technology, Criminal Justice, or Forensic Science. Any Degree level class outside of these programs are subject to advisor approval.

*Course will be accepted when transferred in from another institution with a grade of a C or better but may not be offered at this institution.

PARA 2210, PARA 2215: Students planning to register for internship/clinical course must meet with the faculty advisor one full semester prior to the semester in which the course will begin.