Paralegal
Associate of Applied Science Degree
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Recommended basic skills standards are
For more than three decades, the Paralegal program has been educating and training students to meet the needs of the local legal market, while providing students with opportunities beyond the law office environment. The program is an institutional member of the American Association for Paralegal Education, the National Association of Legal Assistants / Paralegals, and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations.
The objectives of the program are to (1) train students for employment as paralegals in a variety of legal settings; (2) provide opportunities for students who wish to upgrade existing job skills; and (3) provide coursework and transfer information to students who are interested in continuing their education.
Graduates will be qualified to perform basic legal research, draft various legal documents, conduct client and witness interviews, participate in basic fact-finding and investigation, and assist in trial preparation. They will also be knowledgeable about the rules of professional and ethical conduct.
Graduates are not authorized to practice law. The Paralegal program provides training perform substantive legal work under the supervision of a licensed attorney.
General Education Courses Part I
Public Speaking |
3 |
|
English Composition I: CO1 |
3 |
|
English Composition II: CO2 |
3 |
|
Career Math or higher |
3 |
|
American Government: SS1 |
3 |
|
|
|
15-16 |
General Education Part II
Select 2 courses (6-9 credit hours) from the General Education Electives for AAS Degrees and Certificates.
Technology Requirement
Paralegal students are required to take CIS 118 or an alternate course as described herein. Students entering with strong computer skills are urged to request a waiver of CIS 118 by applying to the Division of Mathematics and Technology. Waiving will require proof of competency via completion of a self-test and a structured interview with a faculty member from the CIS or CSC department. Waiver requires the credits be replaced by a computer course from the list below.
Introduction to PC Applications |
3 |
|
Complete PC Word Processing |
3 |
|
Complete PC Database |
3 |
|
PC Spreadsheet Concepts |
3 |
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Complete Presentation Graphics |
3 |
Other Course Requirements
NOTE: Students must successfully complete any College Preparatory (under 100 level) courses before enrolling in PAR 115 or subsequent PAR courses.
Computers & the Law |
3 |
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Introduction to Law |
3 |
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Torts |
3 |
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Contracts |
3 |
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Property Law |
3 |
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Legal Ethics |
3 |
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Civil Litigation |
3 |
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Legal Research |
3 |
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Legal Writing |
3 |
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Electives Choose twelve (12) credit hours from electives below |
12 |
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|
39 |
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Total Credit Hours |
63-67 |
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Approved Electives
Choose twelve (12) credit hours from the electives below.
Substantive Criminal Law |
3 |
|
Procedural Criminal Law |
3 |
|
Constitutional Law |
3 |
|
Juvenile Law & Procedures |
3 |
|
Introduction to Mediation |
3 |
|
Family Law |
3 |
|
Criminal Law |
3 |
|
Business Organizations |
3 |
|
Probate & Estates |
3 |
|
Bankruptcy Law |
3 |
|
Cooperative Education |
3 |
|
Capstone |
3 |
Certificate
Gainful Employment Disclosure located at www.ppcc.edu/ge.
Computers & the Law |
3 |
|||
Introduction to Law |
3 |
|||
Torts |
3 |
|||
Contracts |
3 |
|||
Property Law |
3 |
|||
Legal Ethics |
3 |
|||
Civil Litigation |
3 |
|||
Legal Research |
3 |
|||
Legal Writing |
3 |
|||
Electives Choose twelve (12) credit hours from electives below |
12 |
|||
Total Credit Hours |
39 |
|||
Approved Electives
Substantive Criminal Law |
3 |
|
Procedural Criminal Law |
3 |
|
Constitutional Law |
3 |
|
Juvenile Law & Procedures |
3 |
|
Introduction to Mediation |
3 |
|
Family Law |
3 |
|
Criminal Law |
3 |
|
Business Organizations |
3 |
|
Probate & Estates |
3 |
|
Bankruptcy Law |
3 |
|
Cooperative Education |
3 |
|
Capstone |
3 |