Program Requirements

First Semester

Course #Course TitleCreditsPrerequisites/Comments

110-101Paralegal & Legal Ethic, Intro3Fall only | Program studentAn introduction to the legal profession, the courts, legal ethics, legal terminology, research, and the role of paralegals.

110-102Civil Litigation I3Fall only | Program studentThe initial procedures associated with the preliminary stages of civil litigation, including pleadings, discovery, and motions.

110-104Legal Research3Fall only | Program studentAn application of legal research techniques, using traditional and computer-assisted resources.

809-122Intro to Amer Government3Introduces American political processes and institutions. Focuses on rights and responsibilities of citizens and the process of participatory democracy. Learners examine the complexity of the separation of powers and checks and balances. Explores the role of the media, interest groups, political parties, and public opinion in the political process. Also explores the role of state and national government in our federal system.

801-136English Composition 13This course is designed for learners to develop knowledge and skills in all aspects of the writing process. Planning, organizing, writing, editing, and revising are applied through a variety of activities. Students will analyze audience and purpose, use elements of research and format documents using standard guidelines. Individuals will develop critical reading skills through analysis of various written documents.

801-219English Composition 13English Composition 1 develops critical thinking, reading, writing, listening, and speaking for both exposition and argumentation. The course emphasizes college-level writing skills supported by reasoning, organization, and language conventions for research, presentations, and other discourse.

TOTAL CREDITS:15 

Second Semester

Course #Course TitleCreditsPrerequisites/Comments

106-141Computer Applications-Legal3Spring only | Program student; 110-101 and 110-102This course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge, skills, processes, and understanding of various types of software used in the law office, including word processing, spreadsheet, calendaring, timekeeping, and billing software.

110-103Civil Litigation II3Spring only | Program student; 110-102 and 110-104 and (801-106 or 801-136 or 801-219 or BA Test Score or BS Test Score)This course demonstrates the substantive law, process and procedure, and typical recurring tasks relating the post-pleadings stages of civil litigation. These include evidence, discovery (depositions, interrogatories, physical and mental exams, requests for admissions) methods of case resolution (judgment, settlement, dismissal, and alternative disputes, and requests for admissions) methods of case resolution (judgment, settlement, dismissal, and alternative dispute resolution) trial practice, post-trial and post-judgment matters, and appellate procedure.

110-105Legal Writing3Spring only | Program student; 110-102 and 110-104 and (801-106 or 801-136 or 801-219 or BA Test Score or BS Test Score)An advanced writing course concentrating on legal correspondence, forms, memoranda, and briefs.

110-106Family Law3Spring only | Program student; 110-102 and 110-104 and (801-106 or 801-136 or 801-219 or BA Test Score or BS Test Score)Basic legal concepts in the area of family relations, including premarital agreements, parental rights, and divorce.

110-122Debtor and Creditor Relations3Spring only | Program student; 110-102 and 110-104 and (801-136 or 801-106 or 801-219 or BA Test Score or BS Test Score)A review of legal issues involving debtors, creditors, and third parties.

TOTAL CREDITS:15 

Third Semester

Course #Course TitleCreditsPrerequisites/Comments

110-111Insurance Law3Fall only | Program student; 110-102 and 110-104 and (801-136 or 801-219 or BA Test Score or BS Test Score)Insurance Law is designed to provide students with a working knowledge of the law of insurance. The course will cover subject areas including the nature and function of insurance; the nature and function of first-party insurance such as automobile, life, health, and property insurance; and the design, interpretation and regulation of insurance contracts, particularly in regards to coverage disputes between policy holder and insurer.

110-114Administration of Estates3Fall only | Program student; 110-103 or (BA Test Score or BS Test Score)Basic legal concepts of intestacy and testacy, including probate forms and procedures.

110-160Employment Law3Fall only | Program student; 110-102 and 110-104 and (801-136 or 801-219 or BA Test Score or BS Test Score)Analysis of federal and state laws governing employment relationships.

110-168Criminal Law-Paralegal3Fall only | Program student; 110-103 or (BA Test Score or BS Test Score)Analysis of federal and state laws governing employment relationships.

809-159Abnormal Psychology3This course surveys the essential features, possible causes, and assessment and treatment of the various types of abnormal behavior from the viewpoint of the major theoretical perspectives in the field of abnormal psychology. Students will be introduced to the diagnosis system of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). In addition, the history of the psychology of abnormality will be traced. Cultural and social perspectives in understanding and responding to abnormal behavior will be explored as well as current topics and issues within abnormal psychology.

809-198Intro to Psychology3This introductory course in psychology is a survey of the multiple aspects of human behavior. It involves a survey of the theoretical foundations of human functioning in such areas as learning, motivation, emotions, personality, deviance and pathology, physiological factors, and social influences. Additional topics include research methods, biological and environmental impacts, development, sensation and perception, consciousness, intelligence and stress. This course directs the student to an insightful understanding of the complexities of human relationships in personal, social, and vocational settings.

TOTAL CREDITS:15 

Fourth Semester

Course #Course TitleCreditsPrerequisites/Comments

110-110Real Estate Law3Spring only | Program student; (110-102 and 110-104) and (801-136 or 801-106 or 801-219 or BA Test Score or BS Test Score)Drafting real estate descriptions, listing contracts, offers to purchase, deeds, land contracts, mortgages, foreclosure pleadings, transfer tax returns, and leases.

110-147Immigration Law3Spring only | Program student; 110-102 and 110-104 and (801-136 or 801-106 or 801-219) or (BA Test Score or BS Test Score)This course introduces the student to the basic law and legal concepts involved in the immigration and naturalization process. This includes entry of aliens into the United States and permanent residence based upon an offer of employment or family relationship. Additional areas of law discussed in this course will include problems individuals face with political asylum, deportation and exclusion.

110-142Paralegal Internship3144 hrs off campus work exp. | Program student; 110-101 and (110-114 or 110-168) and (110-103 and 110-105 or concurrent)Students gain practical experience working in a legal environment under the supervision of an attorney or other qualified professional for a minimum of 144 hours. In addition, students meet one hour weekly to discuss legal office experiences and ethical considerations, learn effective job search techniques, and develop professional image.

110-143Paralegal Field Study3144 hrs independent study | Program student; 110-101 and (110-114 or 110-168) and (110-103 and 110-105 or concurrent)Students engage in a field study of a specialty legal practice area in lieu of completing a paralegal internship. Students work with an advisor to identify an area of legal specialty study and to plan an appropriate field study. The field study includes reading textbooks and legal literature, interviewing practicing attorneys and paralegals working in the specialty area, and preparing a report and presentation.

801-196Oral/Interpersonal Comm3Focuses on developing effective listening techniques and verbal and nonverbal communication skills through oral presentation, group activity, and other projects. The study of self, conflict, and cultural contexts will be explored, as well as their impact on communication.

801-198Speech3Explores the fundamentals of effective oral presentation to small and large groups. Topic selection, audience analysis, methods of organization, research, structuring evidence and support, delivery techniques, and other essential elements of speaking successfully, including the listening process, form the basis of the course.

804-189Introductory Statistics3Students taking this course will learn to display data with graphs, describe distributions with numbers, perform correlation and regression analyses, and design experiments. They will use probability and distributions to make predictions, estimate parameters, and test hypotheses. They will learn to draw inferences about relationships including ANOVA.

806-225Introduction to Astronomy3This introductory course in astronomy consists of a lab and lecture component. Students will cover the topics of astronomical motion, the life cycle of stars, the structure and scale of the universe, various forms of light and the electromagnetic spectrum, gravity, nuclear fusion, classification and characteristics of various astronomical objects, the Big Bang theory, galaxies, historical events in the field of astronomy, constellations, the evolution of our solar system, and applying the scientific method to the cosmos.

809-128Marriage & Family3This course introduces the student to the sociological aspects of marriage and family life in contemporary American society. Emphasis is on the study of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral patterns associated with courtship, love, mate selection, sexuality, and marriage. Moreover, it discusses the life span development in the family life cycle, balancing work and family, and parenting. This course is based on the premise that human attitudes, feelings, and behaviors are largely shaped and influenced by philosophy, gender, communication, and personal beliefs. Therefore, success in the institutions of marriage and family require knowledge and skills in the roles of spouse and parent and ways to apply concepts to daily life.

809-195Economics3Designed to give an overview of how a market-oriented economic system operates, and it surveys the factors which influence national economic policy. Basic concepts and analyses are illustrated by reference to a variety of contemporary problems and public policy issues. Concepts include scarcity, resources, alternative economic systems, growth, supply and demand, monetary and fiscal policy, inflation, unemployment and global economic issues.

TOTAL CREDITS:18