Paralegal Studies (AA) Curriculum

The course gives the student a thorough introduction to the legal system in general, specific areas of the law, and the paralegal's integral role as a member of the legal team. The student will gain a comprehensive understanding of the laws in our society, the importance of ethical and professional responsibility, and the skills needed to thrive in a legal environment. Students learn how professionals work in each area of the law and how each skill directly translates on-the-job. Paralegal students learn about the substantive areas of the law, and how to excel as a professional in each area.

Students will examine a variety of sources of law, explore relevant legal principles, and build their legal vocabulary. This course addresses the long standing legal principles that created the foundation of the American legal system. Through a detailed course of study, students review the structure and systems composing the judicial branch of the U.S. system of government.

In this course students explore concepts related to professional legal ethics and responsibility. Students apply standards of care for legal professionals in areas such as professional care, confidentiality, work products, and privilege. Students examine major principles that affect how the practice of law is regulated and develop analytical skills, recognizing and responding to case study scenarios.

This course assists students in developing a practical knowledge of the legal industry, including technical considerations and law office operations and management. Students examine how law firms and types of legal offices conduct business differently from other industries. Students gain an inventory of the functions and procedures common to a law office environment and the essential skills utilized throughout a legal career.

This course provides students with fundamental and essential legal research and writing skills necessary for all legal professionals. Emphasis is given to resources of law both primary and secondary and an introductory explanation of legal reasoning and analysis. This course emphasizes writing client opinion letters, pleadings, contracts, office memos, memoranda of law, and appellate briefs.

This course teaches the paralegal student proper methods and procedures that must be followed in a legal practice. Emphasis is placed on trial and litigation practices through the study of procedures directly relevant to a paralegal professional. Students examine pre-trial and trial procedures as well as motions and other aspects they will likely encounter in their career. The primary focus is on general litigation practices with some examination into substantive areas such as personal injury, real estate, employment, and intellectual property law.

Students study academic principles of tort and personal injury law and practical skills necessary for the paralegal. Topics covered include fundamental tort law, personal injury law concepts, and real-world, practical skills using annotated cases that examine current topics in the field of tort and personal injury litigation.

This course explores the six steps of contract law: 1) body of law application to the transaction; 2) contract formation, offer and acceptance; 3) freedom to contract, including infancy, illegality, duress, and unconscionability; 4)plaintiff allegation of defendant breach; 5) defendant responses to allegation of breach; and 6) plaintiff remedies for defendant breach of contract. Updated cases and examples are used to reinforce the theories addressed within the content of the course.