Paralegal Studies Minor
The Paralegal Studies Program, approved by the American Bar Association, offers the student a balanced and varied background in theoretical and practical aspects of law which are necessary for work as a legal assistant. Paralegals—sometimes referred to as legal assistants or legal analysts—work under the supervision of an attorney, in a variety of areas ranging from real estate, litigation and family law to patent, trademark and estate practice. The program develops intellectual and analytical skills, educates students for direct employment opportunities in the paralegal field, and provides additional career possibilities in combination with a student’s major. With the exception of giving legal advice, making court appearances and setting fees, a paralegal may carry out many tasks. Paralegals may not provide legal services to the public, except as permitted by law.
Program Requirements
Complete with a minimum 2.75 GPA:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PALG 210 | Law and Litigation | 3 |
| PALG 312 | Research and Writing for Paralegals | 3 |
| PALG 497 | Paralegal Seminar and Internship | 3 |
| or PALG 498 | Cooperative Education: Paralegal Studies | |
| Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
Select 3-12 credits from the following: | ||
| Real Estate Law | ||
| Contract Law | ||
| Fundamentals of Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law | ||
| Wills, Trusts and Probate Law | ||
| Family Law | ||
| Corporations and Partnerships | ||
Select 0-9 credits from the following: | ||
| Criminal Law and Procedure | ||
| Immigration Law | ||
| Negotiation, Mediation and Arbitration | ||
| Evidence | ||
| Computer-Assisted Research in the Legal Environment | ||
| Bankruptcy Law | ||
| Administrative Law and Procedure | ||
| Personal Injury Law | ||
| Computer Applications in the Legal Environment | ||
| Employment Law | ||
| Independent Study in Paralegal Studies | ||
| Selected Topics in Paralegal Studies | ||
| Advanced Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law | ||
| Consumer Law | ||
| Elder Law | ||
| Civil Trial Preparation | ||
| Entertainment Law | ||
| Trademark Law | ||
| Criminal Trial Preparation | ||
| Law Office Management and Technology | ||
Select 0-3 credits from the following: | ||
| Juries and Justice | ||
| Rights, Liberties and American Justice | ||
| Skills for Bilingual Legal Personnel | ||
| Law in Society: Criminal Law | ||
| Total Credits | 21 | |