The Associate of Science Paralegal Studies degree is designed to prepare students for paraprofessional positions in the legal field. Graduates may use their degree to obtain an immediate position in the field, or they may choose to pursue further study. Student pursuing an AS degree in Paralegal Studies must obtain specific skill sets before being eligible for graduation. In addition to becoming familiar with basic principles of the law, students will also acquire analytical, technical, and communication skills
Program Objectives:
In addition to the institutional and general education level learning objectives, the Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies also seeks the following specific learning outcomes of its graduates. With reference to each of the respective areas of paralegal studies, graduates in this degree program will be able to:
Apply legal research methods and techniques that are used in the practice of law.
Develop skills in legal reasoning, in identifying and effectively using legal resources and in writing legal documents.
Evaluate the importance of secondary sources in legal research.
Describe the primary rules and sources and roles of each in legal research.
Distinguish how advice, persuasion, and advocacy enter into legal research.
Demonstrate knowledge of the nature and function of law, and the principles and concepts as they relate to the paralegal and apply critical legal thinking and analytical skills to resolve typical situations or facts.
Comprehend and describe what a paralegal is and how he/she fits into the legal system.
Degree Program Requirements
Required Course - 3 semester hours
RQ295 / COLL100 - Foundations of Online Learning - Required as the first course in all undergraduate programs.
General Education Requirements (38 semester hours)
English Composition - 6 semester hours
EN101 / ENGL101 - Proficiency in Writing [Required]
EN102 / ENGL102 - Effectiveness in Writing
EN202 / ENGL200 - Composition and Literature
Social Sciences - 6 semester hours
SS101 / ECON101 - Microeconomics
SS102 / ECON102 - Macroeconomics
SS111 / GEOG101 - Introduction to Geography
SS133 / SOCI111 - Introduction to Sociology
SS134 / PSYC101 - Introduction to Psychology
SS190 / ANTH100 - Introduction to Anthropology
SS210 / CHFD220 - Human Sexuality
SO220 / SOCI220 - American Popular Culture
Science - 8 semester hours including the required 1 hour lab
SC100 / SCIN100 - Introduction to Biology
SC198 / SCIN101 - Introduction to Biology Lab
SC101 / SCIN102 - Introduction to Chemistry
SC199 / SCIN103 - Introduction to Chemistry Lab
SC102 / SCIN104 - Introduction to Human Anatomy & Physiology
SC122 / SCIN105 - Introduction to Human Anatomy & Physiology Lab
SC103 / SCIN106 - Introduction to Physics
SC123 / SCIN107 - Introduction to Physics Lab
SC104 / SCIN108 - Introduction to Astronomy
SC124 / SCIN109 - Introduction to Astronomy Lab
SC106 / SCIN110 - Introduction to Oceanography
SC126 / SCIN111 - Introduction to Oceanography Lab
SC107 / SCIN112 - Introduction to Meteorology
SC127 / SCIN113 - Introduction to Meteorology Lab
SC108 / SCIN114 - Introduction to Physical Geology
SC128 / SCIN115 - Introduction to Physical Geology Lab
SC105 / SCIN116 - Introduction to Forestry
SC125 / SCIN117 - Introduction to Forestry Lab
SC110 / SCIN118 - Introduction to Human Ecology
SC120 / SCIN119 - Introduction to Human Ecology Lab
Mathematics - 3 semester hours
MA112 / MATH110 - College Algebra
MA113 / MATH111 - College Trigonometry
MA125 / MATH125 - Math for Liberal Arts Majors
MA225 / MATH225 - Calculus
History - 6 semester hours
HS101 / HIST101 - American History to 1877
HS102 / HIST102 - American History since 1877
HS111 / HIST111 - World Civilization before 1650
HS112 / HIST112 - World Civilization since 1650
HS121 / HIST121 - Western Civilization before The Thirty Years War
HS122 / HIST122 - Western Civilization since The Thirty Years War
HS215 / HIST223 - History of the American Indian
HS217 / HIST221 - African-American History before 1877
HS218 / HIST222 - African-American History since 1877
Humanities - 3 semester hours
HM101/ SPAN100 - Spanish I
HM102 / SPAN101 - Spanish II [Prerequisite: HM101]
HM103 / FREN100 - French I
HM104 / FREN101 - French II [Prerequisite: HM103]
HM105 / ARAB100 - Arabic I
HM106 / ARAB101 - Arabic II [Prerequisite: HM105]
HM107 / RUSS100 - Russian I
HM108 / RUSS101 - Russian II [Prerequisite: HM107]
HM109 / CHIN100 - Chinese I (Mandarin)
HM110 / CHIN101 - Chinese II (Mandarin) [Prerequisite: HM109]
HM111 / GERM100 - German I
HM112 / GERM101 - German II [Prerequisite: HM111]
HM200 / MUSI200 - Music Appreciation
HM230 / RELS201 - Introduction to World Religions
HM240 / ARTH200 - Art Appreciation
HM277 / PHIL200 - Introduction to Ethics
PH101 / PHIL101 - Introduction to Philosophy
GM200 / COMM200 - Public Speaking
Literature - 3 semester hours
All literature courses require successful completion of EN101 - Proficiency in Writing or EN102 - Effectiveness in Writing
HM201 / LITR220 - American Literature before the Civil War
HM202 / LITR221 - American Literature from The Civil War to Present
HM221 / LITR210 - English Literature: Beowulf to 18th Century
HM222 / LITR211 - English Literature: 18th Century to Present
HM211 / LITR201 - World Literature through the Renaissance
HM212 / LITR202 - World Literature since the Renaissance
Political Science - 3 semester hours
SS121 / POLS210 - American Government I
SS131 / IRLS210 - International Relations I
Core Requirements (24 semester hours)
CJ345 / LSTD207 - Civil Practice and Procedure
CJ398 / LSTD205 - Legal Research and Writing
GM140 / LSTD100 - Introduction to the Law
GM243 / LSTD200 - Paralegal Ethics
GM244 / LSTD201 - Litigation
GM245 / LSTD208 - General Practice
GM247 / LSTD202 - Real Estate Law
GM249 / LSTD203 - Criminal Law and Procedure for the Paralegal
Elective Requirements (0 semester hours)
There are no elective requirements for this degree.
