PA 101: THE PARALEGAL PROFESSIONAL
(5 Credits)
This is an introductory course that will
familiarize students with the role of the paralegal in both the
workplace and the American legal system. The course is designed
to expose students to current trends and issues in the
profession, the regulation of the profession, the professional
associations available to the paralegal, as well as the ethical
considerations associated with the legal profession. Students
will also receive basic introductions into the various areas of
legal practice, such as law office organization, legal research,
and litigation and advocacy. This course will provide students
with a good introductory overview of the paralegal's role and
contribution to today's legal system.
Total
Certificate Requirements
Credits:
36
Total Program Credits: 36
The Pathway to Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate program consists of a minimum of 36 or 37 quarter credit hours, depending on the student's choice of elective. Total program costs may vary.
PA 110: CIVIL LITIGATION
(5 Credits)
This course introduces students to civil
litigation, the civil law process, rights, and procedures. Topics
include informal fact gathering and investigation, case
management and strategy, jurisdiction, the structure of the court
systems in the United States, parties, pleadings, and
motions.
Prerequisites Required:
Students enrolled in a paralegal studies
program: PA 101; students enrolled in a legal studies program: LS
102
Total
Certificate Requirements
Credits:
36
Total Program Credits: 36
The Pathway to Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate program consists of a minimum of 36 or 37 quarter credit hours, depending on the student's choice of elective. Total program costs may vary.
PA 201: INTRODUCTION TO LEGAL RESEARCH
(5 Credits)
One of the basic tasks performed by the
paralegal is legal research—finding the law. Accurate, concise,
and up-to-date information can be the difference between winning
and losing a lawsuit. Students who complete this course gain
specialized skills in the area of legal
research.
Prerequisites Required:
Prerequisites: CM 220 and PA 205
Total
Certificate Requirements
Credits:
36
Total Program Credits: 36
The Pathway to Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate program consists of a minimum of 36 or 37 quarter credit hours, depending on the student's choice of elective. Total program costs may vary.
PA 205: INTRODUCTION TO LEGAL ANALYSIS AND WRITING
(5 Credits)
Some of the tasks performed by a skilled
paralegal are to summarize statutes or regulations, analyze the
component parts of written opinions of appellate judges through
briefing, identify the legal issues in a fact pattern, and apply
the reasoning of relevant legal authorities to a fact pattern.
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to
analyze and synthesize legal authorities and draft correspondence
and memoranda commonly used in the practice of
law.
Prerequisites Required:
PA 201
Total
Certificate Requirements
Credits:
36
Total Program Credits: 36
The Pathway to Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate program consists of a minimum of 36 or 37 quarter credit hours, depending on the student's choice of elective. Total program costs may vary.
PA 253: LEGAL ETHICS
(5 Credits)
Legal assistants and paralegals must always
consider the duty owed to the clients. Are the clients protected
against having confidential information revealed? What are the
duties and responsibilities regarding the ethical conduct of the
paralegal? This course discusses these areas and presents canons,
codes of ethics, ethical and procedural practices in a law
office, licensing and certification, and
more.
Prerequisites Required:
Students enrolled in a paralegal studies
program: PA 101; students enrolled in a legal studies program: LS
102
Total
Certificate Requirements
Credits:
36
Total Program Credits: 36
The Pathway to Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate program consists of a minimum of 36 or 37 quarter credit hours, depending on the student's choice of elective. Total program costs may vary.
PA 305: LAW OFFICE MANAGEMENT
(6 Credits)
Legal professionals are often called upon to
handle office management functions. Effective law office managers
save their offices time and money and become valuable members of
the legal team. The management skills covered in this course can
be applied to any office. This course guides students in creating
a procedures manual that can be used at the office and as a
portfolio of their work.
Prerequisites Required:
Students enrolled in a paralegal studies
program: PA 101; students enrolled in a legal studies program: LS
102
Total
Certificate Requirements
Credits:
36
Total Program Credits: 36
The Pathway to Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate program consists of a minimum of 36 or 37 quarter credit hours, depending on the student's choice of elective. Total program costs may vary.
PA 261: BANKRUPTCY AND DEBTOR-CREDITOR LAW
(5 Credits)
When it comes to debtors' and creditors'
rights, it is important to know both sides. This course presents
the law governing the collection of debts, the Fair Debt
Collection Practices Act, creditors' remedies, the Uniform
Fraudulent Conveyances Act, and exempt property. Chapters 7, 11,
and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code are also
presented.
Prerequisites Required:
Students enrolled in a paralegal studies
program: PA 101; students enrolled in a legal studies program: LS
102
PA 260: CRIMINAL LAW
(5 Credits)
In this course, students learn about criminal
law. They learn about the elements and types of crimes, including
homicide, crimes against the person, crimes against habitation
and occupancy, crimes against property, sexual offenses, and
crimes involving more than one defendant. They also cover
criminal capacity and defenses to crimes. Finally, students are
introduced to criminal procedures followed in the United States
and the concept of probable cause.
Prerequisites Required:
Students enrolled in a paralegal studies
program: PA 101; students enrolled in a legal studies program: LS
102
PA 250: FAMILY LAW
(5 Credits)
This course presents major issues in family
law, such as the nature of marriage, antenuptial contracts,
annulments, separation, divorce, child custody, child support,
alimony, tort action, adoption, property distribution, and
current trends.
PA 300: REAL ESTATE LAW
(6 Credits)
In this course, students will become familiar
with procedures and documentation of real estate transactions.
The course will address a wide range of issues and functions
within the field of real estate law, including ethics, types of
ownership, use, possession, mortgages, financing, taxation,
closings, and litigation.
Prerequisites Required:
Students enrolled in a paralegal studies
program: PA 101; students enrolled in a legal studies program: LS
102
PA 221: WILLS, TRUSTS, AND ESTATE PLANNING
(5 Credits)
Wills divide the property a person has
accumulated during his/her life; precise legal requirements must
be met when preparing wills. Topics include the basic elements of
a will; types of wills; responsibilities of the personal
representative; contesting, revoking, and terminating a will; the
role of government; classes of trusts; rules governing trusts;
and purposes of estate planning, probate, guardianships, and
more. Tax ramifications are also discussed.
Total
Certificate Requirements
Credits:
36
Total Program Credits: 36
The Pathway to Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate program consists of a minimum of 36 or 37 quarter credit hours, depending on the student's choice of elective. Total program costs may vary.