Paralegal Studies, Certificate
Certificate—42 credit hours
Curriculum Code 1491
This program prepares the next generation of educated, ethical legal professionals who provide support to lawyers, judges, and others in the legal community. The program’s goals and objectives are identical to those of the Paralegal Studies AAS degree except it is suited to completers of the Associate in Science (AS), Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Engineering Science (AES), Associate in Fine Arts (AFA), or higher postsecondary degrees. Associate in Applied Science (AAS) or Associate in General Studies (AGS) degree holders need to meet with an academic advisor to determine eligibility for the program and if needed develop a bridge program to satisfy the Paralegal Studies AAS general education requirements.
Required General Education Courses
3 credit hours as follows:
| COM-201 | Business and Technical Writing | 3 |
Required Career Courses
27 credit hours as follows:
| BUS-136 | Business Law | 3 |
| CIS-115 | Microsoft Office I | 3 |
| PLS-110 | Introduction to Paralegal Studies | 3 |
| PLS-125 | Research & Writing for Paralegal I | 3 |
| PLS-140 | Civil Litigation for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PLS-160 | Law Office Admin for Paralegal | 3 |
| PLS-170 | Law Office Technology for Paralegal | 3 |
| PLS-190 | Research & Writing for Paralegal II | 3 |
| PLS-290 | Paralegal Internship | 3 |
Electives
Select at least 12 credit hours from these courses:
| CRJ-101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| PLS-210 | Bankruptcy Law for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PLS-220 | Criminal Law for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PLS-230 | Evidence for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PLS-240 | Family Law for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PLS-260 | Probate Law for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PLS-270 | Real Estate Law for the Paralegal | 3 |
Suggested Schedule
Semester 1 (6 credit hours)
Semester 2 (12 credit hours)
| COM-201 | Business and Technical Writing | 3 |
| PLS-125 | Research & Writing for Paralegal I | 3 |
| PLS-140 | Civil Litigation for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PLS-170 | Law Office Technology for Paralegal | 3 |
Semester 3 (12 credit hours)
| PLS-160 | Law Office Admin for Paralegal | 3 |
| PLS-190 | Research & Writing for Paralegal II | 3 |
| PLS-___ | PLS Elective | 3 |
| PLS-___ | PLS Elective | 3 |
Semester 4 (12 credit hours)
| BUS-136 | Business Law | 3 |
| PLS-290 | Paralegal Internship | 3 |
| PLS-___ | PLS Elective | 3 |
| - | | |
| PLS-___ | PLS Elective | 3 |
| OR- | | |
| CRJ-101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |