Paralegal Studies, Certificate
Certificate—36 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 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 |
Elective Career Courses
Select at least 9 credit hours from these courses:
| CRJ-101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRJ-206 | Substantive Criminal Law | 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 | Estate Plans & Probate/Paralegal | 3 |
| PLS-270 | Real Estate Law for the Paralegal | 3 |
Suggested Schedule
Semester 1 (6 credit hours)
| PLS-110 | Introduction to Paralegal Studies | 3 |
| PLS-125 | Research & Writing for Paralegal I | 3 |
Semester 2 (12 credit hours)
| CIS-115 | Microsoft Office I | 3 |
| PLS-140 | Civil Litigation for the Paralegal | 3 |
| - | | |
| PLS-160 | Law Office Admin for Paralegal | 3 |
| OR- | | |
| PLS-170 | Law Office Technology for Paralegal | 3 |
| - | | |
| PLS-190 | Research & Writing for Paralegal II | 3 |
(Note: Students who begin during the spring semester may take
PLS-160)
Semester 3 (12 credit hours)
| BUS-136 | Business Law | 3 |
| ___-___ | Elective Career Course | 3 |
| ___-___ | Elective Career Course | 3 |
| - | | |
| PLS-160 | Law Office Admin for Paralegal | 3 |
| OR- | | |
| PLS-170 | Law Office Technology for Paralegal | 3 |
(Note: Students who begin during the spring semester may take
PLS-170)
Semester 4 (6 credit hours)
| ___-___ | Elective Career Course | 3 |
| PLS-290 | Paralegal Internship | 3 |