Paralegal Studies, A.A.S.

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Dr. Susan Woods Coffindaffer, Paralegal Studies Program Coordinator
144 Education Building / (304)367-3668
Locust Avenue Campus
Susan.Coffindaffer@pierpont.edu

Program Purpose

Paralegals are highly skilled paraprofessionals who work in a variety of settings under the direct supervision of an attorney. Job responsibilities require the Paralegal to have knowledge of the law and legal procedures, interviewing and case investigation skills, the ability to conduct legal research, and prepare and manage legal documents. Interpersonal communication and office management skills are also important for success. The Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies is designed to build professional competencies in each of these areas.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the A.A.S. in Paralegal Studies, graduates will be able to do the following:

Apply knowledge of local, state, and federal law and legal procedures in a variety of situations, both civil and criminal
Apply concepts of interviewing and case investigation skills in a variety of situations to establish baseline information for cases being handled through the law practice
Conduct independent legal research using primary and secondary documents, both physical and from online databases
Prepare and manage legal documents for multiple applications, maintaining confidentiality, security, and ethical issues
Practice and apply interpersonal communication and office management skills contributing to the successful operation of the legal office

Opportunities

Graduates of the Paralegal program can enter the field into a variety of paralegal and related jobs, including the following job titles: Paralegal (private and public); Director and or Coordinator for law office; Preparer of legal documents (including briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills); Contract and Estate Closing Officer; Real and Personal Property Appraiser (may require some additional training); Assistant Real Estate Closing Processor; Legal Investigator; Data Collection/Analyzer; Legal Writing Assistant (statutes, decisions and legal articles, codes and documents); Private investigator; and Legal Aid Assistant.

AAS Paralegal Studies/Land Management Required Courses 60 SEM. HRS.

* Requires Prerequisite or Permission

COM 2200 - Introduction to Human Communications 3 hr(s).
CRJU 2240 - Adjudication Process 3 hr(s). (General Paralegal Studies Only)
DRFT 2254 - Mapping 3 hr(s). (Landwork Specialization Only)
-OR
MGMT 2209 - Principles of Management 3 hr(s).
-OR
OFAD 2220 - Spreadsheet Design 3 hr(s).
~ENGL 1104 - Written English I 3-4 hr(s).
~ENGL 1108 - Written English II 3 hr(s).
-OR
~ENGL 1109 - Technical Report Writing 3 hr(s). (“C” or higher in ENGL 1108 or ENGL 1109 for graduation) *
OFAD 1150 - Computer Concepts and Applications 3 hr(s).
~MTH 1207 - Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics 3-4 hr(s).
PARA 1101 - Introduction to Paralegal Studies 3 hr(s).
PARA 1102 - Legal Terminology 3 hr(s).
PARA 1103 - Introduction to Legal Practice Areas 3 hr(s).
PARA 1104 - Interviewing and Investigating 3 hr(s). (General Paralegal Studies Only)
PARA 1141 - Introduction to Landwork 3 hr(s). (Landwork Specialization Only)
PARA 2201 - Legal Research and Writing I 3 hr(s).
PARA 2202 - Legal Research and Writing II 3 hr(s).
PARA 2203 - Computer Applications for Legal Professionals 3 hr(s). *
PARA 2204 - Civil Litigation and Procedure 3 hr(s). *
PARA 2213 - Property and Probate 3 hr(s).
PARA 2241 - Title Examinations and Abstracting 3 hr(s).
PARA 2242 - Negotiating Essentials 3 hr(s).
PARA 2243 - Mineral Law 3 hr(s). (Landwork Specialization Only)
PARA 2994 - Ethics and Professional Responsibility 3 hr(s).
PARA 2995 - Paralegal Professional Practicum 3 hr(s). *
~POL 1101 - American Government 3 hr(s).

Paralegal Studies Model Schedule 60 SEM. HRS.

First Semester

PARA 1101 - Introduction to Paralegal Studies 3 hr(s).
PARA 1102 - Legal Terminology 3 hr(s).
~ENGL 1104 - Written English I 3-4 hr(s). (4 hr(s). Required)
OFAD 1150 - Computer Concepts and Applications 3 hr(s).
~POL 1101 - American Government 3 hr(s).

Total Semester Hours 15 (16)

Second Semester

PARA 1103 - Introduction to Legal Practice Areas 3 hr(s).
PARA 1104 - Interviewing and Investigating 3 hr(s).
PARA 2201 - Legal Research and Writing I 3 hr(s).
PARA 2204 - Civil Litigation and Procedure 3 hr(s).
PARA 2213 - Property and Probate 3 hr(s).

Total Semester Hours 15

Third Semester

PARA 2202 - Legal Research and Writing II 3 hr(s).
PARA 2203 - Computer Applications for Legal Professionals 3 hr(s).
PARA 2241 - Title Examinations and Abstracting 3 hr(s). (PR: PARA 2213 )
PARA 2242 - Negotiating Essentials 3 hr(s).
~MTH 1207 - Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics 3-4 hr(s). (S) (5 hr(s). Required)

Total Semester Hours 15 (17)

Fourth Semester

PARA 2994 - Ethics and Professional Responsibility 3 hr(s).
PARA 2995 - Paralegal Professional Practicum 3 hr(s).
CRJU 2240 - Adjudication Process 3 hr(s).
~ENGL 1108 - Written English II 3 hr(s).
-OR
~ENGL 1109 - Technical Report Writing 3 hr(s). (“C” or higher in ENGL 1108 or ENGL 1109 for graduation) *
COM 2200 - Introduction to Human Communications 3 hr(s).

Total Semester Hours 15

Notice to All Students

It is to the responsibility of the student to meet with the faculty advisor to schedule all courses for the completion of this degree. Failure to seek assistance from the advisor may delay graduation.
A “C” or better is required for graduation in PARA 1101 , PARA 1102 , PARA 1103 , PARA 2201 and PARA 2202 .
A cumulative 2.00 overall GPA is required for graduation in Paralegal Studies.
The semester before graduation, the student should schedule a Graduation Audit through the Registrar’s Office and must also apply for graduation. There is no graduation fee.
In the semester in which they graduate, Paralegal Studies students should enroll concurrently in PARA 2994 , PARA 2995 and PARA 2996 , which together comprise the Paralegal Studies capstone experience.
Students are reminded to review campus policies and procedures posted in the college catalog and student handbook.

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Paralegal Studies, A.A.S.

Program Purpose

Student Learning Outcomes

Opportunities

AAS Paralegal Studies/Land Management Required Courses 60 SEM. HRS.

Paralegal Studies Model Schedule 60 SEM. HRS.

First Semester

Total Semester Hours 15 (16)

Second Semester

Total Semester Hours 15

Third Semester

Total Semester Hours 15 (17)

Fourth Semester

Total Semester Hours 15

Notice to All Students