Associate in Public Service - Major in Paralegal (LEPA)
69 Semester Hours
The Paralegal Associate Degree prepares students to work in the legal environment as assistants to attorneys. Paralegals perform many essential tasks under the supervision of an attorney, such as legal research, factual investigation, preparation of legal documents, and organization of files. Paralegals may not give legal advice or represent clients in court proceedings. Graduates of this program are qualified for positions with law firms, as well as government and private entities requiring staff with legal knowledge or skills.
Students seeking admission into this program must have a high school diploma or have passed a high school equivalency exam. Once admitted, students must earn a grade of "C" or higher in each required major course and other required courses.
The Paralegal Program is approved by the American Bar Association as having met all curriculum requirements necessary for training qualified paralegals.
General Education Core Courses - Minimum of 18 Credit Hours
- ENG 101 English Composition I (3)
- ENG 102 English Composition II (3)
-
MAT 110 College Algebra (3)
or - MAT 155 Contemporary Mathematics (3)
- SPC 205 Public Speaking (3)
- Humanities/Fine Arts Course (3)
- Social/Behavioral Science Course (3)
To complete this program, courses should be taken in the following sequence:
| Class | *Lab | Credit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester - First Year | |||
| CPT 101 Introduction to Computers | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| CRJ 115 Criminal Law I | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ENG 101 English Composition I | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| LEG 135 Introduction to Law and Ethics | 3 | 0 | 3 |
|
MAT 110 College Algebra or MAT 155 Contemporary Mathematics |
3 | 0 | 3 |
|
|
|||
| Total Semester Credits | 15 | 0 | 15 |
|
Spring Semester - First Year |
|||
|
ACC 101 Accounting Principles I or OST 137 Office Accounting |
3 | 0 | 3 |
| ENG 102 English Composition II | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| LEG 120 Torts | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| LEG 132 Legal Bibliography** | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ___ ___ Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 | 0 | 3 |
|
|
|||
| Total Semester Credits | 15 | 0 | 15 |
|
Summer Semester - First Year |
|||
| LEG 212 Workers’ Compensation | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| LEG 230 Legal Writing** | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| OST 133 Professional Development | 3 | 0 | 3 |
|
|
|||
| Total Semester Credits | 9 | 0 | 9 |
|
Fall Semester - Second Year |
|||
| LEG 201 Civil Litigation I** | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| LEG 214 Property Law** | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| LEG 233 Wills, Trusts and Probate** | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| SPC 205 Public Speaking | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ___ ___ Social/ Behavioral Science | 3 | 0 | 3 |
|
|
|||
| Total Semester Credits | 15 | 0 | 15 |
|
Spring Semester - Second Year |
|||
| BUS 121 Business Law I | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| CRJ 120 Constitutional Law | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| LEG 213 Family Law | 3 | 0 | 3 |
|
LEG 232 Law Office Management** or LEG 250 Internship for Legal Assistant/Paralegal** |
3 | 9 | 3 |
| ___ ___ Elective | 3 | 0 | 3 |
|
|
|||
| Total Semester Credits | 15/12 | 0/9 | 15 |
* 3 Lab hours equals 1 credit hour
** Core Legal Specialty Courses