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2016 - 2017 Catalog
Program: Paralegal
Degree Plan: Paralegal AAS

 

(Associate of Applied Science Degree)

El Centro only

(Block Scheduling available on El Centro Campus)

  • Students pursuing this award program are required to meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards and course prerequisites.
  • Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by the college awarding the degree.

Degree Plan Code: AAS.PARALEGAL.10

The Paralegal Studies Program is an Associate of Applied Science Degree program designed to prepare the student to function as a technically qualified assistant to the lawyer.

Upon completion of the program, graduates should be able to accomplish these program goals:

  1. Demonstrate the ability to comprehend, apply, and evaluate information in various substantive areas of law.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to draft legal documents with minimum supervision.
  3. Demonstrate written and oral communication skills, teamwork, critical thinking, computer proficiency, and legal research relevant to their work as a paralegal.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to integrate legal theory and related practical applications.
  5. Demonstrate the ability to manage practical ethical dilemmas commonly encountered by working paralegals including how to avoid the unauthorized practice of law by non-lawyers.
Paralegals (also called legal assistants) typically work in law firms, governmental agencies, corporations, and other business entities. The program does not qualify a graduate to take a State Bar exam, represent clients in court, give legal advice, or provide independent legal services.

CREDIT HOURS

FIRST YEAR

SEMESTER I

LGLA 1301 Legal Research and Writing 3
LGLA 1311 Introduction to Law 3
LGLA 1313 Introduction to Paralegal Studies 3
ENGL 1301 Composition I 3
MATH 1314 College Algebra OR 3
MATH 1324 Math for Business and Social Sciences OR (3)
MATH 2342 Elementary Statistical Methods (3)
15

SEMESTER II

LGLA 1355 Family Law 3
LGLA 2309 Real Property 3
LGLA 2311 Business Organizations 3
SPCH 1311 Introduction to Speech Communication OR 3
SPCH 1315 Public Speaking (3)
12

SECOND YEAR

SEMESTER III

LGLA 1345 Civil Litigation 3
LGLA 1351 Contracts 3
LGLA 1353 Wills, Trusts and Probate Administration 3
GOVT 2305 Federal Government OR 3
GOVT 2306 Texas Government (3)
+Elective Paralegal Elective 3
++Elective Humanities/Fine Arts 3
18

SEMESTER IV

LGLA 2303 Torts and Personal Injury Law 3
LGLA 2307 Law Office Management 3
LGLA 2331 Advanced Legal Research and Writing 3
+Elective Paralegal Elective 3
+++Elective Social/Behavioral Science 3
15
Minimum Hours Required 60

+Paralegal Electives - SIX credit hours must be selected from the following:

LGLA 1343 Bankruptcy 3
LGLA 1359 Immigration Law 3
LGLA 1380 Cooperative Education-Legal Assistant/Paralegal 1 3
LGLA 2313 Criminal Law and Procedure 3
LGLA 2315 Oil and Gas Law 3
LGLA 2335 Advanced Civil Litigation 3
LGLA 2380 Cooperative Education-Legal Assistant/Paralegal 1 3
LGLA 2388 Internship-Legal Assistant/Paralegal 2 3

++Humanities/Fine Arts Elective - must be selected from the AAS Core Options for Humanities/Fine Arts.

+++Social/Behavioral Science Electives - must be selected from the AAS Core Options for Social/Behavioral Science.

1 Students are required to have a paid legal position prior to the beginning of the semester. The course offers college credit for legal work experience and lectures to aid in career development or advancement.

2 Students are required to complete the prerequisite substantive law course for the specific internship.

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program who plan to transfer to a four-year institution should consult an advisor or counselor regarding transfer requirements and the transferability of these courses to the four-year institution of their choice.