Montgomery College 2016-2017 Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
Montgomery College 2016-2017 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Paralegal Studies AAS


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(G, TP/SS): 341

This curriculum provides the student with a general knowledge of the American legal system and concentrated knowledge on the various aspects of law.  The student will be given basic skills in legal research, legal writing, interviewing, and law office administration and knowledge of legal ethics. The student will learn to prepare and interpret legal documents and analyze procedures and processes. Students will have the option to focus on various areas of the law including business law, civil law, criminal law, and domestic relations and family law.  This curriculum will expose students to the new and growing fields within the legal system to include Cyber Law, Health Law, Intellectual Property, and Alternative Dispute Resolution.  Students will have the opportunity to participate in an internship gaining real world experience.

This curriculum is designed for those interested in careers as a paraprofessional.  Such careers include: working in a law office, court personnel, corrections employee, loan processor, etc.  This curriculum is also designed for legal assistants presently employed in private law  offices and corporate and government legal divisions who wish to improve their skills for career advancement.  A paralegal is a trained specialist who can manage a law office operation under the supervision of an attorney, relieving a practicing attorney of those routine components of managing legal cases that require knowledge of the legal process and assisting the attorney with handling of complicated legal issues.  The paralegal also assists the attorney in legal research and in preparing and interpreting legal documents.  The paralegal will analyze procedural problems through the selection, compilation, and use of technical information from various legal references.  Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.  Completion of all requirements for this curriculum will lead to the award of the A.A.S. in paralegal studies.

General Education Course Selections


Click here to view the Foundation/Distribution Courses  for selection to fulfill the General Education Course Requirements.

Suggested Course Sequence


A suggested course sequence for full time students follows. All students should consult an advisor.

First Semester


Third Semester


Fourth Semester


  • Health foundation 1 semester hour (HLTF) 
  • Natural sciences distribution with lab 4 semester hours (NSLD)
  • LGST electives 10 semester hours

Total Credit Hours: 60


ENGL 101  /ENGL 101A  , if need for ENGL 102  /ENGL 103 , or any LGST course.

 

Program Outline / Degree Requirements


General Education Requirements


Foundation Courses


  • English foundation 3 semester hours (ENGF)
  • Health foundation  1 semester hour (HLTF)
  • Mathematics foundation  3 semester hours (MATF)
  • Speech foundation 3 semester hours (SPCF)

Distribution Courses


  • 3 semester hours (BSSD)
  • Arts or humanities distribution 3 semester hours (ARTD or HUMD)
  • Natural science distribution with lab 4 semester hours (NSLD)

Program Requirements


Total Credit Hours: 60


ENGL 101 /ENGL 101A , if need for ENGL 102 /ENGL 103 , or any LGST course.

Program Outcomes


Upon completion of this program a student will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical obligations of paralegals and attorneys.

  • Demonstrate an understanding of various areas of law within the U.S. legal system.

  • Perform legal research: print and electronic formats.

  • Prepare and interpret legal documents.

  • Demonstrate proper methods of citation for legal documents.

  • Demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate in a professional setting.

  • Demonstrate their knowledge of facts, evidence, and rules of law.

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