Montgomery College 2019-2020 Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
Montgomery College 2019-2020 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Paralegal Studies AAS: 341


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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 paralegal professional. 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. Completion of all requirements for this curriculum will lead to the award of the A.A.S. in paralegal studies.

IMPORTANT NOTE: PARALEGALS MAY NOT PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES DIRECTLY TO THE PUBLIC EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY LAW.

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 review the Program Advising Guide and consult an advisor.

First Semester


Second Semester


Third Semester


Fourth Semester


  • Natural sciences distribution with lab 4 semester hours (NSLD)
  • LGST electives 11 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)
  • Mathematics foundation  3 semester hours (MATF)

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)

General Education Elective


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:

  • Describe the ethical responsibilities of members of the legal profession.
  • Explain the basic concepts and procedures of various areas of law within the U.S. legal system including the operation of the U.S. legal system.
  • Perform effective legal research utilizing traditional and digital research methodologies.
  • Communicate with attorneys and clients utilizing effective writing and oral communication skills.
  • Draft and interpret various legal documents.
  • Utilize technologies currently associated with the modern practice of law.
  • Describe the functions related to the operation and management of a modern law office.
  • Apply critical thinking skills to identify, analyze, and interpret legal and factual issues.

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