Paralegal Studies AAS: 341

(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.