Paralegal Studies

4 Semesters

Coordinator/Senior Instructor: Keilholtz

An Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal Studies and a Bachelor of Applied Technology degree are available.

This program will provide students with the skills and knowledge to work under the supervision of an attorney in all areas of the law including administrative, bankruptcy, civil litigation, corporate, criminal, domestic, employment, environmental, estate planning, health care, and real estate law.  Graduates will investigate, interview, research, organize, analyze, and draft case documents and materials, and generally assist attorneys in all phases of client representation.

For a Program Information Packet, use this link, which leads to descriptions of each program in general, course descriptions, lists of course sequences, and the cost of books, tools, uniforms, fees, and other expenses.  The URL is  http://www.isu.edu/ctech/programs.shtml 

A grade of "C" or better in all courses of a chosen option is required for graduation. If a "C" or better is not achieved in a required class, the student may repeat the class only one time.
 

Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal Studies

(4 Semesters)

Required Courses:

CIS 101		Introduction to Computer Systems	3 cr
           OR
OT 170          Introduction to Computers		3 cr
PARA 110        Introduction to Paralegal Studies	3 cr
PARA 111        Ethics and Professionalism		3 cr
PARA 119        Legal Research and Analysis I		3 cr 
PARA 120        Legal Writing I				3 cr 
PARA 121        Law Office Management			3 cr
PARA 212        Pre-Trial Civil Litigation and 
                  Procedure 				3 cr 
PARA 213        Trial and Post-Trial Civil 
                  Litigation and Procedure		3 cr 
PARA 220        Paralegal Internship			4 cr 

Plus Fifteen Credits from the Following Courses:

PARA 112        Estates, Wills, and Trusts		3 cr 
PARA 113        Contract Law				3 cr 
PARA 114	Family Law				3 cr 
PARA 115	Property Law				3 cr 
PARA 116	Tort Law				3 cr 
PARA 117 	Criminal Law and Procedure           
3 cr 
PARA 118	Business Organizations               
3 cr 
PARA 210        Legal Research and Analysis II		3 cr 
PARA 211        Legal Writing II			3 cr 
PARA 214	Environmental Law			3 cr 
PARA 215	Debtor/Creditor Rights 
		  and Bankruptcy Law			3 cr  
PARA 216        Administrative Law			3 cr 
PARA 217        Constitutional Law			3 cr 
PARA 298        Independent Paralegal Studies	      1-8 cr

General Education Requirements:

ENGL 101        English Composition			3 cr
Goal 1							3 cr
Goal 2							3 cr
Goal 3							3 cr
Goals 4-10B						6 cr
Goals 11 and 12						3 cr
						TOTAL: 64 cr   

Courses

PARA 110 Introduction to Paralegal Studies 3 credits. The legal system and the paralegal's role in it; fundamental paralegal skills and tasks; law office administration; computer technology; regulation of paralegals and paralegal ethics; and employment opportunities. A survey of the major substantive areas of the law is presented, with a summary discussion of the paralegal's role in each area. F

PARA 111 Ethics and Professionalism 3 credits. Ethical standards and regulations governing paralegals and attorneys. Unauthorized practice of law, confidentiality of information, conflict of interest are covered in depth, along with common billing practices and fee arrangements, client trust accounts, filing and calendaring systems, and the documentation of client files. F

PARA 112 Estates, Wills and Trusts 3 credits. Learn what estates, wills, trusts and guardianships are and how to write the documents pertaining to them. Emphasis on Uniform Probate Code including formal and informal probate proceedings and the administration and closing of estates. Focus is on the role of the paralegal in gathering information, researching, and drafting estate planning. F

PARA 113 Contract Law 3 credits. Basic principles of contract law, including capacity, formation, conditions, enforcement, statute of frauds, performance and breach, remedies, defenses, and third-party rights. Portions of Articles 2 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code will also be addressed. Emphasizes the role of the paralegal in gathering information, researching, and drafting contract documents. S

PARA 114 Family Law 3 credits. This course instructs students in the law governing marriage, prenuptial agreements, marital property, divorce, child custody and support, paternity, termination of parental rights, adoption, and other matters relating to domestic legal rights. The role of the paralegal in the area of domestic law is emphasized. F

PARA 115 Property Law 3 credits.  The paralegal's role with regard to documents and concepts of ownership, conveyance, and encumbrance of real and personal property, including leases, licenses, liens, easements, remainders, and life estates. Includes public and private restrictions on land use, and proper drafting of deeds, leases, mortgages, foreclosure and eviction documents. S

PARA 116 Tort Law 3 credits. The paralegal's role regarding fundamental concepts of tort law, including intentional torts, negligence, strict liability, and product liability and the elements necessary to prove each tort. Defenses to and damages recoverable for a tort claim. Personal injury litigation and worker's compensation will be discussed in depth. F

PARA 117 Criminal Law and Procedure 3 credits. Statutory and common law crimes against person, property, and society; the elements required to prove a crime; and the defenses available to a defendant. Constitutional and statutory standards for law enforcement practices, plea negotiation, trial, sentencing, and appeal. Conducting preliminary factual investigation and other pre-trial work. F

PARA 118 Business Organizations 3 credits. This course explores the basic types, formation and operation of business organizations, including corporations, partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, and sole proprietorships. The role of the paralegal in drafting documents and maintaining records for business organizations will be emphasized. F, S

PARA 119 Legal Research and Analysis I 3 credits.  Introduction to basic elements of legal research and analysis and sources of the law. Development of rudimentary skills for identifying and analyzing legal issues and for formulating logical and practical legal arguments.  Emphasis on research methods for finding the law using a law library and computer technology. S

PARA 120 Legal Writing I 3 credits. Effective writing skills, proper sentence and paragraph structure, the correct use of grammar and punctuation, diction, and basic composition rules. Drafting and formatting of basic legal documents. Development of related preparatory skills in legal research and analysis. PREREQ: BI 170 or CIS 101. S

PARA 121 Law Office Management 3 credits. Introduction to the structure and dynamic of the law office. Examines the legal team, personnel relations, legal fees, timekeeping, billing and financial management, law office technology, legal application software, records systems, docket control, and file and records management. F

PARA 210 Legal Research and Analysis II 3 credits. Development of more advanced legal analysis and issue identification skills. In-depth legal research of primary and secondary authority using law library resources and computerized legal databases. Related legal writing skills are developed further. PREREQ: PARA 119. F. F

PARA 211 Legal Writing II 3 credits. Advanced legal document preparation including memoranda, litigation and transaction documents, and other types of legal writing. Related skills of legal analysis and research are developed further. PREREQ: PARA 120. F

PARA 212 Pre-Trial Civil Litigation and Procedure 3 credits. Based on a fictional civil lawsuit, students perform tasks of a paralegal at every stage of pre-trial litigation, including initial client contact, investigation and identification of claims and issues, legal research, preparation and filing of all appropriate documents. F

PARA 213 Trial and Post-Trial Civil Litigation and Procedure 3 credits. Continue with the fictional civil lawsuit beginning at a point sixty days before the trial date. Learn the paralegal's role in preparing witnesses, making trial notebooks, giving jury instructions, assisting at trial, making post-judgment motions, and handling appeals and collection. PREREQ: PARA 212. S

PARA 214 Environmental Law 3 credits. The paralegal's role with regard to federal and state laws governing the preservation, regulation and use of public and private lands for the protection of the environment and natural resources. Students are introduced to key environmental legislation, including NEPA, RECRA, CERCLA, FIFRA, TOSCA, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water act, and the Endangered Species Act. F, S

PARA 215 Debtor and Creditor Rights and Bankruptcy Law 3 credits. The paralegal's role relating to business transactions, debtor/creditor relations, consumer protection, and bankruptcy. Students explore secured and unsecured transactions, rights and remedies available under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code and other statutes, and the types of relief afforded under the Bankruptcy Code. S

PARA 216 Administrative Law 3 credits. The paralegal's role with regard to administrative law, including legislative delegation and limitations on agency authority, due process of law, agency action, rule making, acquiring and disclosing information, agency decision makers and decisions, administrative hearings, and judicial review. S

PARA 217 Constitutional Law 3 credits. Fundamental precepts of constitutional law — federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances — are examined, as well as individual rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. The function of the federal courts as interpreters of the Constitution is analyzed. Emphasis is given to the role of the paralegal in constitutional law cases. F, S

PARA 220 Paralegal Internship 4 credits. Students acquire practical experience in doing the job of a paralegal in the workplace. The course is arranged on an individual basis. S

PARA 298 Independent Paralegal Studies 1-8 credits. This course is designed to address the specific needs of individual students employed full-time who wish to upgrade their technical skills through part-time enrollment in units of instruction that are currently available through the program's curriculum. PREREQ: Permission of instructor. D
 

IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY Academic Information  Contact: webmaster@isu.edu Revised: July 2007