Paralegal Studies

4 Semesters

Coordinator/Senior Instructor: Keilholtz

Faculty Information    
Degrees Available   
Introduction   
Courses   

 
    

An Associate of Applied Science degree 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.  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 

This program requires students to achieve certain grades in order to advance each semester. Specific information is available in the program's student handbook. 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)

See A.A.S. Degree General Education Requirements linked here (minimum 15 credits)

Required Courses:

CIS 1101	Introduction to Computer Systems	3 cr
           OR
BT 0170		Introduction to Computers		3 cr
PARA 0110	Introduction to Paralegal Studies	3 cr
PARA 0111	Ethics and Professionalism		3 cr
PARA 0113	Contract Law				3 cr 
PARA 0115	Property Law				3 cr 
PARA 0116	Tort Law				3 cr 
PARA 0117	Criminal Law and Procedure		3 cr 
PARA 0121	Law Office Management			3 cr
PARA 0122	Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing I 3 cr
PARA 0212	Pre-Trial Civil Litigation 
		  and Procedure				3 cr 
PARA 0222	Legal Research, Analysis, 
		  and Writing II 			3 cr
PARA 0230	Paralegal Internship			4 cr
COMM 1101	Principles of Speech			3 cr
(contributes to AAS English/Communication Requirement and satisfies a General Education Requirement)
ENGL 1101	English Composition			3 cr
(contributes to AAS English/Communication Requirement)
ENGL 1102	Critical Reading and Writing		3 cr
(satisfies a General Education Requirement)
PSYC 1101	Introduction to General Psychology	3 cr
(satisfies a General Education Requirement)

Plus Fifteen Credits from the Following Courses:

PARA 0112	Estates, Wills, and Trusts		3 cr 
PARA 0114	Family Law				3 cr 
PARA 0118	Business Organizations			3 cr 
PARA 0213	Trial and Post-Trial Civil 
		  Litigation and Procedure		3 cr 
PARA 0215	Debtor/Creditor Rights 
		  and Bankruptcy Law			3 cr  
PARA 0223	Legal Research, Analysis, 
		  and Writing III 			3 cr
PARA 0298	Independent Paralegal Studies 		1-8 cr

						TOTAL: 64 cr   

Courses

PARA 0110 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 0111 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 0112 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 0113 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 0114 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 0115 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 0116 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 0117 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 0118 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 0121 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 0122 Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing I 3 credits. Basic elements of legal research and sources of the law using print and electronic research methods. Develop rudimentary skills for analyzing legal issues and developing legal arguments. Introduce basics of legal document preparation such as case briefing, letter writing, and research memoranda drafting. PREREQ: (BT 0170 or CIS 1101); ENGL 1101 and PARA 0110. S

PARA 0212 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 0213 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 0212. S

PARA 0215 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 0222 Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing II 3 credits. Continued development of issue identification and legal analysis skills. In-depth legal research using primary and secondary sources of law and print and electronic research media. Advanced legal document preparation including court briefs and memoranda, litigation, and transactional documents. PREREQ: (BT 0170 or CIS 1101); ENGL 1101, PARA 0110, and PARA 0122. S

PARA 0223 Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing III 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, including preparation of complex legal documents. PREREQ: ENGL 1101, PARA 0110, PARA 0122, and PARA 0222. F

PARA 0230 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 0296 Independent Study 1-8 credits. Addresses specific learning needs of individuals for the enhancement of knowledge and skills within the program area under the guidance of an instructor.  May be repeated.  Graded S/U, or may be letter-graded.  PREREQ: Permission of the instructor.  D

PARA 0298 Special Topics 1-8 credits. Addresses the specific needs of industry, enabling students to upgrade technical skills that are not included in the current program curriculum.  May be repeated.  Graded S/U, or may be letter-graded.  PREREQ: Permission of instructor. D

 

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IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY Academic Information  Contact: webmaster@isu.edu Revised: March 2011