Paralegal Technology
Associate of Applied Science
[ Janelle Lowrey ]
This program is planned to prepare a person for employment as a legal assistant, a position found in legal firms and law-related occupations such as banking and finance, real estate, and government agencies. The curriculum offers fundamental skills of legal research, laws, procedures, and documents involved in family law, criminal law, tort law, wills, and the law of real property.
CIP Code: 220302
Program Code: 6760
Freshman Year
First Semester — 15 hrs
Course
Title
Hours
Description
LET-1123
Introduction to Law
3
This course provides an overview of major principles and functions of the state and federal legal systems, introduces various legal fields for professional opportunities, presents legal vocabulary, gives an overview of different areas of law, and presents ethics. Three hours lecture.
LET-1513
Family Law
3
This course is a study of the areas of law pertaining to domestic relations, emphasizing ethics. Three hours lecture.
LET-2453
Real Property I
3
This course is an introduction to real property law including ownership, transfer of property, liens and encumbrances, and the various types of deeds. Three hours lecture.
BOT-1763
Communications Essentials
3
This course focuses on the basic English competencies and communication skills necessary to be successful and effective in the workplace in addition to effectively contributing to a team while working with a diverse population. Three hours lecture.
CSC-1123
Computer Applications I
3
This course is designed to teach computer applications to include: word processing, electronic spreadsheet, database management, presentation design, and electronic communications. Three hours lecture.
Second Semester — 15 hrs
Course
Title
Hours
Description
LET-1523
Wills & Estates
3
This course is an introduction to the laws of inheritance and estates, basic concepts of estates and wills, probate procedures, and preparation of documents while emphasizing ethics. Three hours lecture.
LET-1213
Legal Research
3
This course is an introduction to basic sources of law and the methods of legal research, including ethics. Two hours lecture and two hours laboratory.
LET-2313
Civil Litigation I
3
This course presents the litigation process. Emphasis is on the structure of the Mississippi Court System and on gathering information and evidence, summarizing and arranging materials, maintaining docket and file control, developing a litigation case, and interviewing clients and witnesses, using ethical standards. Three hours lecture.
LET-2323
Torts
3
This course provides instruction in the area of law which deals with civil wrongs and injuries as distinguished from breach of contract. It concentrates on the elements of a tort, type of tort, damages, ethics, and remedies. Three hours lecture.
BOT-1313
Applied Business Mathematics
3
This course is designed to develop competency in mathematics for business use, with emphasis on the touch method. Three hours lecture.
Sophomore Year
First Semester — 18 hrs
Course
Title
Hours
Description
LET-2333
Civil Litigation II
3
This course is designed to continue the study of the litigation process from discovery through appeal. Emphasis is placed on collecting and organizing discovery materials and demonstrating knowledge of the limits placed on discovery by the federal and states rules of civil procedure. The course also includes the trial and appeal phases of litigation, with emphasis on trial preparation and appellate procedure. Three hours lecture.
LET-1713
Legal Writing
3
This course includes composition of legal communications, briefs, memoranda, and other legal documents with an emphasis on ethical considerations. Two hours lecture and two hours laboratory.
BOT-1233
Microsoft Word I
3
This course focuses on improving keyboarding techniques using the touch method and on production of documents using Microsoft Word functions. Three hours lecture.
ENG-1113
English Composition I
3
English 1113 prepares the student to think critically and compose texts for academic and professional rhetorical situations. Three hours lecture.
BAD-2413
Legal Environment of Business
3
An introduction to interrelationships of law and society, jurisprudence, and business. The topics to be covered include an introduction to law; law of contracts; and agencies and employment. Three hours lecture.
CRJ-ELECT
Criminal Justice Elective
3
Possible course include: CRJ 1323, CRJ 1363, CRJ 1373, CRJ 2323, CRJ 2333, CRJ 2413, CRJ 2513
Second Semester — 15 hrs
Course
Title
Hours
Description
LET-2463
Real Property II
3
(Prerequisite: LET 2453) This course examines legal documents related to real property as recorded in the chancery clerk’s office, the tax assessor’s office, and the circuit clerk’s office. It includes compiling a title abstract and completing an assignment to prepare a real estate file from transaction through closing and post-closing implementing ethics. Three hours lecture.
LET-2923*
Internship for Paralegal
3
Practical experience in law office, bank, government office, or court house. Minimum of 135 clock hours. Nine hours externship.
MAT-1313**
College Algebra
3
(Prerequisite: ACT math subscore of 19 or above or MAT 1233 with a "C" or above.) This course includes the following topics with applications: inequalities; functions; linear and quadratic equations, and their graphs; rational, radical, and higher order equations; polynomial and rational functions; logarithmic and exponential functions; systems of equations. Three hours lecture.
FINE-ELECT
Fine Arts Elective
3
Choose from any fine arts classes.
SBA-ELECT
Social/Behavioral Science Elective
3
Choose any Social or Behavioral Science course in sociology, psychology, political science, geography, economics, or educational psychology.
* LET/BOT Electives can be: LET 2523, LET2633, BOT 1613, or BOT 1243
**MAT 1313 or SCI-ELECT (4 hours)