PLS - Paralegal Studies

This course presents the role of paralegals in the legal system, paralegal skills, legal working environments, ethical considerations, and career opportunities. Students are introduced to the sources of law, an overview of courts, and alternative dispute resolution systems.

This course is designed to provide students with a solid working knowledge of the tools in law libraries, including both state and federal primary and secondary materials. Students will research, analyze, and solve problems in the legal world and communicate the results in a competent and ethical manner.

This course explores the process and procedures associated with a civil case. It includes the initial client interview and fact gathering, preparation of pleadings, trial preparation, post-trial procedure, ethical considerations for handling a civil law case, and the application of technology in the preparation and trial of a law suit.

This course provides students with a general overview and understanding of the elements of a contractual relationship, applicable laws related to contract negotiations and terms, and the remedies available if the agreement is breached.

This course provides the student with the basic principles and history of American criminal law, the elements of specific crimes, the procedures of the criminal justice process, and the constitutional rights of the accused.

This course addresses fundamental topics including marriage, divorce, annulment, property division, parenthood, adoption, custody, support, and family violence along with emerging areas within family law.

This course presents the definitions of tort laws and describes how tort laws are applied to various situations and fact patterns. This course also explores the process of filing tort cases in court in terms of parties, pleadings, timing, and the appeals process.

This course covers how to legally and ethically develop and administer an estate plan. Students will be introduced to specialized legal vocabulary and relevant substantive and procedural law.

This capstone course provides students with the opportunity to integrate the theoretical knowledge and practical skills they have acquired through the program and apply them to a legal setting.