Online Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies

This introductory course is designed to introduce students to the practical aspects of working within the paralegal field and will include examination of the American legal system, paralegal skills and competencies such as legal analysis, interviewing, investigating, legal research and writing and, regulatory and ethical issues facing paralegals, and career options for the paralegal.

This course explains the what, how, and why of legal research. Students will learn Boolean searching and formation of queries in order to facilitate the location of primary legal authority and secondary sources. The skills learned in this course will allow students to research paid legal databases and the Internet for substantive and procedural law and to think critically while moving through the steps to locate statutes and case law in order to assist the attorney in representing a client and their legal issue.

This course introduces the process of civil practice (procedural rules) and the law that governs it (substantive law) and to the skills of investigating and fact gathering which includes interviewing of clients and witnesses. Students will gain practice in drafting the documents necessary for civil matter to proceed through the legal system from filing through trial and post-trial.

This course includes an overview of the ethical organization and management of the modern law office. Topics include: client billing, responsibilities concerning client funds, case management systems, law office technology and the Code of Professional Responsibility and Ethical Guidelines for both lawyers and non-lawyers. Rules, statues and case law governing unauthorized practice of law will be covered. Students will analyze, evaluate, articulate and defend positions on ethical questions.

This course examines the rules governing the admission, exclusion, and presentation of evidence in judicial proceedings. Topics covered in this course include relevancy, authentication, the “Best Evidence” rule: categorical rules of exclusion; character and habit evidence; competency of witnesses; examination and impeachment of witnesses; opinion and expert testimony; presentation of evidence, privilege; the hearsay rule and its exceptions, presumptions and burdens of proof and the scope of judicial notice. Additionally, the course covers strategies for fact-finding, investigation and interviewing techniques for gathering information. Also includes investigative techniques for determining what information is needed and finding, organizing, verifying and documenting the information. Prerequisite: PLS110 and PRL304

A study of the law of marriage, annulment, dissolution, guardianship, adoption, custody, legitimacy of children, and issues within the juvenile courts, with emphasis on development of skills pertinent to the paralegal function. Prerequisites: PLS110 and PRL304

This course will provide a basic understanding of the substantive and procedural criminal law including due process, probable cause, statutory and case law authorities governing criminal law and the rules of criminal procedure. Students will also review the structure of the criminal courts system. This course provides application of the substantive law and procedural safeguards to a case study in representing either the state or a defendant in a criminal law proceeding. Prerequisites:PLS110 and PRL304

This course presents basic concepts of administrative law and procedure in federal and state agencies. Students will learn advocacy techniques for representing a client in an administrative process. Substantive topics will include administrative delegation of power, rulemaking, agency discretionary powers, remedies, and judicial appeals. Federal law will focus on procedure in Federal courts and applicable state rules. Prerequisites: PLS110 and PRL 304

This course presents basic concepts of estate planning, elder law issues, and probate law. Students will learn how to assist clients in planning, procedure and conflict resolution related to testamentary and other advanced planning documents; the probate process, and special issues related to aging including minors and adults with physical and/or mental disabilities. This course will include both substantive and procedural law as applied through a hands-on problem-solving format.

Will provide a basic understanding of the substantive law of contracts. The course focus is on both common law and the uniform commercial code in regard to the basic elements of contract formation and will involve practical research assignments to explore the practical application of the principles of contracts. Prerequisites: PRL302 and PRL304

This course will introduce students to the principle concepts of government that underlay the structure of the United States Constitution. These concepts include federalism and judicial review. In addition, the course will examine the Court’s methods of Constitutional interpretation. Through case study of major Supreme Court decisions, students will explore the meaning of the civil liberties contained in the first ten amendments to the constitution, also known as the Bill of Rights, including due process, equal protection, the rights of criminal defendants and the freedoms of speech, religion and privacy. Prerequisites: PLS110

Tort law is the area of law that provides a remedy for harms to private individuals. Tor law includes intentional torts and unintentional torts. This course will introduce students to the theory that forms the basis for society's interest in assigning blame and the economic distribution of liability.

The capstone/practicum course is the final course in the paralegal studies program. This course will provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate proficiency as a paralegal in two ways. First, through the practicum, students will demonstrate the ability to apply coursework in an actual law office setting, similar to participating in a virtual internship. Second, students will demonstrate their proficiency in legal reasoning through the capstone research and writing assignment.