OTH 1114C - Occupational Therapy Skills and Techniques I
(4 Credit Hours) (A.S.)
Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of BSC 2086C, DEP 2004, OTH 1001C and OTH 1014C.
Corequisites: OTH 1520C. This course is designed to prepare the student to articulate and apply the therapeutic use of occupations with individuals or groups during the growth years (ages 0 - 21 years) to address the physical, cognitive, psychosocial, sensory and other aspects of performance in a variety of contexts and environments to support engagement in everyday life activities that affect health, well-being and quality of life. Lecture and laboratory activities utilize problem solving and critical thinking, communication skills and group/individual settings to focus on: activity analysis, facilitation/inhibition techniques; activities of daily living; gross and fine motor activities; behavioral control techniques; orthotics; adaptive/assistive equipment; and competency in selecting, implementing and instructing interventions/activities with children of varying functional level throughout the growth years. Laboratory practice provides the opportunity apply theoretical concepts to practice situations. Additional special fees are required.
This course is an introduction to basic pathophysiology including etiology, signs and symptoms and rehabilitative treatment principles of various medical, surgical, orthopedic and neurological conditions common to individuals across the lifespan. Emphasis will be placed on proper use of medical terminology associated with these conditions.
Corequisites: OTH 1114C. This course is designed to enable the student to investigate prevalent disabilities occurring during the growth years (approximately birth through 20) and to begin, plan and implement appropriate occupational therapy treatment for each type of disability. In addition, the student will study occupational therapy concepts and techniques to be able to effectively implement occupational therapy treatment techniques in a variety of pediatric settings. Additional special fees are required.
OTH 2261C - Occupational Therapy Skills and Techniques II
(4 Credit Hours) (A.S.)
Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of OTH 1114C, OTH 1520C and OTH 1410, ENC 1102, or SPC 1608, and the Humanities elective.
Corequisites: OTH 2420C, OTH 2300C and OTH 2802L. This course was designed to provide an understanding of how occupational therapy contributes to promoting the health and participation of people, organizations and populations through engagement in occupation. Opportunities will be provided to apply the therapeutic use of occupations and client-centered approach utilized in the process of the delivery of occupational therapy services for physical and psychosocial dysfunction. Lecture and laboratory activities provide the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts to practice situations, promote problem solving and critical thinking skills, develop skills in activity analysis and foster communication skills with clients and professional staff. Additional special fees are required.
Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of OTH 1114C, OTH 1520C, OTH 1410, ENC 1102 and the Humanities elective.
Corequisites: OTH 2261L, OTH 2420C and OTH 2802L. This course is designed to enable the student to become knowledgeable of the basic concepts of mental health and mental illness and the related role of occupational therapy process in psychosocial practice. Focus is on evaluations, treatment planning, occupational therapy practice models, the role of the COTA in various mental health settings and the therapeutic use of self. The student is introduced to appropriate methods of responding to symptoms and behaviors, safety techniques, DSM V and documentation. Laboratory activities promote the use of case-based learning to focus on skills needed in the mental health setting, treatment planning and implementation, therapeutic use of occupational with individuals and groups for the purpose of participation in roles and situations in home, school, workplace, community and other settings, as well as the importance of evidence-based practice in the mental health setting. Additional special fees are required.
OTH 2420C - Occupational Therapy for the Physically Disabled
(3 Credit Hours) (A.S.)
Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of OTH 1114C, OTH 1520C, OTH 1410, ENC 1102, and the Humanities elective.
Corequisites: OTH 2261C, OTH 2300C and OTH 2802L. This course is designed to enable the student to understand common physical disabilities in the adult population. It provides the student with an understanding of occupational therapy practice models, the role of the COTA, evaluations, treatment planning, intervention strategies and documentation used in physical disabilities with the adult population. The student is able to apply occupational therapy interventions to address the physical, cognitive, psychosocial, sensory, and other aspects of performance in a variety of contexts and environments to support engagement in everyday life activities that affect health, well-being and quality of life. Additional special fees are required.
Corequisites: OTH 2420C, OTH 2300C and OTH 2261C. This course provides opportunities for students to observe and participate in occupational therapy treatment with adult clients in a physical disabilities and mental health fieldwork environment within the community. The student will work under the supervision of an occupational therapist, occupational therapy assistant and/or other fieldwork supervisors. A variety of fieldwork settings are used to expose the students to individuals and groups with physical and psychosocial dysfunction. This course also includes a fieldwork seminar hour which is designed to facilitate the development of clinical skills by developing clinical reasoning/problem solving skills, develop an understanding of health literacy and the ability to educate and train the client, enhance the understanding of quality of life, well-being and occupation to promote physical and mental health, considering the context and environment and to enhance the need for and understanding of inter-professional collaboration within the health care environment. Additional special fees are required.
Forty days per term/our and a half days per week for eight weeks. Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of OTH 2261C, OTH 2420C, OTH 2300C and OTH 2802L.
Corequisites: OTH 2933C. Supervised Clinical Practice I is a full-time supervised fieldwork experience designed to bridge the student from classroom to fieldwork in preparation for entry-level practice as an occupational therapy assistant. The student participates in an in-depth experience in delivering occupational therapy services to clients, focusing on the application of purposeful and meaningful occupation. The fieldwork experience is scheduled to be in one practice area of occupational therapy (physical disabilities, psychosocial dysfunction or pediatrics) and is designed to promote problem-solving abilities and clinical reasoning appropriate to the occupational therapy assistant role, to transmit the values and beliefs that enable ethical practice, and to develop professionalism and competence in career responsibilities. Additional special fees are required.
Forty days per term. Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of OTH 2840L.
Corequisites: OTH 2933C. This course is a full-time supervised fieldwork experience designed to bridge the student from classroom to clinic in preparation for entry level practice as an occupational therapy assistant. The student participates in an in-depth experience in delivering occupational therapy services to clients, focusing on the application of purposeful and meaningful occupation. The fieldwork experience is scheduled to be in one practice area of occupational therapy (physical disabilities, psychosocial dysfunction or pediatrics) in a setting that is different from the site assigned for Clinical Practice I and is designed to promote problem-solving abilities and clinical reasoning appropriate to the occupational therapy assistant role, to transmit the values and beliefs that enable ethical practice, and to develop professionalism and competence in career responsibilities.
Corequisites: OTH 2840L and OTH 2841L. This course presents issues related to the transition from student to practitioner including: basic principles of organization, administration and supervision, the role of the OTA in relation to other health care professionals, ethics, medical errors, job search skills, licensing requirements and preparation for the national Certification Exam. A fieldwork seminar hour is incorporated into the class which is designed to enhance the development of clinical skills, critical thinking and problem solving abilities through an open discussion of experiences in the fieldwork setting.
This course examines planning and evaluation in a changing workplace and workforce from a systematic perspective. The student will learn how to improve individual, team, and organizational effectiveness by understanding how to develop a strategic plan and design successful evaluation tools. This course also instructs students on how to evaluate programs and interventions and develop learning experiences that can impart knowledge, skills, and attitudes to learners in the workplace.
This course is an examination of strategic planning in public and nonprofit organizations. The course also includes instruction in the roles, development and principles of public administration. The student will learn how strategic planning can guide and strengthen the effectiveness of an organization’s performance. The ten step strategy change cycle is introduced as an effective planning approach to accomplish strategic and operational planning in organizations.
PAD 3820 - Foundations of Public Safety Administration
(3 Credit Hours) (B.A.S.)
This course must be taken in the students’ first semester in the Public Safety Administration B.A.S. Program. This course is an overview of the primary aspects of public safety administration. Major administrative, managerial and leadership components of public safety organizations are examined. Also addressed are administrative concerns for special issues and challenges, such as coordinated public safety approaches, post-9/11 administrative worldviews, ethical foundations, critical thinking and analysis, and innovative solutions for pragmatic public safety problems. The course also provides the student with a framework for individual progress. This includes an initial supervisor/leadership/management skills assessment; the beginning development of an individualized development plan toward educational and career goals, with a personal portfolio; and preliminary planning to link continuous learning with the capstone course at the end of the program.
PAD 3821 - Contemporary Issues in Public Safety/Homeland Security
(3 Credit Hours) (B.A.S.)
This course focuses on current issues and trends in the field of public safety administration and homeland security. The course is structured to introduce management and administrative topics in public safety, examine the implications to the field, and formulate recommendations. This course begins developing skills in project design and presentation, and the enhancement of critical thinking skills.
PAD 3874 - Community Relations Theory and Practice
(3 Credit Hours) (B.A.S.)
This course exposes the student to community relations theory and practice within a broad range of public safety organizations. Students understand why positive community perception of public safety is critical to funding and operational effectiveness. Students gain the insight and skills necessary to be effective in the community relations function of public safety administration.
This course studies the role of ethics and ethical decision making in the workplace with an emphasis on the responsibilities of managers and leaders in emergency management. The student learns the personal and public consequences of unethical decision making and abuses of power. The course also covers the basics principles of mediation and conflict resolution in the workplace.
This course is designed to provide an introduction to fiscal management in the public sector. It will prepare individuals to serve in the executive arm of local, state and federal government. It includes a study of the roles, development and principles of public administration, as well as the ethical issues, research and decision-making framework required of a financial manager who is charged with maximizing shareholders wealth.
This course examines the challenges faced by human resource managers in the public sector. Topics include recruiting, hiring, legal and compliance issues, training and development, performance, compensation and benefits as they relate to the public sector.
This course covers the law from the perspective of the administrator including constitutions, statutes, executive orders and procedures that control administrative authorities in United States government.
This course affords the student an opportunity to observe and use analytical knowledge and research skills to define and confront a problem encountered by today’s public safety administrators and homeland security supervisory personnel. This course fosters implementation strategies concluding in a process of promoting efficient and effective management in a public safety agency or the student’s chosen field of study. This course examines the outcome of each student’s individualized leadership plan toward educational and career goals with a personal portfolio developed in the Foundations of Public Safety Administration/Homeland Security course to ensure attainment of program goals.
PAD 4930 - Special Topics: Homeland Security/Public Safety Administration
(1-3 Variable Credit Hours) (B.A.S.)
This course is designed to meet specific needs of individuals or groups, which the standard courses do not meet. It may contain material selected from existing courses or emerging topics.
This course is an introduction to the history, rules and basic fundamentals of basketball. There is an emphasis on skill, strategies, drills and the development of the philosophy of basketball. (Offered as needed)
Students will acquire the basic knowledge, skills, strategy and values of the sport of league bowling. Fundamental skills taught include grips, proper stance, approach, release and delivery. Additional special fees are required. (Offered as needed) Note(s): See course comments in the schedule.
Basic knowledge, skills and values of basic conditioning, weight training and personal fitness will be presented. Additional special fees are required. Note(s): See course comments in the schedule.
This course will provide the student with an introduction to athletic training which will include history, injury prevention, establishing a program for managing specific injuries and rehabilitation. An emphasis is on protective and preventive taping and injury recognition also will be provided. (Offered as needed)
A thorough study of the rule books of different sports and techniques of officiating at various sports is provided. Several hours of practical field work in intramural programs or approved situations are required. (Offered as needed)
This course provides an introduction to the expressive possibilities of digital video recording of live events. Several hands-on exercises give the student practical experience in lighting, cinematography and basic sound recording. All stages of the process, including pre-production and post-production, will be addressed in the planning and delivery of a finished product for an intended audience.
This course introduces the student to electronic photographic image making through the use of computers and digital technology. Furthermore, this class will introduce the student to digital cameras, digital photographic systems and aesthetics for better composition with a concentration on creative expression. Additional special fees are required.
This course is an introduction to camera operation and image recording. This course will provide students with the basics of camera controls, camera menus, lenses and information on compositional guidelines for increased image effectiveness. Images will be reviewed with slide projection analysis.
Twelve hours of volunteer or work experience per week are expected based on the credit hour requirements. Prerequisites: Permission of instructor or program manager.
This work-study course reinforces education and professional growth in a student’s academic major through coordinated field experiences. The student, instructor and work site supervisor work together to determine specific learning objectives for each student. The student is then evaluated based on documentation of satisfactory completion of the learning objectives and work assignments.
Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: ENC 1101 with a grade of “C” or better.
This course meets the Gordon Rule requirement. This course provides an overview of the history of photography. The course will cover the time period between the inception of photography in 1826 to contemporary photographers such as Hiroshi Sugimoto and Lauren Greenfield. Students will learn through various slide presentations, lectures and assigned readings about the social, scientific and political atmosphere surrounding the photographers and how it shaped their work.
Three hours lecture/studio per week. Prerequisites: ENC 1101 with a grade of “C” or better.
This course meets Area IV of the A.A./A.S. general education requirements and the Gordon Rule requirement. This course provides an introduction to practices, theories and histories of photography. Students acquire basic darkroom skills and key elements of contemporary theoretical approaches to visual art.
This course will provide information pertaining to natural and artificial studio lighting techniques. Studio Lighting Techniques will introduce students to commercial applications for communicating information through the use of electronic strobe lighting and continuous lighting. This course begins with a review of basic lighting principles and a series of solution solving assignments that will introduce control and application of differing styles from past and present techniques. Table-top and portrait studio assignments are emphasized endowing students with the knowledge required for the business of studio photography. (as of Fall 2018, formerly, PGY 1201C)
This course provides information pertaining to location lighting techniques. This course introduces students to the creation of photographs recorded outside in the natural world using existing terrestrial architecture and landscapes as background. Commercial applications take form in the line of communicating information, ideas, and moods pertaining to environmental portraits, and corporate portraiture through the use of lighting techniques outside of the traditional studio. This course includes instruction with camera and portable lighting equipment as well as teaching logistic and planning operations. This course offers students the opportunity to attain technical and commercial photographic abilities for location style of lighting.
Basic problems in exposure, composition, lighting, developing and printing are assigned to help the student master black-and-white still photography. Additional special fees are required.
Three hours studio/lecture per week. Prerequisites: PGY 2401C or permission of the instructor.
The second term of photography provides an opportunity for the student to continue work in advanced techniques of camera and darkroom in black-and-white and some exploration of color camera work. Additional special fees are required.
Three hours studio/lecture per week. Prerequisites: PGY 2404C with a grade of “C” or better, or permission of instructor.
The student is provided with the opportunity for continuing creative expression through individually assigned problems in black-and-white, color, non-silver printing and digital imaging techniques. Additional special fees are required.
Three hours studio/lecture per week. Prerequisites: PGY 1800C with a grade of “C” or better, or permission of instructor.
This course combines the basic conventional photographic skills with the new technologies taking place with contemporary electronic image recording, editing and printing. Problems in exposure, composition, lighting styles, product reproduction, field building, image-editing software and proper handling of digital and conventional equipment give the student a thorough understanding for completion of a professional portfolio resulting in an advertising- and media-related field of images. Additional special fees are required.
Twelve hours of volunteer or work experience per week are expected based on the credit hour requirements. Prerequisites: Six hours of FIL or PGY credit and /or permission of instructor or program manager.
This work-study course is designed to continue training in a student’s academic major through field experiences. The student, instructor and work site supervisor work together to determine specific learning objectives for each student. The student is then evaluated based on documentation satisfactory completion of the learning objectives and technical project. Can be repeated with program manager’s approval.
PHI 2010 - Introduction to Philosophical Reasoning
(3 Credit Hours) (A.A.)
Three hours lecture per week.
This course meets Area IV requirements for the A.A./A.S. general education requirements and part of the six-hour International/Intercultural requirement. This course is an introduction to the nature of philosophy, philosophical reasoning, major intellectual moments in the history of philosophy, and specific problems in philosophy.
Three hours lecture per week. Prerequisites: ENC 1101 with a grade of “C” or better.
This course meets Area IV of the A.A./A.S. general education requirements, the Gordon Rule requirement and part of the International/Intercultural requirement. This course surveys the philosophical developments and thoughts of Asia including Hindu/Indian philosophy, Buddhist philosophy, Confucian philosophy and Taoist philosophy. An emphasis is placed on understanding the interaction among these philosophies. Comparison to the Western philosophical ideas are made whenever possible.
This is an integrated consideration of linguistic analysis, informal fallacy, categorical logic, propositional logic, inductive logic and questions of causality and probability. The aim of the course is to develop ability in problem solving and decision making.
This course meets Area IV of the A.A./A.S. general education requirements. This is a course designed to provide an introductory background to ethics and an in-depth study of the critical skills necessary to an intelligent analysis of contemporary issues. Emphasis will be placed on the systematic generation of options in order to determine choices for resolving dilemmas.
This course meets Area IV requirements for the A.A./A.S. general education requirements. This course presents standard theoretical and practical issues in environmental ethics, such as the question of how to ascribe value to individual life forms and entire ecosystems. It explores the historical roots of environmental problems. Attention is given to issues such as the invasive species problem and water management, which are matters of concern nationally and make particular impact locally. Study and direct field experience of local natural ecosystems is an essential component of the course. Students are responsible to arrange their own transportation to local nature preserves during scheduled class time and pay a very small admission fee to at least one local state park.
This course meets Area IV of the A.A./A.S. general education requirements. This course examines ethical principles and problems in a global business environment. Students will also learn to identify and analyze contemporary business ethical issues, principles and considerations. Students will also learn to use ethical reasoning in providing resolutions to some major contemporary ethical issues in business.
PHT 1007C - Introduction to Physical Therapy and Patient Care
(5 Credit Hours) (A.S.)
Three hours class, six hours laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program, BSC 2085C, mathematics (from Area II, A.S.), ENC 1101, and PSY 2012 with a grade of “C” or better.
Corequisites: PHT 1124C and completion of or concurrent enrollment in BSC 2086C. This course introduces the student to the history and philosophy of physical therapy and the role of the physical therapist assistant. Beginning patient care procedures are discussed. Students will practice professional interpersonal communication and clinical documentation skills. Basic therapeutic modalities and patient care techniques are introduced and practiced. Additional special fees are required.
Four hours class, six hours laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program; completion of BSC 2085C , MAT 1033 or higher, PSY 2012 , and ENC 1101 with a grade “C” or better.
Corequisites: PHT 1007C and completetion of or concurrent enrollment in BSC 2086C This is a course designed to assist the student in applying principles from the biological sciences to the biomechanical principles of human movement. Principles of exercise are introduced and manual muscle testing, goniometric measurement, gait assessment and training are discussed and practiced. A mandatory lab accompanies this course. Additional special fees are required.
PHT 1211C - Disabilities and Physical Therapy Procedures I
(6 Credit Hours) (A.S.)
Six hours class, nine hours laboratory per week for 11 weeks. Prerequisites: PHT 1007C, PHT 1124C and BSC 2086C with a grade of “C” or better.
Corequisites: PHT 1800L and PHT 2337C. The didactic portion of this course emphasizes rehabilitation as it relates to orthopedic diagnoses, disabilities and surgeries. Specific principles which guide the use of therapeutic modalities,such as heat, cold, sound, therapeutic electrical stimulation and traction are discussed and practiced in the laboratory. Students will study various types and models of equipment and the rationale for its use. Additional special fees are required.
Forty hours of clinical experience per week for four weeks. Prerequisites: Completetion of PHT 1007C, PHT 1124C with a grade of “C” or better.
Corequisites: Concurrent enrollment in PHT 1211C and PHT 2337C. This course introduces the student to beginning professional practice in the clinical setting. Application of skills in selected situations is the emphasis of this course.
PHT 2230 - Therapeutic Exercise Prescription and Application in Physical Therapy
(1 Credit Hour) (A.S.)
Prerequisites: Admission to the physical therapist assistant program; completion of BSC 2085C , ENC 1101 , MAT 1033 or higher, and PSY 2012 with a grade of “C” or better; completion of or concurrent enrollment in BSC 2086C
Corequisites: Concurrent enrollment in PHT technical course work. This course is designed to assist the student in applying principles related to prescription and application of therapeutic exercise as a Physical Therapist Assistant. The course is designed for both the first and second year PTA students, as an elective course, used to supplement the concepts and hands on application of therapeutic exercises learned in the PTA technical course work. Students will utilize critical thinking, interpersonal communication and motor skills to identify, demonstrate and synthesize appropriate therapeutic exercise interventions for patients and clients based on plans of care, patient/client needs and accepted exercise theory.
PHT 2321C - Disabilities and Physical Therapy Procedures III
(5 Credit Hours) (A.S.)
Six hours class, eight hours of laboratory per week for 10 weeks. Prerequisites: Completion of PHT 1007C, PHT 1124C, PHT 1211C, PHT 1800L and PHT 2337C with a grade of “C” or better.
Corequisites: PHT 2810L. This course introduces student to the study of neuromotor development and the treatment and rehabilitation of pediatric and adult neurologic diseases, disorders and disabilities through physical therapy intervention. Additional special fees are required.
. This course focuses on rehabilitation of cardiovascular disease diagnoses, disabilities and related surgical procedures. Principles of chest physical therapy, general conditioning, malignancies and women’s health are introduced as well as treatments and training of individuals with amputations. Laboratory activities also include burn and wound care and the related use of therapeutic modalities for these conditions. Additional special fees are required.
Corequisites: Concurrent enrollment in PHT 2321C. This clinical course encourages the student to further develop patient assessment and treatment skills. The student applies knowledge from classroom, laboratory and prior clinical course activities to clinical practice.
Corequisites: Concurrent enrollment in PHT 2931. The final clinical course is a comprehensive experience that prepares the student to function as a competent entry level physical therapist assistant. The focus is on progressing patient care, time management and the application of knowledge to entry level.
Six hour class per week for eight weeks. Prerequisites: PHT 2321C with a grade of “C” or better.
Corequisites: PHT 2820L. This course includes exploration of legal, ethical, and business issues related to the practice of physical therapy; current issues and trends in health care delivery; licensure, continuing education, career development and concepts of professionalism. A collaborative community service project will be included in this course. Additional special fees are required.
This course meets Area V of the A.A./A.S. general education requirements. This is a one semester course presenting selected topics from all branches of physics. This course is intended primarily for non science majors to help them understand the physical world in which they live. Additional special fees are required.
Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week. Prerequisites: completion of MAC 2311 with a grade of “C” of better.
This course meets Area V of the A.A./A.S. general education requirements. This course is a comprehensive study of fundamental concepts of natural laws, especially as they apply to mechanics and heat. This course is designed for preengineering and science majors. Students already with credit for PHY 2048C cannot subsequently get credit for PHY 2053C.
Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Completion of PHY 2048C with a grade of “C” or better.
This course meets Area V of the A.A./A.S. general education requirements. This course is a comprehensive study of fundamental concepts of natural laws especially as they apply to sound, optics, electricity, magnetism and modern physics. This course is designed for pre-engineering and science majors. Students already with credit for PHY 2049C cannot subsequently get credit for PHY 2053C.
Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Completion of MAC 1140 and MAC 1114 with a grade of “C” or better.
This course meets Area V of the A.A./A.S. general education requirements. This course is a comprehensive noncalculus study of fundamental concepts of natural laws, especially as they apply to mechanics, heat and sound. Students already with credit for PHY 2048C or PHY 2049C cannot subsequently get credit for PHY 2053C.
Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week. Prerequisites: completion of PHY 2053C with a grade of “C” or better.
This course is a comprehensive noncalculus study of fundamental concepts of natural laws, especially as they apply to optics, electricity, magnetism and modern physics. Students already with credit for PHY 2049C cannot subsequently get credit for PHY 2054C.
Course is prerequisite for entering the Legal Assisting Program. It provides a broad study of the relationships in a law office. The structure of the American legal system, including constitutional underpinnings, is covered. Legal ethics and basic issues common to all areas of law, such as court jurisdiction, conflicts of laws and remedies are taught.
(This course is required of all paralegal/legal assisting program majors and must be taken concurrently with PLA 1104.) This class meets the Gordon Rule requirement. This course will provide the student with a working knowledge of the major techniques of legal research and writing, including citation form. It will introduce the student to a broad practical approach to the use of legal publications and the law library. The student will complete assigned problems in legal research and will draft legal memoranda and case briefs.
This course offers the basic principles of real property practices in law offices. It prepares the legal assistant trainee to fully understand the techniques and procedures encountered and utilized by law firms and practicing attorneys in various forms of real property conveyancing. This course also offers the basic principles of judicial and non-judicial methods law firms and practicing attorneys apply in handling real estate loan defaults and the defenses and practices applied to defaults in the 21st Century.
or permission from instructor to waive co-requisite. This course is designed to familiarize the student with computerized legal research databases and enhance their legal research skills. Students will be able to locate and update legal authority using electronic (online) databases and sources, and to properly cite their resources in a memorandum of law.
PLA 1949 - Career Decision Work Experience in Legal Assisting
(3 Credit Hours) (A.A.)
12 hours of volunteer or work experience per week are expected based on the credit hour requirements. Prerequisites: PLA 1003 and/or permission of instructor or program manager.
This work-study course reinforces education and professional growth in a student’s academic major through coordinated field experiences. The student, instructor and work-site supervisor work together to determine specific learning objectives for each student. The student is then evaluated based on documentation of satisfactory completion of the learning objectives and work assignments.
This course emphasizes the law of contracts and forms relating to the law of sales and credit transactions, discussion of various instruments and the study of the Uniform Commercial Code. The course also emphasizes the basic principle of the Law of Torts.
This course meets the Gordon Rule requirements. This course is designed to perfect the research skills acquired in PLA 1104 and PLA 1730, including citation form. Emphasis is placed on developing facility in state and federal research and the drafting of memoranda and briefs. Computer-assisted legal research techniques using WestlawNext are examined in depth to compliment the techniques learned in PLA 1104 and PLA 1730. Ethical issues in legal research and writing are explored in depth.
Prerequisites/corequisites: Recommended prerequisite or corequisite: PLA 1003. This course emphasizes the civil court system and litigation procedures in the state of Florida and the federal courts, and will prepare the legal assistant to assist an attorney with civil trial duties up to the appeal level. All basic aspects of civil litigation are studied, including preliminary office procedures and drafting of all pleadings including interrogatories. Students will gain an understanding of substantive civil law and how to use the Florida and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Prerequisites: PLA 2203 with a grade of “C” or better or permission of the instructor.
This course builds upon PLA 2203 and will prepare the legal assistant to assist the attorney in civil trial practice through the appeals process. It includes drafting settlement proposals and a trial brief, abstracting depositions and the use of the Florida and Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. Students will have a mock trial and many activities and assignments will be based on the situations that arise from the preparation and trial process.
This course teaches about offenses against persons, property and habitation, statutory provisions, defenses, parties to the crime and jurisdiction, and all aspects of criminal procedures from probable cause and arrest to all hearings, discovery, trial and habeas corpus.
PLA 2433 - Corporations and Business Organizations
(3 Credit Hours) (A.A.)
This course offers instructions in all phases and aspects of corporate law and practice, stressing procedures in corporations and organizations; dissolution, merger, rights, liabilities, duties and obligation of stockholders, directors and officers; amendments of Articles of Incorporation; a study of partnerships; and business organizations.
PLA 2600 - Wills, Trusts and Probate Administration
(3 Credit Hours) (A.A.)
This course is designed to offer the legal assistant trainee a general understanding of the techniques and procedures involved in preparation of wills and trusts, estate planning, income, gift and inheritance taxes, probating of estates and estate accounting.
This course provides the student with hands-on experience in closing a variety of real estate transactions, from the simple residential sale to the complex commercial transaction. Students learn not only legal theory, but also the practical, “nuts and bolts” involved in taking a transaction from contract to closing. Students learn how to carry out advance negotiations and closings, based on current local and federal requirements. Students perform title searches and prepare title commitments, title policies and all necessary closing documents.