Paralegal/Legal Assisting [2018]

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Associate in Science Degree

(64 Credit Hours)

Program Manager

Suzanne Bechtol
941-752-5359
BechtoS@SCF.edu

Program Goal

To educate paralegals with an effective balance of legal knowledge and practical skills. To prepare the student for work in the legal profession upon graduation and to sit for the National Legal Assistant Certification Exam. This program is considered to be substantially in compliance with ABA guidelines for paralegal education by the American Association for Paralegal Education.

Program Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical and professional standards of the paralegal.
Demonstrate ability to utilize legal research materials and apply knowledge in legal writing.
Demonstrate basic knowledge of substantive law, including: tort law, constitutional law, criminal law, real property law, estate planning and probate, business organizations, contracts, and family law.
Demonstrate basic knowledge of procedural law, including: the fundamental steps of civil and criminal litigation and court rules and procedures.
Demonstrate basic knowledge of law office procedures and the technology involved in carrying out law firm management activities, case management, and document preparation/management.
Demonstrate employability skills, including: communication, employment search strategies, work habits, appearance, and basic computer skills.

General Education Courses

ENC 1101 - Written Communication I (3 Credit Hours)
Mathematics Choose from Area II, A.S. (3 Credit Hours)
Social Sciences Choose from Area III, A.S. (3 Credit Hours)
Humanities Choose from Area IV, A.S. (3 Credit Hours)
Natural Science Choose from Area V, A.S. (3 Credit Hours)

Subtotal Credit Hours: 15

Program Specialization Courses

Please consult the course description section of the Catalog for any prerequisites. Students should take the PLA courses in sequence if possible.

SPC 1608 - Fundamentals of Speech Communication (3 Credit Hours) OR
SPC 1300 - Interpersonal Communication (3 Credit Hours)
CGS 1570 - Integrated Business Apps Software (3 Credit Hours)
PLA 1003 - Introduction to Legal Systems (3 Credit Hours)
PLA 2001 - General Law (3 Credit Hours)
PLA 2800 - Introduction to Family Law (3 Credit Hours)
PLA 2763 - Law Office Management (3 Credit Hours)
PLA 2303 - Criminal Law and Procedures (3 Credit Hours)
PLA 1104 - Legal Research and Writing I (3 Credit Hours)
PLA 2433 - Corporations and Business Organizations (3 Credit Hours)
PLA 2600 - Wills, Trusts and Probate Administration (3 Credit Hours)
PLA 2732 - Law Office Computer Applications (3 Credit Hours)
PLA 1610 - Real Property Law/Transactions (3 Credit Hours)
PLA 2203 - Civil Litigation I (3 Credit Hours)
PLA 2223 - Civil Litigation II (3 Credit Hours)
PLA 2949 - Internship in Paralegal/Legal Assisting (3 Credit Hours)
PLA 1730 - Computer Assisted Legal Research (1 Credit Hour)

Electives (3 Credit Hours):

Choose one from:

PLA 2114 - Legal Research and Writing II (3 Credit Hours)
PLA 2612 - Real Estate II: From Contract to Closing (3 Credit Hours)
PLA 1949 - Career Decision Work Experience in Legal Assisting (3 Credit Hours)
PLA 2950 - Certified Paralegal Examination Review (3 Credit Hours)
ACG 2021 - Principles of Financial Accounting (3 Credit Hours)
APA 1111 - Introduction to Accounting (3 Credit Hours)
BUL 2131 - Legal Environments of Business (3 Credit Hours)
GEB 2210 - Business Presentations and Communications (3 Credit Hours)

Subtotal Credit Hours: 49

Note(s):

The Legal Assisting Program has a recommended sequence that includes both general and specialized program courses.

Please see the Paralegal/Legal Assisting Program manager for additional information.

Articulated credit from a technical college/secondary school may be applicable. For more information click here: http://www.scf.edu/Academics/CareerTechnicalEducation/Career_Pthwys.asp.

A related certificate also is offered. See certificate listing.

Degree Pathway

Required Courses and recommended Sequence: The following is a recommended sequence of courses for completing this program. Developmental courses and prerequisite course requirements, credit load, and/or course availability may affect a student’s individual progress. Course availability within the program sequences is specifically intended for full-time students who begin their course work with the fall semester. Students should always consult their online degree planner for the catalog year that they entered the college, and contact their program manager to better understand typical course availability and individual program planning.

Please follow link to: http://www.scf.edu/Academics/degree-pathways.asp