PLGLA - Paralegal Studies, Academic Credit Certificate

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Program Title

Paralegal Studies, Academic Credit Certificate

Program Code

PLGLA

Program Description

This accelerated program is designed for students who possess a bachelor's or associate's degree and want to complete the requirements necessary to perform as a paralegal in a law office, corporate environment, or government office by offering the necessary paralegal courses to achieve competency in this profession. The purpose of this certificate is to train paralegals/legal assistants. It is not intended to be a program for training lawyers or legal administrators. A paralegal/legal assistant may not engage in the practice of law by accepting cases, giving legal advice, appearing in court, setting fees, etc. Engaging in the unauthorized practice of law is a criminal offense in the State of New Jersey.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

- Draft legal documents in selected areas of law
- Exhibit technology skills
- Perform computerized and manual legal research
- Utilize legal software programs
- Utilize word processing to draft legal documents
- Demonstrate ethical and professional responsibility

Requirements

General Education- 6 credits as follows:

course - English Composition: The Writing Process Credits: 3
Any other General Education Course that follows the A.A.S. degree (MUSI and course may not be used to satisfy the General Education requirement.)

Career Studies- 25 credits as follows:

A grade of "C" or higher must be earned in all career studies courses in order to complete this program.

course - Introduction to Law Credits: 3
course - Legal Research and Writing Credits: 4
course - Real Property Transactions Credits: 3 *
course - Family Law Credits: 3 *
course - Legal Ethics Credits: 3
course - Civil Litigation and Trial Practice Credits: 3 **
course - Computer Applications in Law Credits: 3
course - Wills, Estates and Probate Credits: 3

Total Credits: 31

Notes:

* Offered Fall Term only

** Offered Spring Term only

Suggested Sequence

The following sequence is an example of how this degree can be completed in one year, with a Fall Term start date.

Semester 1: Fall Term

course - Introduction to Law Credits: 3
course - Real Property Transactions Credits: 3
course - Legal Research and Writing Credits: 4
course - Family Law Credits: 3
course - English Composition: The Writing Process Credits: 3

Total Credits: 16

Semester 2: Spring Term

course - Legal Ethics Credits: 3
course - Civil Litigation and Trial Practice Credits: 3
course - Computer Applications in Law Credits: 3
course - Wills, Estates and Probate Credits: 3
General Education Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15