PLGLS - Paralegal Studies Program, A.A.S.

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Program Title

Paralegal Studies Program, A.A.S.

Program Code

PLGLS

Program Description

The Paralegal Studies Program is an institutional member of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE), and maintains a chapter of the Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX) Honor Society. The purpose of this program 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. The New Jersey State Bar Association defines a paralegal/ legal assistant as "an individual qualified through education, training or work experience who is retained by a lawyer, law office, governmental agency or other entity to perform, under the direction and supervision of a lawyer, specifically delegated substantive legal work, which for the most part requires sufficient knowledge of legal concepts and which, absent the paralegal or legal assistant, would be performed by a lawyer." The Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility of the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc., in its Preamble, provides that it is the responsibility of every paralegal/legal assistant to adhere strictly to the accepted standards of legal ethics and to live by general principles of proper conduct. The performance of duties of the paralegal/legal assistant is governed by specific canons of ethics in order that justice will be served and the goals of the profession attained. This program, while not designed for transfer, may transfer in part or in its entirety to four-year schools.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

- Examine the concepts and principles of substantive and procedural law
- Demonstrate information literacy using electronic and other sources to conduct legal research
- Utilize legal software programs and other applications to draft legal documents
- Demonstrate ethical and professional responsibility

Requirements

General Education: 20-22 Credits

As described in the General Education section of the catalog and as identified below:

course - English Composition: The Writing Process Credits: 3
course - English Composition: Writing and Research or course - Public Speaking Credits: 3
Humanities or Social Sciences Credits: 3-4
Mathematics/Science/Technological Competency Credits: 3
Any General Education Credits: 8-9

General Education Note:

MUSI courses and course may not be used to satisfy the 20-credit General Education requirement.

Career Studies: 16 Credits as Follows:

A grade of "C" or higher is required in career studies courses.

course - Introduction to Law Credits: 3
course - Legal Research and Writing Credits: 4
course - Legal Ethics Credits: 3
course - Civil Litigation and Trial Practice Credits: 3 **
course - Computer Applications in Law Credits: 3

Career Studies: 12 Credits From Among the Following:

A grade of "C" or higher is required in career studies courses.

course - Real Property Transactions Credits: 3 *
course - Family Law Credits: 3 *
course - Criminal Procedure Credits: 3 **
course - Wills, Estates and Probate Credits: 3
course - Corporate Law Procedure Credits: 3 *
course - Elder Law Credits: 3 **
course - Paralegal Internship Credits: 3

Career Studies: 9 Credits From Courses Remaining Above, or From the Following:

A grade of "C" or higher is required in career studies courses.

course - Business Law I Credits: 3
course - Business Law II Credits: 3 ***
course - Constitutional Law Credits: 3 *
course - Torts Credits: 3 **
course - Entertainment Law I Credits: 3 ***
course - Special Project - Paralegal Studies Credits: 1-4

Electives: 1-3 Credits

Total Credits Required for Degree: 60

Notes:

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

*Offered Fall Term only

**Offered Spring Term only

***Offered Summer Term only

Suggested Sequence

The following sequence is an example of how this degree can be completed in two years. This sequence is based on satisfaction of all Foundational Studies requirements and prerequisites and presumes a Fall Term start date. An individual’s program may vary depending on transfer institution, career objectives, or individual needs. See a counselor for other options and to monitor your progress.

Semester 1: Fall Term

course - Introduction to Law Credits: 3
Career Studies Credits: 3
course - English Composition: The Writing Process Credits: 3
Social Sciences Credits: 3
course - Legal Ethics Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15

Semester 2: Spring Term

Career Studies Credits: 6
course - Legal Research and Writing Credits: 4
course - Public Speaking Credits: 3
Humanities Credits: 3

Total Credits: 16

Semester 3: Fall Term

course - Computer Applications in Law Credits: 3
Career Studies Credits: 6
Mathematics/Science/Technological Competency Credits: 3-4
General Education Credits: 3 (1)

Total Credits: 15-16

Semester 4: Spring Term

course - Civil Litigation and Trial Practice Credits: 3 **
Career Studies Credits: 6
General Education Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 1-3

Total Credits: 13-15

Sequence Notes:

**Offered Spring Term only

(1) One course is recommended from the Cultural and Global Awareness knowledge area.