Program Description: The Paralegal Studies program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for positions in the paralegal profession. Learning opportunities develop academic, technical and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The knowledge and skills emphasized in this program include ethical obligations; research in state and federal law; legal correspondence preparation; family law matters; basic concepts of real property law, criminal law and procedure, civil litigation, tort law, and substantive contract law; and wills, trusts, and probate. The program of study emphasizes opportunities that provide students with specialized legal knowledge and skills required to aid lawyers in the delivery of legal services. Program graduates receive a Paralegal Studies Associate of Applied Technology degree.
Unauthorized Practice of Law: The
goal of the Paralegal Studies Program is to train students in legal theory,
analytical, communication and adaptation of skills. Paralegals shall not engage
in the unauthorized practice of law as proscribed by the Official Code of
Georgia, 15-19-51 and must work under the supervision and direction of a
licensed attorney in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia.
|
Minimum Required
Age: |
16 |
|
High School Diploma or GED
Required: |
Yes
|
Minimum Test Scores: [COMPASS]
|
Reading: |
79 |
|
English: |
62 |
|
Mathematics: |
N/A |
|
Algebra |
37 |
Program Courses:
General Education Core (Required Minimum: 15 Semester Credit Hours
Area I - Language Arts /Communication
|
Course Number |
Course Name |
Hours |
|
ENGL1101 |
Composition and Rhetoric |
3 |
Area II - Social/Behavioral Sciences
| Select from Area II |
3 |
Area III - Natural Sciences/Mathematics - Select One
| Course Number | Course Name | Hours |
|
MATH1100 |
Quantitative Skills and Reasoning |
(3) |
|
MATH1101 |
Mathematical Modeling |
(3) |
|
MATH1111 |
College
Algebra |
3 |
Area IV - Humanities/Fine Arts
|
Select from Area IV |
3 |
Program-Specific Requirements:
| Course Number | Course Name | Hours |
|
SPCH1101 |
Public Speaking |
3 |
General Education Elective:
| Course Number | Course Name | Hours |
|
XXXXxxxx |
Select from Area II, III, or IV |
3 |
|
Total General Education Hours: |
18 |
Occupational Courses:
| Course Number | Course Name | Hours |
| COMP1000 |
Introduction to Computers |
3 |
| PARA1100 |
Introduction to Law and
Ethics |
3 |
| PARA1105 |
Legal Research and Legal Writing
I |
3 |
| PARA1110 |
Legal Research and Legal Writing
II |
3 |
|
PARA1115 |
Family Law |
3 |
|
PARA1120 |
Real Estate Law |
3 |
|
PARA1125 |
Criminal Law and Criminal
Procedures |
3 |
|
PARA1130 |
Civil Litigation |
3 |
|
PARA1135 |
Wills, Trusts, Probate, and
Administration |
3 |
|
PARA1140 |
Tort Law |
3 |
|
PARA1145 |
Law Office Management |
3 |
|
PARA1150 |
Contracts, Commercial Law and Business
Organizations |
3 |
|
PARA2210 |
Paralegal Internship I |
6 |
|
Total Occupational Hours: |
42 |
Occupational Guided Electives
Complete 9 Credits from the Following Courses:
| Course Number | Course Name | Hours |
|
PARA1205 |
Constitutional Law |
3 |
|
PARA1210 |
Legal and Policy Issues in
Healthcare |
3 |
|
PARA1215 |
Administrative Law |
3 |
|
ENGL1105 |
Technical Communications |
3 |
|
Total Elective Hours: |
9 |
|
Total Program Hours: |
69 |
|
Program Length: 5 Semesters |