Bachelor of Arts Degree in Paralegal Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies is a four-year degree program. It is designed both to prepare new entrants into the paralegal field and to provide opportunities for practicing paralegal professionals to enhance their career credentials. Students who specialize in paralegal studies will be prepared to participate as efficient and effective members of legal teams. Career opportunities include position in law firms, government agencies, legal services office, corporations, professional and trade associations, banks, real estate organization organizations, and other public-and private-sector businesses.

The purpose of the paralegal studies program in the Accelerated Evening Program is to combine specialized legal training courses with a strong liberal arts foundation. The curriculum is a well integrated program which effectively prepares paralegal and prospective law school students for the roles they will play in the legal field by reinforcing the basic principles of verbal and written communication, the techniques of scholarly research, and teaching a system of critical and analytical thinking. Such skills in accurate expression and clear, logical thinking are crucial to the successful interaction and professional service to future legal clients.

The Bachelor of Arts degree program in Paralegal Studies offers students the following objectives: to provide future paralegals and attorneys with a sound legal education; to provide future paralegals and attorneys with an enhanced understanding of individuals and society with a knowledge of the liberal arts; to provide students with an opportunity to increase both their experience and their employability through participation in hands-on legal internships.

Freshman Year
Course   Credit Hours
COMO 103 Oral Communication 3
CSOO 126 Understanding the HU Culture 3
Cultures & Civilizations CSOO 170, ENGO 215, MUSO 205, HISO 308, SPAO 303 3
  MGMO 321, POLO 307, 405, 406, or 409 or SOCO 305  
CSO 201 or 213 Introduction to Micro-Computers or Computer Application 3
ENGO 101 Written Communication I 3
ENGO 102 Written Communication II 3
HISO 106 World Civilizations I 3
Cultures & Civilizations HISO 105, 107 or 202 3
MATO 109 College Mathematics I 3
MATO 110 College Mathematics II 3
PLSO 125 Law in Society 3
  Total 33
     
Sophomore Year
Course   Credit Hours
Arts & Humanities ARTO 200, 305 or 306, ENGO 214;Foreign Language, 3
  HUMO 202, MUSO 200, 201, 202 or 205; PHIO 203, 204,  
  210, 301, 304 or 305  
BIOO or ENSO 204 Nature of Life or Introduction to Environmental Science 3
ECOO 200 Introduction to Economics 3
HEAO 200 Health Education 2
HUMO 201 Seminar in Humanities I 3
MATO 205 / MGMO 215 Introduction to Statistics or Principles of Statistical Analysis 3
PLSO 126 Legal Research 3
PLSO 127 Legal Writing 3
PLSO 150 Torts and Personal Injury 3
SCIO 205 Introduction to Physical Science 3
SOCO 205 Introduction to Sociology 3
  Total 32
     
Junior Year
Course   Credit Hours
MGMO 340 Business Communication 3
PLSO 305 Law Office Management 3
PLSO 306 Contemporary Legal Ethics 3
PLSO 310 Real Estate 3
PLSO 320 Litigation and Trial Practice 3
PLSO 350 Business Organizations 3
PLSO 360 Criminal Law 3
PLSO 370 Domestic Relations 3
ELECTIVE Free Elective 3
ELECTIVE Free Elective 3
ELECTIVE Free Elective 3
  Total 33
     
Senior Year
Course   Credit Hours
ELECTIVE Free Elective 3
PLSO 400 Legal Evidence 3
PLSO 403 Contract Law 3
PLSO 404 Bankruptcy 3
PLSO 405 Wills, Trusts and Estates 3
PLSO 410 Constitutional Law 3
ELECTIVE Free Elective 3
PLSO 499 Paralegal Capstone Internship 3
  Total 24

Minimum grade of “C” is required in all Major and all Related courses including CSOO 201, ECON 200, ENGO 101-102 and COMO 103. A minimum grade of ā€œCā€ is required in all transfer courses. Courses taken to meet General Education Requirements cannot also be used to satisfy major requirements.

122 Total Credit Hours