Paralegal Studies, Degree
Program
Standard and Course Guide
Table of Contents
|
SPECIFIC PROGRAM STANDARDS |
|
Standard Number: PS03-02-01
(Admission Requirements)
Statewide admission requirements are implemented for the Paralegal
Studies Degree program.
Admission refers to regular admission into a Degree-granting program.
Statewide program admission requirements consider state and national
occupational licensing and certifying requirements, where applicable.
The institution develops and implements clearly stated Degree program
admissions policies and procedures.
Admission requirements are related to the functions of the Paralegal
Studies profession.
Evaluative Criteria
The institution develops, implements, and publishes clearly stated
Paralegal Studies Degree program admission and advanced placement policies and
procedures.
The requirements for admission to the Paralegal Studies Degree program
are:
a. documentation of high school graduation or satisfaction of High
School Equivalency Certificate requirements;
b. achievement of minimum regular admission scores on tests of reading, language,
and math as specified in GDTAE document Minimum
Program Entrance Scores; and
c. completion of application
and related procedures.
Admission of
transfer students to the Paralegal Studies Degree program is contingent upon
their meeting the following requirements:
a. regular admission and good standing at a regionally accredited diploma or
degree granting institution; and
b. proper completion of
application and related procedures.
Standard Number: PS03 02-04 (Provisional
Admission Requirements)
Standard Statement
Statewide provisional admission requirements are implemented for the
Paralegal Studies Degree program.
Explanatory Comment
Provisional admission is granted to qualified students who do not meet
the regular admission requirements of the program.
Provisionally admitted students are allowed to take developmental studies
courses and/or certain occupational courses as designated in the course
sequence standard.
The institution develops, implements, and publishes clearly stated
policies and procedures for entry into Degree programs on a provisional basis.
Evaluative Criteria
Provisional admission to the Paralegal Studies Degree program is afforded
those students who do not meet program requirements but do meet provisional
admission requirements.
The requirements for provisional admission to the Paralegal Studies
Degree program are:
a. documentation of high school graduation or satisfaction of High
School Equivalency Certificate requirements;
b. achievement of minimum provisional admission scores on tests of reading,
language, and math as specified in GDTAE document Minimum Program Entrance Scores; or recommendation by
program faculty and designated admissions personnel on the basis of interview
and assessment of student potential; and
c. completion of application
and related procedures.
All Paralegal Studies Degree program students initially admitted on a
provisional basis meet regular admission requirements prior to graduation.
Provisionally
admitted students whose English, math, and/or reading
achievement levels do not meet regular program admission requirements are
required to enroll in developmental studies courses approved by the Georgia
Board of Technical and Adult Education.
Standard Number: PS03-03-02 (Program Numbering System)
A Major Code of PS03 and a CIP Code of 22.0302 are applied to the
Paralegal Studies, Degree program.
Assignment of a statewide Major Code PS03 and CIP Code 22.0302 to the
Degree program is the basis from which statewide programmatic consistency is
developed.
Each degree/diploma/certificate program complies with the assigned Major
Code(s) established in the relevant program-specific standards of the State
Board of Technical and Adult Education.
Each authorized degree/diploma/certificate program is assigned a Major
Code and CIP Code.
Each
degree/diploma/certificate having a given Major Code is consistent with all
other programs throughout the state that have the same Major Code.
Degree/diplomas/certificate programs having multiple specializations are
assigned a specialization Major Code for each option.
Standard Number: PS03-03-03 (Program Consistency and Sequence)
The Paralegal Studies Degree program utilizes essential course components
consistent with statewide program requirements. Specific course alphanumeric
identification Codes are assigned to each course. Students are required to progress through two
course categories in a developmentally valid sequence.
Programs are assigned an identical Major Code PS03 and are consistent
statewide. Each specific course is assigned an alphanumeric descriptor that
serves as a statewide course identification Code.
The Paralegal Studies Degree program is assigned a Major Code of PS03,
and utilizes essential components designated for that program number statewide.
Program components include, but are not limited to:
Paralegal Studies, Degree
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 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.
Courses
|
General Core Courses
|
Class Hours |
D. Lab Hours |
P. Lab/ OBI Hours |
Weekly Contact Hours |
Credit Hours (30) |
Composition and
Rhetoric I
[P] program admission |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
Composition and Rhetoric II [P] ENG 191, with C or better |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
Fundamentals of Speech [P] * |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
Introductory to Psychology [P] Program admission |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
Introduction to Sociology [P] Program admission |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
OR
|
||||||
|
Principles of Economics [P] program admission |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
College Algebra |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
OR
|
||||||
|
Contemporary Mathematics [P] ** |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
Courses |
Occupational Courses |
Class Hours |
D. Lab Hours |
P. Lab/ OBI Hours |
Weekly Contact Hours |
Credit Hours (75) |
|
Introduction to Microcomputers [P] |
1 |
4 |
0 |
5 |
3 |
|
|
Introduction to Law and Ethics [P] Provisional admission |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
Legal Research [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
Legal Writing [P] ENG 191, PLS 101, 102 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
Family Law [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
Real Estate Law [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
Civil Litigation [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
Wills, Trusts, Probate, and Administration [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
Tort Law [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
Contracts and Commercial Law [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
Paralegal O.B.I. [P] All previous Course Work |
0 |
0 |
36 |
36 |
12 |
|
|
Completion of two of the following courses is required. |
||||||
|
Law Office Management [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
Business Organizations [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
Advanced Research and Writing [P] PLS 103; ENG 193 |
1 |
0 |
13 |
14 |
5 |
|
|
Courses |
Elective(s) |
Class Hours |
D. Lab Hours |
P. Lab/ OBI Hours |
Weekly Contact Hours |
Credit Hours (10) |
|
XXX xxx |
Elective(s) |
|
|
|
|
10 |
Program Final Exit
Point
Exit point
115 minimum
quarter hours credit required for graduation
The
Paralegal Studies program must conform to the institutional accreditation
requirements of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools by meeting
Commission on Colleges (COC) or Commission on Occupational Education
Institutions (COEI) accreditation requirements and must not conflict with the
accreditation criteria established by COC and COEI.
General
Information
Degree Program
Curriculum Model
Statement of
sequence
Suggested Sequence
I
FIRST QUARTER
Course Code
|
Course Name |
Class Hours |
D. Lab Hours |
P. Lab/ OBI Hours |
Weekly Contact Hours |
Credit Hours (20) |
|
ENG 191 |
Composition and Rhetoric I [P] program admission |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
PLS 101 |
Introduction to Law and Ethics [P] Provisional admission |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
XXXxxx |
Elective |
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
SOC 191 |
Introduction to Sociology [P] Program admission |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
OR
|
||||||
|
ECO 191 |
Principles of Economics [P] program admission |
(5) |
0 |
0 |
(5) |
(5) |
TOTAL
|
15+ |
0+ |
0+ |
15+ |
20 |
|
SECOND QUARTER
Course Code
|
Course Name |
Class Hours |
D. Lab Hours |
P. Lab/ OBI Hours |
Weekly Contact Hours |
Credit Hours (18) |
|
SCT 100 |
Introduction to Microcomputers [P] |
1 |
4 |
0 |
5 |
3 |
|
ENG 193 |
Composition and Rhetoric II [P] ENG 191, with C or better |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
PLS 102 |
Legal Research [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
SPC 191 |
Fundamentals of Speech [P] * |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
TOTAL
|
16 |
4 |
0 |
20 |
18 |
|
THIRD QUARTER
Course Code
|
Course Name
|
Class Hours |
D. Lab Hours |
P. Lab/ OBI Hours |
Weekly Contact Hours |
Credit Hours (20) |
|
PLS 103 |
Legal Writing [P] ENG 191, PLS 101, 102 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
PLS 108 |
Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
PSY 191 |
Introductory to Psychology [P] Program admission |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
XXXxxx |
Elective
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
TOTAL
|
15+ |
0+ |
0+ |
15+ |
20 |
|
FOURTH QUARTER
Course Code
|
Course Name |
Class Hours |
D. Lab Hours |
P. Lab/ OBI Hours |
Weekly Contact Hours |
Credit Hours (15) |
|
PLS 105 |
Real Estate Law [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
PLS 109 |
Civil Litigation [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
PLS 111 |
Trot Law [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
TOTAL
|
15 |
0 |
0 |
15 |
15 |
|
FIFTH QUARTER
Course Code
|
Course Name |
Class Hours |
D. Lab Hours |
P. Lab/ OBI Hours |
Weekly Contact Hours |
Credit Hours (15) |
|
PLS 104 |
Family Law [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
PLS 110 |
Wills, Trusts, Probate, and Administration [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
PLS 116 |
Contracts and Commercial Law [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
TOTAL
|
15 |
0 |
0 |
15 |
15 |
|
SIXTH QUARTER
Course Code
|
Course Name
|
Class Hours |
D. Lab Hours |
P. Lab/ OBI Hours |
Weekly Contact Hours |
Credit Hours (15) |
|
MAT 191 |
College Algebra |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
OR
|
||||||
|
MAT 196 |
Contemporary Mathematics [P] ** |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
Choose two of the following three courses. |
||||||
|
PLS 112 |
Law Office Management [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
OR
|
||||||
|
PLS 115 |
Business Organizations [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
OR
|
||||||
|
PLS 117 |
Advanced Research and Writing [P] PLS 103; ENG 193 |
1 |
0 |
13 |
14 |
5 |
TOTAL
|
11+ |
0+ |
15+ |
15+ |
15 |
|
SEVENTH QUARTER
Course Code
|
Course Name
|
Class Hours |
D. Lab Hours |
P. Lab/ OBI Hours |
Weekly Contact Hours |
Credit Hours (12) |
|
PLS 118 |
Paralegal O.B.I. [P] All previous Course Work |
0 |
0 |
36 |
36 |
12 |
TOTAL
|
0 |
0 |
36 |
36 |
12 |
|
Suggested Sequence
II
FIRST QUARTER
Course Code
|
Course Name
|
Class Hours |
D. Lab Hours |
P. Lab/ OBI Hours |
Weekly Contact Hours |
Credit Hours (23) |
|
SCT 100 |
Introduction to Microcomputers [P] |
1 |
4 |
0 |
5 |
3 |
|
ENG 191 |
Composition and Rhetoric I [P] program admission |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
PLS 101 |
Introduction to Law and Ethics [P] Provisional admission |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
PLS 108 |
Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
PSY 191 |
Introductory to Psychology [P] Program admission |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
TOTAL
|
21 |
4 |
0 |
25 |
23 |
|
SECOND QUARTER
Course Code
|
Course Name |
Class Hours |
D. Lab Hours |
P. Lab/ OBI Hours |
Weekly Contact Hours |
Credit Hours |
|
ENG 193 |
Composition and Rhetoric II [P] ENG 191, with C or better |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
PLS 102 |
Legal Research [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
XXXxxx |
Elective |
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
XXXxxx |
Elective |
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
MAT 191 |
College Algebra |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
OR
|
||||||
|
MAT 196 |
Contemporary Mathematics [P] ** |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
SOC 191 |
Introduction to Sociology [P] Program admission |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
OR
|
||||||
|
ECO 191 |
Principles of Economics [P] program admission |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
TOTAL
|
20+ |
0+ |
0+ |
20+ |
40 |
|
THIRD QUARTER
Course Code
|
Course Name
|
Class Hours |
D. Lab Hours |
P. Lab/ OBI Hours |
Weekly Contact Hours |
Credit Hours |
|
PLS 103 |
Legal Writing [P] ENG 191, PLS 101, 102 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
PLS 104 |
Family Law [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
PLS 105 |
Real Estate Law [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
PLS 109 |
Civil Litigation [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
PLS 110 |
Wills, Trusts, Probate, and Administration [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
PLS 111 |
Trot Law [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
TOTAL
|
30 |
0 |
0 |
30 |
30 |
|
FOURTH QUARTER
Course Code
|
Course Name
|
Class Hours |
D. Lab Hours |
P. Lab/ OBI Hours |
Weekly Contact Hours |
Credit Hours (20) |
|
PLS 116 |
Contracts and Commercial Law [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
SPC 191 |
Fundamentals of Speech [P] * |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
Choose two of the following three. |
||||||
|
PLS 112 |
Law Office Management [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
OR |
||||||
|
PLS 115 |
Business Organizations [P] PLS 101 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
OR |
||||||
|
PLS 117 |
Advanced Research and Writing [P] PLS 103; ENG 193 |
1 |
0 |
13 |
14 |
5 |
TOTAL
|
11+ |
0+ |
13+ |
15+ |
20 |
|
FIFTH QUARTER
Course Code
|
Course Name |
Class Hours |
D. Lab Hours |
P. Lab/ OBI Hours |
Weekly Contact Hours |
Credit Hours |
|
PLS 118 |
Paralegal O.B.I. [P] All previous Course Work |
0 |
0 |
36 |
36 |
12 |
TOTAL
|
0 |
0 |
36 |
36 |
12 |
|
Paralegal Studies, Degree
Suggested
Equipment List:
Audio tape recorder
Billing/accounting system
Briefcase
Calculator
Computer data base
Computer modem
Computer printer
Computer software
Dictionary
Fax machine
Filing system
Law books
Legal dictionary/thesaurus
Microcomputer
Microfilm reader
Photographic camera
Telephone
Telephone/address index
Tickler system
Video camera
Video recorder
Word processor
Updated
CIP: 09/09/04
Updated:
04/21/08