Degrees
PARALEGAL STUDIES CONCENTRATION
Associate in Applied Science Degree
Degree Information
The Paralegal Studies Program at Lackawanna College is designed to prepare the future paralegal professional with the necessary practical skills to enable him/her to effectively assist lawyers in both the private and public sectors. The goal of the program is for the student to acquire vital critical thinking, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills. The program is designed to train candidates as paralegals who can perform effectively in a variety of legal settings and can adapt to changes in the legal environment and law practice. Above all, the program emphasizes knowledge of what the law is and the skills to use that knowledge on behalf of clients as part of a legal services delivery team.
Upon graduating, students enrolled in the program will seek employment as legal professionals. The program meets the employment and personnel needs of practicing attorneys, government and social service agencies, banks, insurance companies and corporations, title companies, and real estate firms.
Recommended Course of Study
First Semester
College Writing*
Mathematical Reasoning or College Algebra*
Introduction to Computer Applications or Computer Applications II
Introduction to Psychology*
Introduction to Paralegal Studies
Self-Dev (1 credit)
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Second Semester
Effective Speaking
Computer Applications II or Elective
Legal Research & Writing
Contract & Commercial Law
Civil Litigation & Torts
Self-Dev (1 credit)
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Third Semester
Applied Ethics*
Advanced Legal Writing & Document Prep
Criminal Law
Business Organizations
Family Law
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Fourth Semester
Global History Elective
Real Estate Law
Wills/Estates/Trusts
Medical Office Terminology/Transcription
Co-Op or Elective
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*Developmental courses may be required as prerequisites
**Courses listed in blue are described below. Other course descriptions are listed with Core Requirements
Course Descriptions - Law
LA 124 – Introduction to Paralegal Studies
This course serves as an introduction to the paralegal field including but not limited to legal terminology and scope of paralegal skills and responsibilities. It balances an overview of the legal system and substantive law with practical paralegal skills. Also examined are the roles of the lawyer and paralegal and ethical issues in the practice of law (3 Credits).
LA 135 – Civil Litigation & Torts
Students receive an overview of basic concepts of the mechanical procedures by which the legal system operates and the basic concepts of tort law, including negligence, duty, breach, proximate cause, intentional torts, and strict liability. The various types of damages that can be awarded and what needs to be established to collect such damages will be discussed (3 Credits).
LA 137 – Contract & Commercial Law
Students receive an overview of the basic elements of contract law, including relevant portions of the Uniform Commercial Code and their application in the practice of law. The course will provide students with an understanding of the manner in which contracts are formed and what elements must be present for a contract to be valid, the rights and obligations of various parties to the contract, as well as the rights of third parties, and remedies that are available when contracts are breached and the steps that must be taken to invoke those remedies (3 Credits).
LA 145 – Criminal Law
Students receive and introduction to the laws of and procedures governing criminal offenses and are taught to prepare the various legal documents associated with criminal law (3 Credits).
LA 202 - Legal Research
This is a course examining the methods of finding the law applicable to factual and/or legal disputes. The methods of finding primary material sources, such as cases, statutes and regulations, and secondary materials, such as textbooks and treatises, are examined (3 Credits).
LA 207 - Real Estate Law
This basic course will show the purpose and preparation of various types of agreements affecting real property, including agreements of sale, closing statements, deeds, mortgages, leases and other related documents. The course will also show the mechanics of a title search (3 Credits). Prerequisites: LA 112 and LA 202
LA 208 - Wills/Estates/Trusts
The basic concepts of estate planning and will preparation are considered in this course. Emphasis will be placed upon the administration and probation of an estate, including the preparation and filing of federal and state tax returns and other required documents (3 Credits). Prerequisites: LA 112 and LA 202
LA 210 - Family Law
The grounds for obtaining a divorce or an annulment are analyzed in this course, with particular emphasis on the procedure for procuring each. Also considered in this course are child support, custody and adoption problems (3 Credits). Prerequisites: LA 112 and LA 202, LA225 and LA242
LA 225 – Business Organizations
This course examines the formation, operation, liabilities, and termination and tax considerations of each business entity. Employment law and the law of agency are introduced (3 Credits).
LA 242 – Advanced Legal Writing & Document Preparation
Students will continue their training using Lexis/Nexis, Westlaw, and legal research on the Internet to locate applicable statutes, administrative regulations, constitutional provisions, court cases and other primary source materials. Preparation of selected legal documents and case assignments dealing with contracts, wills, complaints, discovery materials and briefs will be introduced. Students will be cognizant of the form, content, and function of legal documents that are typically prepared as part of the legal process (3 Credits).
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