Programs
Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies (ADPS)
Paralegal Programs | Paralegal Diploma | Paralegal Associate Degree | Paralegal Continuing Education
The Paralegal Institute offers an additional opportunity for you to add a competitive edge in your pursuit of the best available position in the Paralegal field by offering an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies.
Students must successfully complete the same courses outlined in the Paralegal Diploma Program, as well as, the five following specialty courses of 15 credit hours. To complete the requirements for the ADPS, students are required to take five general education courses (or transfer credits showing completion and competence in these courses passing with a C or better). The ADPS is composed of sixty (60) semester hours and 2700 clock hours, which includes the general education courses of fifteen (15) semester hours.
Duration
We offer open enrollment within our paralegal programs, thus you may register at any time. Completion of the Paralegal Associate Degree program solely depends on the study schedule you set for yourself. We recommend that you maintain a consistent submission of lessons.The Paralegal Institute gives you up to 2 years to complete the Paralegal Associate Degree program. Although completion solely depends on the study schedule you set for yourself, we recommend that you maintain a consistent submission of lessons.
Once you, as the student, successfully complete the first eleven (11) courses outlined below, you will be eligible to sit for the National Association for Legal Assistants (NALA) Certification Exam.
Request information or Enroll in the Paralegal Associate Degree Program
CORE PROGRAM
- Paralegal Today
Paralegal SPECIALTIES
- Legal Research
- Legal Analysis and Writing
- Litigation and Trial Practice
- Business Organizations
- Domestic Relations
- Criminal law
- Real property
- Trusts, Wills and Estate Administration
- Contracts
- Torts: Personal Injury Litigation
- Bankruptcy
- Social Security Disability
- Administrative Law
- Environmental Law
REQUIRED COURSES
- English
- Interpersonal Communications
- Business Management
- Mathematics Essentials
- Psychology
PARALEGAL ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM TOTAL CREDITS: 60
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
| Paralegal Today | 3 Credit Hours |
| The course is the core of the paralegal program. Students will learn the past, present and future of the paralegal profession, including the paralegal defined, educational options, techniques for marketing skills and career opportunities. Instruction on ethics and professional responsibility, the organizational structure of the legal workplace and office culture and politics will prepare students for the challenges of today's paralegal. Students receive a formal introduction to law by examining sources of American law, the court system and alternative dispute resolution, substantive law in its various forms, as well as administrative law and government regulation. Legal procedures and advanced skills involving civil litigation and trial procedures, criminal law, conducting interviews and investigations, using primary and secondary sources to legal research, the emerging technology of computer assisted legal research, in addition to legal analysis and writing provide valuable insight and a solid foundation for the future legal assistant. | |
| Legal Research | 3 Credit Hours |
| This course is designed to teach the fundamentals of Legal Research. The student will learn research tools and techniques necessary to find the actual law, but also how to use the various secondary materials, which assist in the research process. Some of the topics covered are: Case Reporters, Digests, Codes, Annotated Codes, Annotated Reporters, Citators, Loose-leaf Services, Legal Encyclopedias, Treatises and Computerized Research Services. | |
| Legal Analysis and Writing | 3 Credit Hours |
| A requisite for the capable legal assistant is the ability to prepare professional legal documents. This comprehensive course provides the student with in-depth knowledge of the fundamentals of legal analysis and writing. Students will first examine an overview of the legal system, including analytic principles and the legal process. They will learn the specifics of legal analysis, including statutory analysis, case law and briefing, identifying and stating the issue, case application and counter analysis. Emphasis on application of these key principles in legal writing will allow students to prepare interoffice memorandums, court briefs and general legal correspondence. | |
| Litigation and Trial Practice | 3 Credit Hours |
| This course provides comprehensive coverage of the civil litigation practice for paralegals. It provides detailed information on the litigation process from the pre-suit investigation to the appeal. Special emphasis is made on the role of the lawyer and those responsibilities that may be delegated to the legal assistant. Attention is given to litigation principles, lawyer and client relationship and ethics, gathering evidence, deposition, preparation for a civil trial, structure of a civil trial, judgments, and appeals. | |
| Business Organizations | 3 Credit Hours |
| The "bread and butter" of many law firms comes from organizing small business entities and advising them of their duties and rights. When is partnership better than a corporation? What procedure is followed in setting up a corporation? What must be included in the articles of incorporation? How are corporate minutes drafted? These questions are important to most business in your community and your knowledge in this specialty will help you assist a lawyer in answering them for his clients. | |
| Domestic Relations | 3 Credit Hours |
| This course is designed for the student who is interested in working in the area of family law. The student will learn the legal principles and processes involved in the law of marriage, divorce, separation, support, custody and visitation, annulment and adoption. Common agreements, pleadings and other documents applicable to these topics are set forth. Also covered are the tax consequences of separation and divorce. | |
| Criminal Law | 3 Credit Hours |
| A great need for specialists in criminal law and procedures has been created by the rapidly expanding criminal justice system. Police departments, attorney generals, district attorneys and lawyers hire criminal law legal assistants. This course is designed to give an understanding of both the law and procedural aspects of criminal justice and to prepare you for an exciting career in criminal justice. | |
| Real Property | 3 Credit Hours |
| Real Estate law is one of the most exciting and lucrative aspects of the legal profession. There is a great demand for real estate specialists not only in law firms, but also in banks, title companies, real estate brokerages, and many other aspects of business. This area of law has unlimited opportunities for paralegals who are interested in becoming involved in the dynamic and important aspect of life. Nearly everyone owns real estate, yet very few people really understand the nature of real estate transactions. | |
| Trusts, Wills and Estate Administration | 3 Credit Hours |
| This area of specialty is ideal for legal assistants working with attorneys whose practice consists of some or all probate. This unit of study introduces the legal assistant to the essential requirements of wills, trusts, types of estates and estate taxes. It takes the student on a step-by-step process through all procedures involved in both formal and informal probate. Special emphasis is placed on the roles of various participants in the administration of a probate matter-the lawyer, the personal representative of the estate, the court and the legal assistant. A review of the responsibility that can be delegated to the legal assistant is included. Attention is given to training legal assistants in how to execute many of the probate forms necessary from the commencement through completion of the probate procedure. | |
| Contracts | 3 Credit Hours |
| Contracts are a part of almost every lawyer's practice: large or small firm, corporation or government agency. The student will be guided through the analysis of contracts, applicable law, formation (offer and acceptance) and the drafting of contracts. Enforceability, performance and breach, plaintiff and defendant remedies, and third party interests are also included. | |
| Torts: Personal Injury Litigation | 3 Credit Hours |
| This fascinating specialty will expose the student to the duties and responsibilities owed by the individuals to their fellow citizens. Torts deal with civil wrongs, and your studies will illustrate and explain the many different types of tort recoveries that are allowed by law. You will learn the elements required to prove each tort, and defenses which may be posed, and a step-by-step strategy for the preparation and settlement for each type of action. Whether your tort theory be based upon negligence, products liability, libel, slander or malpractice, you will be guided through the entire process of personal injury litigation. | |
| Bankruptcy | 3 Credit Hours |
| An important aspect of most law practices is bankruptcy law; it is a highly specialized area of practice which involves a great deal of work especially suited for paralegals. In recent years many significant changes have occurred in bankruptcy law which make it especially exciting, and a great opportunity for paralegals to grow professionally. | |
| Social Security Disability | 3 Credit Hours |
| This course, Social Security Disability and Legal Professional, will provide insight to the disability appeals process and complex administrative procedures that ultimately appear before a federal administrative law judge. This course will be a useful tool to help with understanding the process of disability adjudication, also known as the administrative hearing before a federal administrative law judge. The work herein is directed toward those who would serve as representatives, reaching out to others less fortunate, rendering a public service and exemplifying the highest of American ideals. This course is for those who stand in for the underdog, who call out to the ill and the infirm. It is a course for all those who may encounter the disability appeals process. | |
| Administrative Law | 3 Credit Hours |
| The continuing growth of administrative law and regulations make this course fundamental and essential to most law practices. The course covers the delegation of authority to agencies, legislation oversight, judicial review, disclosure of information, the administrative process, procedural due process, formal adjudication, rules and rulemaking, obtaining judicial review and more. | |
| Environmental Law | 3 Credit Hours |
| An increasing demand for understanding environmental law and policy issues exists today. From the history of environmental law, to the ethics and issues underlying policy making, this course provides an overview of the role other areas of law play in the development and implementation of these policies. Students will receive an introduction to law and the legal system including court structure and civil procedure. They will learn principles of American property law and examine common law theories and remedies for environmental harms and liabilities, as well as land use and regulation and constitutional issues in environmental regulation. Principles of administrative law including major statutes that affect rule making and major federal environmental laws passed in recent years will also be considered, in addition to the values and goals established by this area of special interest. | |
| English | 3 Credit Hours |
| This course is designed to develop your ability to write clearly. Emphasis is on effective writing and revising techniques including purpose, organization, and mechanics. Various modes and strategies of descriptive, narrative and illustrative essays are covered. The culminating assignment is a research paper. | |
| Interpersonal Communications | 3 Credit Hours |
| This course teaches the basics of communication principles and concepts. Topics include: Intercultural issues, conflict management, and communicating in groups and in public. | |
| Business Management | 3 Credit Hours |
| This course is designed to help the manager develop insight, sensitivity, and an improved understanding of people; assist organizational leaders in maintaining and improving the organizational climate; and assist present and future managers in understanding and improving motivations. | |
| Mathematics Essentials | 3 Credit Hours |
| This course is a basic review of Mathematical skills, including terminology, checking accounts, taxes, payroll, step-by-step approaches. This course will help you develop math skills used in personal and business applications. | |
| Psychology | 3 Credit Hours |
| Presents the theories and principles of modern psychology. You will learn about the different branches of psychology and the practical application of psychological tenets to functional behavior. | |
