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This program prepares students for a successful career as a paralegal. Paralegals perform delegated legal work such as drafting documents, conducting legal research, interviewing and investigating and assisting attorney with a variety of tasks. According to the Kansas Occupational Projections 2016 - 2026 there is an expected growth of 19.9% in the paralegal field and a median wage of $40,035.
Students entering the program with an associate of arts, associate of science, or bachelor degree from an accredited college, or who desire only to obtain the certificate will take the Paralegal Certificate pathway. Students without a degree who desire a degree will be on the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal pathway.
Upon successful completion of the course requirements with a grade of a “C” or better in the paralegal certificate courses, students will be eligible to apply for one of two national examinations. Those examinations are:
- National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. exam to become a Certified Paralegal (CP), or
- NALS … the association for legal professionals’ exam to become a Professional Paralegal (PP) or Accredited Legal Professional (AL)) or a Certified Legal Professional (CLP).
Students will have the opportunity to become members of the Heartland Paralegal Association (HPA) which is a not-for-profit professional organization dedicated to the advancement of the paralegal profession.
General Education Courses
The Paralegal AAS degree program requires students to take English Composition I and II, Computer Concepts and Applications, American Government, General Psychology, Introduction to Sociology and Fundamentals of Speech. New students who have not already completed 15 credit hours or a similar course at another institution and desire to obtain a degree are required to take First Year Seminar.
Program Outcomes
- +Describe an overview of the legal system, the role of the paralegal, and other participants in the legal system.
- +Understand and employ ethical responsibilities of the paralegal.
- +Demonstrate effective and persuasive written legal communication skills.
- +Employ effective legal research skills including traditional methods and technology-supported research.
- +Exhibit effective legal analysis skills.
- +Apply critical thinking skills in paralegal work assignments.
- +Prepare accurate legal documents including memoranda, motions, pleadings, and other related court documents.
- +Differentiate between authorized and unauthorized practices of law.
- +Understand contract concepts and accurately draft a variety of contract documents.
- Prepare and complete real estate transactions.
- +Demonstrate appropriate interviewing and investigating skills.
- +Demonstrate employability skills.
- +Describe the substantive and procedural principles of family law.
- +Describe the substantive and procedural principles of civil law.
- +Describe the substantive and procedural principles of criminal law.
- Describe the formation, operation, and dissolution of multiple business organizations and prepare and complete a variety of documents relating thereto.
- Analyze labor and employment law and identify basic federal and state laws, requirements and resources.
- Draft wills, estates, and trusts.
Program outcomes identified with “+” apply to degree and certificate programs. Unmarked outcomes apply to the AAS degree only.
Certificate Pathway
Certificate pathway students must successfully complete (2.0 or better) all courses identified with an “+” above.
For More Information, Contact:
Melissa Dugan 620-432-0452
mdugan@neosho.edu
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