NCCC College Catalog 2023-2024 
    
    Dec 09, 2023  
NCCC College Catalog 2023-2024

Paralegal, AAS


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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.

 

Program Pathway Sequence

Certificate pathway students must successfully complete (2.0 or better) all courses identified with an “+”.
For More Information, Contact: Melissa Dugan 620-432-0452 mdugan@neosho.edu, Advising Staff, 620-432-0311 advising@neosho.edu
Paralegal AAS Prerequisites Requirements
CURR 100 First Year Seminar 1 cr hrs  
ENGL 101 English Composition I 3 cr hrs  
CSIS 100 Computer Concepts & Applications 3 cr hrs  
COMM 207 Fundamentals Of Speech 3 cr hrs  
SOSC 101 American Government 3 cr hrs  
PLGL 100 The Paralegal in the Legal System 3 cr hrs  +
Total Credit Hours: 16

*Apply for Program Acceptance*Paralegal Program Admission Information 

Semester I Semester II
ENGL 289 English Composition II 3 cr hrs   PSYC 155 General Psychology 3 cr hrs  
SOSC 100 Introduction To Sociology 3 cr hrs   PLGL 120 Paralegal: Real Property Law 3 cr hrs  [online]
PLGL 105 Paralegal: Civil Procedure I 3 cr hrs  [8wks] [virtual hybrid] + PLGL 125 Paralegal: Legal Research & Writing 3 cr hrs  [8wks] [virtual hybrid] +
PLGL 110 Paralegal: Civil Procedure II 3 cr hrs  [8wks] [virtual hybrid] + PLGL 130 PA: Adv Legal Research & Writing 3 cr hrs  [8wks] [online] +
PLGL 115 Paralegal: Contracts 3 cr hrs  [online] + PLGL 135 Paralegal: Family Law 3 cr hrs  [virtual hybrid] +
Total Credit Hours: 15 Total Credit Hours: 15

 

Semester III Semester IV
PLGL 210 PA: Ethics, Interviewing, & Invest 3 cr hrs  [8wks] [virtual hybrid] +       PLGL 250 Paralegal: Internship 3 cr hrs  +
PLGL 215 Paralegal: Criminal Law 3 cr hrs  [8wks] [virtual hybrid] +  
PLGL 220 Paralegal: Wills, Estates, & Trusts 3 cr hrs  [online]  
PLGL 225 Paralegal: Labor and Employment Law 3 cr hrs  [8wks] [online]  
PLGL 230 Paralegal: Business Organizations 3 cr hrs  [8wks] [online]  
Total Credit Hours: 15 Total Credit Hours: 3
Total Program Path Credits for Associate of Applied Science Degree: 65

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

  1. +Describe an overview of the legal system, the role of the paralegal, and other participants in the legal system.
  2. +Understand and employ ethical responsibilities of the paralegal.
  3. +Demonstrate effective and persuasive written legal communication skills.
  4. +Employ effective legal research skills including traditional methods and technology-supported research.
  5. +Exhibit effective legal analysis skills.
  6. +Apply critical thinking skills in paralegal work assignments.
  7. +Prepare accurate legal documents including memoranda, motions, pleadings, and other related court documents.
  8. +Differentiate between authorized and unauthorized practices of law.
  9. +Understand contract concepts and accurately draft a variety of contract documents.
  10. Prepare and complete real estate transactions.
  11. +Demonstrate appropriate interviewing and investigating skills.
  12. +Demonstrate employability skills.
  13. +Describe the substantive and procedural principles of family law.
  14. +Describe the substantive and procedural principles of civil law.
  15. +Describe the substantive and procedural principles of criminal law.
  16. Describe the formation, operation, and dissolution of multiple business organizations and prepare and complete a variety of documents relating thereto.
  17. Analyze labor and employment law and identify basic federal and state laws, requirements and resources.
  18. Draft wills, estates, and trusts.

Program outcomes identified with “+” apply to degree and certificate programs. Unmarked outcomes apply to the AAS degree only.

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