Paralegal
Two-YearDiploma...…………..………….…73
Credits
A.A.S. Degree………………..…........…..89-91
Credits
•Program Overview
While lawyers assume ultimate responsibility for legal work, they often delegate many of their tasks to paralegals. The paralegal’s duties include composing letters, processing legal documents, performing accounting procedures, and other basic office duties. Specific goals in this area of study include the understanding of legal terminology, civil litigation, basic research and writings, prioritization, the use of legal references, and effective application of human relation skills.
•Purpose
The purpose of the Paralegal program is to provide educational opportunities to individuals that will enable them to obtain the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to succeed in the area of paralegal services.
The diploma program is intended to produce graduates who are prepared for entry-level employment as paralegal professionals who assist attorneys in the research, investigation, document preparation, and writing responsibilities in legal offices, and banking, insurance, engineering, medical, and personnel functions.
The Associate of Applied Science Degree program is for those individuals who seek paralegal technical training and additional academic preparation for advancement within the area of paralegal services.
•Career Opportunities
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, paralegals are projected to rank among the fastest-growing occupations in the economy through 2008. Private law firms will continue to be the largest employers of paralegals, but a growing array of other organizations, such as corporate legal departments, insurance companies, real estate and title insurance firms, and banks, will also continue to hire paralegals.
Career opportunities for paralegals will expand in the public sector as well. Community legal service programs providing assistance to the poor, aged, minorities, and middle-income families will employ additional paralegals to minimize expenses and serve the most people. Federal, state, and local government agencies, consumer organizations, and the courts should also continue to hire paralegals in increasing numbers.
Paralegal Diploma
Program Requirements:
Fall Semester ..............................................Credit Hours
ADM 101 Basic Document Processing (or)
ADM 105 Intermediate Document Processing (or)
PAR 151 Legal Document Processing ...................3
PAR 111 American Law/Legal System ..................3
PAR 113 Legal Writing I .............................................3
PAR 120 Legal Practice Management ...................3
PAR 125 Introduction to Paralegal Studies ..........3
PAR 131 Microcomputer Applications for
the Legal Office I .........................................................3
Total for Fall Semester: ..........................................18
Spring Semester
ADM 101 Basic Document Processing (or)
ADM 105 Intermediate Document Processing (or)
PAR 151 Legal Document Processing .................3
PAR 162 Criminal Law and Procedure .................3
PAR 170 Microcomputer Applications for
the Legal Office II .......................................................3
PAR 179 Business Organizations .........................3
PAR 185 Introduction to Criminal Justice ...........3
PAR 192 Professional Development (or)
PAR 195 Legal Terminology/Transcription .........3
Total for Spring Semester: ...................................18
Total for First Year: .................................................36
Fall Semester
PAR 205 Litigation and Trial Practice ..................3
PAR 212 Legal Writing II ..........................................3
PAR 215 Wills, Trusts, and Estates ......................3
PAR 220 Family Law .................................................3
PAR 230 Legal Ethics ...............................................3
PAR 241 Criminal Law and the Constitution .......3
Total for Fall Semester: .........................................18
Spring Semester
PAR 251 Legal Research .........................................3
PAR 257 Civil Litigation II ..........................................3
PAR 271 Real Estate Law ........................................2
PAR 282 Alternative Dispute Resolution ..............3
PAR 287 Contract Law .............................................3
PAR 291 Tort Law ......................................................3
PAR 292 Career Development ................................2
Total for Spring Semester: ...................................19
Total for Second Year ............................................37
Elective:
PAR 295 Occupational Work Experience
Total number of required technical
education credit hours (Two-Year Diploma).....73
General Education Requirements—A.A.S. Degree
Candidates for an Associate of Applied Science degree at Northeast Kansas Technical College must earn a minimum of 16 credit hours from Highland Community College or Benedictine College (or another accredited institution of higher education) in specific subject areas. Listed below is the schedule of required courses:
Course Titles/ Credit Hours Required
Communications……………………………………..6
•Composition (3)
•Business Communications
•College English *
•Public Speaking * (3)
•Interpersonal Communications
•Other
Mathematics……………………..……………………3
•Technical Math I or II
•Business Math
•College Algebra *
•Other
Social/Behavioral Sciences ………………………..3
•Skills for Interpersonal Relations
•General Psychology *
•Other
Natural or Applied Sciences …………………….1-3
•Applied Physics
•Computer (not available for Computer majors)
•Other
Humanities ……………………………………………3
•Ethics in the Workplace
•Other courses from the following
disciplines: Art, Music, or History *
TOTAL………………………………..…………...16-18
Any course listed with an * indicates that students transferring
to a Baccalaureate Degree program are strongly recommended to enroll in
this course. Students who know where they intend to transfer are responsible
to ensure the courses taken will in fact transfer to the Bachelor's degree
granting institution.
Total Program Requirements—A.A.S. Degree:
Total number of technical
education credit hours………………….………….73
Total number of required
general education credit hours………………..16-18
Total number of credit hours required
for A.A.S. Degree…………………..…………...89-91
