Paralegal Studies

Paralegal Studies

Degree(s):

Certificate(s):

Degrees and certificates in paralegal studies are available for students wishing to pursue a professional career as a paralegal/legal assistant. The goal of the program is to prepare students to perform effectively in a variety of legal settings and to adapt readily to changes in the legal environment. The program offers a two-year associate of applied science degree and a one-year certificate in paralegal studies.

Exciting and fulfilling careers can be found in both the public and private sectors of legal practice for graduates holding paralegal degrees and certificates. Paralegals are trained to assist attorneys in such legal services as drafting legal documents, conducting legal research and factual investigations, and interviewing clients and witnesses. Paralegals must work under the direct supervision of a lawyer. The program offers a faculty of experienced paralegal professionals and attorneys, and an extensive law library with Westlaw Computer Assisted Legal Research available on campus. Lexis/Nexis computer research is also available online with computer access to the library website.

For students enrolled fulltime the AAS degree may be earned in two years, and the certificate in one year. For those attending on a part-time basis time for completion will be longer. The general education core will transfer to a variety of colleges and universities. Transferred legal specialty courses will be approved as course substitutions as appropriate by the program director only. All students must take at least 12 semester credits of legal specialty courses in the traditional classroom setting. Contact a counselor or paralegal studies faculty member at North Harris College for more information.


PARALEGAL STUDIES
Associate of applied science degree, Tech Prep
(degree offered at North Harris College)
FIRST YEAR
First Semester
Course Number Title Credit
BUSI 2301 Business Law 3
MATH 1332 Math for Liberal Arts 3
ENGL 1301 Composition and Rhetoric I 3
ITSC 1401 Introduction to Computers 4
LGLA 1307 Intro to Law & Legal Professions 3
SEMESTER TOTAL 16-17
Second Semester
Course Number Title Credit
ACNT 1303 Introduction to Accounting 3
Elective2   Humanities/Fine Arts 3
Elective3   General Education 3
GOVT 2302 American Government II 3
LGLA 1303 Legal Research 3
SEMESTER TOTAL 15
SECOND YEAR
First Semester
Course Number Title Credit
KINE   Physical Activity 1
LGLA 1219 Legal Ethics & Prof. Responsibility 2
LGLA 1345 Civil Litigation 3
LGLA 2370 Rules of Civil Procedure 3
LGLA 2303 Torts and Personal Injury Law 3
ITSW 1301 Intro to Word Processing 3
SEMESTER TOTAL 15
Second Semester
Course Number Title Credit
LGLA 2305 Interviewing & Investigations 3
LGLA1 2331 Adv. Legal Research Writing 3
LGLA4   Elective 3
LGLA 2388 Internship Paralegal/Legal Assist. OR 3
LGLA4   Elective  
SPCH 1315 Public Speaking 3
SEMESTER TOTAL 15
TOTAL Credit Hours for AAS Degree 61-62
1 Capstone course.
2 Humanities course requirement must be selected from this list: ENGL 2332, 2333, HIST 2321, 2322, HUMA 1301, 1302, PHIL 1304, FREN 2311, 2312, GERM 2311, 2312, SPAN 2311, 2312. These courses also meet the Multicultural requirement.
3 Select from general education requirements
4 LGLA 1323, 1341, 1343, 1349, 1353, 1355, 1359, 1371, 2301, 2309, 2311, 2313, 2315

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PARALEGAL STUDIES CERTIFICATE
(certificate offered at North Harris College)
Admission to this program is limited to students who have already earned an associate or a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. Students without a prior degree who wish to pursue Paralegal Studies must matriculate under the AAS.
FIRST YEAR
First Semester
Course Number Title Credit
ITSW 1301 Intro to Word Processing OR 3-4
ITSC 1401 Introduction to Computers  
LGLA 1219 Legal Ethics & Prof. Responsibility 2
LGLA 1303 Legal Research 3
LGLA 1307 Intro to Law & Legal Professions 3
LGLA 2303 Torts and Personal Injury Law 3
LGLA 2370 Rules of Civil Procedure 3
SEMESTER TOTAL 17-18
Second Semester
Course Number Title Credit
ACNT 1303 Introduction to Accounting 3
LGLA 1345 Civil Litigation 3
LGLA 2305 Interviewing & Investigations 3
LGLA2 2331 Adv. Legal Research Writing 3
LGLA1   Elective 3
LGLA 2388 Internship Paralegal/Legal Assist. OR 3
LGLA1   Elective  
SEMESTER TOTAL 18
TOTAL Credit Hours for
Paralegal Studies Certificate
35-36
1 LGLA 1323, 1341, 1343, 1349, 1353, 1355, 1359, 1371, 2301, 2309, 2311, 2313, 2315
2 Capstone course

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North Harris College - A North Harris Montgomery Community College
2700 W.W. Thorne Drive
Houston TX 77073-3499
Phone 281.618.5400