Paralegal Studies

Paralegal Studies 2008-2009
  

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. Only students already possessing either an Associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree may enter the certificate program.

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 Lone Star College-North Harris for more information.


PARALEGAL STUDIES
Associate of applied science degree, Tech Prep
(degree offered at Lone Star College-North Harris)
FIRST YEAR
First Semester
CourseNumberTitleCredit
BUSI2301Business Law3
MATH1332Math for Liberal Arts3
ENGL1301Composition and Rhetoric I3
ITSC1401Introduction to Computers 4
LGLA1307Intro to Law & Legal Professions3
SEMESTER TOTAL16
Second Semester
CourseNumberTitleCredit
ACNT1303Introduction to Accounting 3
Elective1 Humanities/Fine Arts3
Elective2 General Education3
GOVT2302American Government II3
LGLA1303Legal Research3
SEMESTER TOTAL15
SECOND YEAR
First Semester
CourseNumberTitleCredit
KINE Physical Activity1
LGLA1219Legal Ethics & Prof. Responsibility2
LGLA1345Civil Litigation3
LGLA2370Rules of Civil Procedure3
LGLA2303Torts and Personal Injury Law3
ITSW1301Intro to Word Processing3
SEMESTER TOTAL15
Second Semester
CourseNumberTitleCredit
LGLA2305Interviewing & Investigations3
LGLA32331Adv. Legal Research Writing3
LGLA4 Elective3
LGLA2388Internship Paralegal/Legal Assist. OR3
LGLA4 Elective 
SPCH1315Public Speaking3
SEMESTER TOTAL15
TOTAL Credit Hours for AAS Degree61

1 Humanities course requirement must be selected from this list: ENGL 2332, 2333, HUMA 1301, 1302, PHIL 1304, FREN 2311, 2312, GERM 2311, 2312, SPAN 2311, 2312. These courses also meet the multicultural  requirement.
2 Select from general education requirements
3 Capstone course
4 LGLA 1323, 1341, 1343, 1349, 1353, 1355, 1359, 1371, 2301, 2309, 2311, 2313, 2315

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PARALEGAL STUDIES ADVANCED TECHNICAL CERTIFICATE
(certificate offered at Lone Star College-North Harris)
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
CourseNumberTitleCredit
ITSW1301Intro to Word Processing OR3-4
ITSC1401Introduction to Computers 
LGLA1219Legal Ethics & Prof. Responsibility2
LGLA1303Legal Research3
LGLA1307Intro to Law & Legal Professions3
LGLA2303Torts and Personal Injury Law3
LGLA2370Rules of Civil Procedure3
SEMESTER TOTAL17-18
Second Semester
CourseNumberTitleCredit
ACNT1303Introduction to Accounting3
LGLA1345Civil Litigation3
LGLA2305Interviewing & Investigations3
LGLA22331Adv. Legal Research Writing3
LGLA1 Elective3
LGLA2388Internship Paralegal/Legal Assist. OR3
LGLA1 Elective 
SEMESTER TOTAL18
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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Lone Star College System
5000 Research Forest Drive
The Woodlands TX 77381-4356
Phone 832.813.6500