Overview of the Program
The Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Studies is sixty-nine (69) credit hours. The curriculum provides learning opportunities that develop academic, technical, and professional skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The knowledge and skills emphasized in this program include ethical obligations; research in state and federal law; legal correspondence preparation; family law matters; basic concepts of real property law; criminal law and procedure; civil litigation; tort law; substantive contract law; wills; trusts; bankruptcy/debtor-creditor relations; administrative law; legal and policy issues in health and probate.
Purpose: To prepare program graduates for gainful employment opportunities in paralegal services while working under the supervision of experienced attorneys in the public/private sector. Graduates will employ knowledge, skills, values, ethics, and attitudes indicative of integrity, diversity, and equity while providing competent-quality services for clients, attorneys, and the community.
Goal: Provide optimal training and quality instruction for students to secure gainful employment in the paralegal profession.
Objectives:
-Develop oral and written communication skills to effectively work in a professional environment -Construct and format legal documents for a wide range of legal processes -Apply ethical principles governing conduct in a legal environment -Demonstrate analytical, organizational, and critical thinking skills
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to produce legal documents.
2. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to conduct legal research.
3. Upon completion of the program, students will be able compose a legal argument based on factual information using appropriate legal terminology.
4. Upon completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate employability skills learned in the paralegal program in a professional setting.
*Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law* *students must take at least ten semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through traditional classroom instruction*
The Paralegal Studies program is not approved by the American Bar Association (ABA)
Paralegal Advisory Committee The membership of the advisory committee is representative of the community and employment market served by the program. It is composed primarily of persons in the legal/paralegal industry, and/or program graduates who positively impact the program.
The advisory committee provides insight into the trends affecting the workplace and assist in the evaluation of program effectiveness, job development, job placement, program promotion, practicum/internships, state standards compliance, program advocacy, and industrial support of programs. For further information on how to become an advisory board member, please call 706-649-1154.
Occupational Employment and Wages Source: U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes232011.htm 100% Job Placement
Financial Aid Available https://www.columbustech.edu/students/financial-aid-services/