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B.S. Paralegal - Minor

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Pursuing a minor can deepen your knowledge in a discipline related to your major or enable you to explore a field outside your major area of study and diversify your skills. Don't hesitate to speak with a faculty member in your program to determine which minor(s) can support your academic, professional, and personal goals.

The Paralegal Studies minor at the College of Law is designed to expose students to the most common areas of law encountered in a legal and business context. While not approved by the American Bar Association this minor is an enhancement for those students pursuing other law-related careers or business careers and who desire to understand the federal and state legal systems to broaden their legal knowledge and skills. This minor can be combined with any major and minor except the Paralegal Studies major and Paralegal Studies post-baccalaureate certificate.

Paralegal Studies Minor Requirements
(18 credits)

Legal Studies (LEGS) courses offered online require proctored exams at approved sites.

LEGS 1150 - Introduction to Law and the Legal Profession (3 credits)

Topics will include the structure and decisional processes of the American legal system, sources of law, methods of dispute resolution, the roles of the attorney and the legal assistant, legal analysis, interviewing techniques and ethics for legal assistants. This course is not required for those students who have taken LGST 2500. 

LEGS 2100 - Legal Research and Writing (3 credits)

Students will study primary and secondary sources of law, obtain legal research and writing skills, learn how to use a law library, and obtain computer-assisted legal research training. 

Select 12 credits from the following courses:

LEGS 3050 - Criminal Law and Procedure (3 credits)

This course covers the study of both substantive criminal law and criminal procedure for the paralegal student. Students will learn the elements of major crimes and defenses. Students also will examine the constitutional aspects of criminal procedure, including searches, seizures and arrests; interrogation; the pretrial process; trial; sentencing; and appeal. Prerequisite: LEGS 1150 or LGST 2500. 

LEGS 3260 - Real Estate Practice I (3 credits)

Topics will include interests in real property, contracts, deeds, mortgages and other encumbrances, mortgage foreclosures, title searches, title insurance, and leases. Students will prepare closing documents for a residential real estate transaction. Prerequisite: LEGS 1150 or LGST 2500 or MGT 2150.

LEGS 3300 - Torts and Civil Litigation (3 credits)

This course covers tort law, including such topics as intentional torts, negligence, strict liability, products liability, defamation, and defense to torts. Students also will examine the civil litigation process, including evidence, the rules of civil procedure, discovery, jury selection, and pre-trial work. Students will prepare pleadings and pre-trial discovery. Prerequisite: LEGS 1150 or LGST 2500. 

LEGS 3360 - Wills, Trusts, and Estates I (3 credits)

Topics will include intestacy, wills, trusts, living wills, will substitutes, probate, estate administration, and estate and gift taxes. Students will prepare wills and estate administration documents. Prerequisites: LEGS 1150 or LGST 2500.

LEGS 3400 - Business Relations and Organizations (3 credits)

Topics will include contracts (the essential elements, defenses to enforceability, third party beneficiaries, and assignments), the Uniform Commercial Code, sole proprietorships, general and limited partnerships, and corporations. Prerequisite: LEGS 1150 or LGST 2500.

LEGS 3550 - Family Law (3 credits)

Topics will include prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, marriage, dissolution, equitable distribution, alimony, shared parental responsibility, child support, property settlement agreements, adoption, and paternity and juvenile law. Prerequisite: LEGS 1150 or LGST 2500. 

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