There are two options, pre-law and general, in the Paralegal Studies program. The only difference between pre-law and general paralegal will be in support courses taken.The program has been a successful major for a variety of careers and for preparation for law school. Paralegal majors planning on continuing their education in law school will have a formal pre-law curriculum to follow. Pre-law students will take the same paralegal courses as General Paralegal. They will be taking Legal Writing, Research & Writing I & II, Civil Procedure, Estates and Trusts, Legal Forms of Business Organizations, Family Law, Torts, Bankruptcy & Creditor’s Rights, Introduction to Law, Advanced Paralegalism, and Technology in the Law Office. Students following the pre-law specialization curriculum will be required to take nine (9 ) additional upper level liberal arts hours that will help with their writing and analytical skills. They will also be given a choice of a paralegal internship or taking another law related course to expand their knowledge in a certain area of law. See the curriculum below. The students who plan to go to law school would be encouraged to take as many writing courses as possible along with more theory courses. The traditional paralegal major is required to have more of a technical background so they are required to complete additional computer courses and business courses. A minor in paralegal studies is offered and requires 15 semester hours which must include Paralegal Studies 300a, 300b, and 305. The remaining six hours should be chosen from among Paralegal Studies 310, 315, 320, 325, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, or 405. The paralegal minor is not intended to prepare a student for a career as a paralegal. The minor is not ABA-approved.
Bachelor of Science Degree, College of Liberal Arts – Paralegal Studies - General
University Core Curriculum............................................................................................................ 41 College of Liberal Arts Academic Requirements (See Chapter 4).......................................…........ 8 Requirements for Major in Paralegal Studies for Legal Assistants…………………........…………48/49 Paralegal Courses......................................................................................................34 PARL 300a,b, 310, 320, 330, 350, 360, 370, 380, 400 ...................28 PARL 305 or Political Science 330 (general law)......................... 3 PARL 340, Internship ………………………..................................3 Students who take the internship will be required to work ten hours a week for one semester for each three hours of credit. A student may earn 12 hours of internship credit, but not more than three will count toward the major, Administration related courses.............................................................................14/15 Introduction to computers course......................................................3 ACCT 210 or approved substitute..................................................2/3 Approved Business/Computer Courses …………………………. 9
Electives .............................................................................................................................................22/23 Total ................................................................................................................................................... 120
Bachelor of Science Degree, College of Liberal Arts – Paralegal Studies – Pre-law SpecializationParalegal Studies majors preparing for law school must meet the basic requirements for the general paralegal major. Students opting for the pre-law specialization will be given the choice whether to take an internship or an additional 3 hours of law related courses. Students will also take 9 additional 300-400 level liberal arts hours instead of the business/computer courses required under the general paralegal major. University Core Curriculum............................................................................................................ 41 College of Liberal Arts Academic Requirements (See Chapter 4).......................................…........ 8 Requirements for Major in Paralegal Studies for Legal Assistants……………………….…............48/49 Paralegal Courses.........................................................................................…… 34 PARL 300a,b, 310, 320, 330, 350, 360, 370, 380, 400 ............. 28 PARL 305 or .Political Science 330 (general law) ...............…. 3 Internship or other approved law-related courses................... 3 Students who take the internship will be required to work ten hours a week for one semester for each three hours of credit. A student may earn 12 hours of internship credit, but not more than three will count toward the major. Administration related courses.............................................................................5/6 Introduction to computers course...................................................3 ACCT 210 or approved substitute..............................................2/3 Liberal Arts Courses………………………………………………………. . . . . .9 These hours must be 300-400 level courses. Core curriculum courses at the 300-level may be used. A minor in another Liberal Arts discipline can be credited for these hours. Electives .......................................................................................................................................... 23/24 Total ................................................................................................................................................. 120
Paralegal Course Descriptions
300A-3 Legal Analysis, Research and Writing I. After examining the litigation process and the structure of the federal and state court systems, students will be introduced to case and statutory analysis and to an understanding of the role of paralegals in the litigation process. They will learn how to analyze and synthesize written opinions and will complete several writing projects. This course meets CoLA Writing-Across-the-Curriculum requirement.
300B- Legal Analysis Research Writing II. Students will continue to develop their analytical skills and will learn how to conduct effective legal research. Students will use the results of their research in connection with several additional writing projects, including memoranda of law and appellate briefs. Employment opportunities for paralegals and their professional responsibilities will be stressed though out the course. This course meets the CoLA Writing-Across-the- Curriculum requirement. Prerequisite: 300a with a grade of C or higher.
305-3 Introduction to Law. This course will provide a basic background of the United States legal process. It will provide an introduction to civil and criminal processes, legal terminology, a history of common law, and cover various areas of substantive law. Ethics, regulations, and professional responsibilities involved in the legal profession will be discussed, along with the basic legal concepts and legal analysis. Students will learn to read and brief legal cases.
310-3 Civil Procedure. Students will examine the lawyers’ and paralegals’ roles in handling civil cases, and the means by which the objectives of litigation may be achieved. Strategy and mechanics of civil procedure will be explored in depth, and students will be required to prepare a complaint, discovery requests, and initial appellate documents.
320-3 Estates and Trusts. Students will study the more common forms of wills and trusts and the fundamental principles of law applicable to each; the course will analyze the administration of estates under the Illinois Probate Act.
325-3 Basic Contract Law. This course will introduce students to basic principles of contract law and
330-3 Legal Forms of Business Organizations. Includes a review of the lawyer’s role in the formation of business entities, including sole proprietorship, partnerships, and corporations, with a survey of the fundamental principles of law applicable to each and the preparation of documents necessary to the organization and operation of each. The student will be prepared to draft articles of incorporation and their legal documents relevant to the role of a paralegal in a modern law office.
340-1 to 12 Internship in Paralegal Studies. Supervised on-the-job training and experience in public or private offices typically employing paralegals. Student must work ten hours per week for fifteen weeks for each three hours of credit. Only three hours of internship credit applicable to major requirements. Prerequisite: completion of 300a and b with a grade no lower than a B and consent of coordinator of paralegal studies program.
350-3 Family Law. This course is a review of the law as it relates to the various aspects of domestic relations including marriage, divorce and separation, alimony, child custody and support, taxes, and Illegitimacy and adoption.
360-3 Torts. This course will provide an introduction to the broad area of civil wrongs and their appropriate remedies. Tort law principles in the traditional areas of intentional torts, negligence, absolute liability, product liability, nuisance and commonly employed defenses.
370-3 Bankruptcy and Creditor’s Rights. This course will provide an introduction to bankruptcy and the debtor- creditor relationship. The main purpose of this course is to give a basic understanding of the laws that apply to debtors and creditors, as a foundation to unraveling the intricacies of the bankruptcy process.
380-1 Technology in the Law Office. This course will introduce the paralegal student to various law office technology, such as case management programs, database development, and billing. Topics and hours will vary, and will be announced in advance. Prerequisite: consent of director or instructor.
405-3 Advanced Internship. This course has two components. The first is in class and will assist students in preparing for their careers, including investigating potential employers, job interviews, how to perform their anticipated employment functions. Skills training will include interviewing, use of computers in the office, administration, ethics, and professionalism. The class will coordinate with the internship component, supervised on-the-job training and experience in public or private offices. Students must complete 150 hours for each 3 hours of credit for the internship component. Only 4 credit hours applicable to major requirements. Prerequisites: Completion of PARL 300a and b with a grade no lower than a “C” and consent of the paralegal studies program coordinator. Lab fee: $20.00. Not for graduate credit.
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