Legal Studies
Faculty
K.Collinsworth, W. Green, D. Murphy
Individuals wishing to pursue law school can select from a variety of majors, although many pursue a major in Paralegal, History, Philosophy, or Government. Students who choose a major other than Paralegal Studies are strongly encouraged to consider the Legal Studies minor. The Legal Studies faculty, all of whom have law degrees, provide students interested in attending law school with advice pertaining to the Law School Aptitude Test (LSAT), law school admission procedures, and legal career opportunities.
Program Competencies
Students are expected to possess:
- Knowledge of local, state, and national governments with particular emphasis on the American court system and its procedures. Understanding of the role of attorneys and paralegals in the delivery of legal services.
- The ability to apply the basic principles of law within specialized areas.
- The ability to function within the context of the modern law office using up-to-date technologies to create legal forms, documents and exhibits, conduct legal research, and assist attorneys in the practice of law.
- The ability to recognize and value the varied nature of the human condition across individuals and culture groups through paralegal practice.
- The ability to analyze, recognize, investigate, and coherently summarize legal issues.
- The skills to use appropriate technology in a professional setting.
Assessment Procedures
Senior capstone project
Internship evaluations
Employment and graduate surveys
Bachelor of Arts
The paralegal profession is a fast-growing field in which paralegals perform a variety of essential legal tasks under the supervision of licensed lawyers. Some of the many tasks a paralegal may perform are client and witness interviewing, drafting of legal documents, researching points of law, litigation support, law office management, and representing clients before administrative agencies as allowed by law.
The B.A. in Paralegal Studies is designed to equip graduates with the appropriate applied and theoretical knowledge of law to successfully assist lawyers in providing legal services to clients. The major combines the advantages of a liberal arts education with the development of professional skills necessary to provide legal assistance to attorneys in law offices, corporations, and government agencies.
The Paralegal Studies Program has been approved by the American Bar Association for paralegal training.
Note: Paralegals are prohibited by law from engaging in the practice of law. Completion of this program or receipt of a B.A. in Paralegal Studies does not entitle one to practice law or render legal advice or services except as provided by law. See Kentucky Supreme Court Rule 3.700 and Kentucky Revised Statutes 524.130.
General Education Requirements |
48 |
See general education requirements for the University.
Paralegal Studies Major
* Accredited by the American Bar Association
Program Requirements
General Education Prerequisite
GOVT 141 — United States Government |
3 |
Required Courses
PLS 210 — Introduction to Paralegalism |
3 |
PLS 321 — Legal Research |
3 |
PLS 322 — Legal Writing |
3 |
PLS 325 — Civil Litigation for the Paralegal I |
3 |
PLS 326 — Civil Litigation for the Paralegal II |
3 |
PLS 332 — Property Law |
3 |
PLS 334 — Torts, Personal Injury Litigation and Insurance Law |
3 |
PLS 335 — Contracts and the Uniform Commercial Code |
3 |
PLS 340 — Criminal Law and Procedure |
3 |
PLS 490 — Paralegal Internship |
3 |
PLS 499C — Senior Paralegal Practice Seminar |
3 |
Required Total |
33 |
Elective Courses
Choose six semester hours from the following approved electives. At least three semester hours must be from courses with a PLS prefix.
GOVT 303 — Comparative Constitutional Law and Politics |
3 |
GOVT 321 — Constitutional Law: Govt Powers |
3 |
GOVT 322 — Courts and Civil Liberties |
3 |
GOVT 324 — Environmental Law and Policy |
3 |
PLS 333 — Family Law |
3 |
PLS 336 — Wills, Trusts, and Estates |
3 |
PLS 337 — Corporate Law |
3 |
PLS 360 — Paralegal Specialty Course |
3 |
PLS 476 — Special Problems in Paralegal Studies |
3 |
Elective total |
6 |
Total |
39 |