|
|
Paralegal Studies
Paralegals are trained specialists who, under the supervision of an attorney, perform a wide variety of legal tasks. These tasks may include legal research, law office management and preparation of legal documents. Only an attorney may provide legal services directly to the public. Students can earn the Associate in Applied Science which prepares graduates for employment in law offices, corporate legal departments, legal services corporations, state government offices, title companies and federal and state courts. Students who have already earned an A.A., A.S., A.A.S., B.A. or B.S. degree can earn the Certificate of Achievement. Students with one of these degrees plus three years of full-time paralegal work experience can earn the Technical Certificate.
Can students who major in Paralegal Studies transfer to a four-year college or university?
Many colleges and universities will apply the courses taken toward a bachelor’s degree.
Are there any requirements that must be satisfied before taking courses in the major?
Students must either have a high school diploma or have passed an equivalency examination. Algebra I is a prerequisite for all majors. Algebra I competency must be verified with a passing score on the College’s placement test.
How long will it take to complete this degree?
Students who do not need developmental coursework can complete the degree in two years or the certificate in three semesters. They can shorten the amount of time by taking courses in the summer and winter sessions.
What are the objectives of this program?
1. Provide a strong, flexible program for the quality education of the occupationally competent paralegal.
2. Provide a paralegal education program that leads to the opportunity for employment of its graduates by a wide range of employers.
3. Provide paralegals with a well-rounded, balanced education founded on a beneficial mix of general education, theory, and practical courses, stressing understanding and reasoning rather than rote learning of facts.
4. Support the general principle of ethical legal practice, professional responsibility and the prohibitions against the unauthorized practice of law by non-lawyers.
5. Provide an educational program that is responsive to the needs of the State of New Jersey and contributes to the advancement of legal professionals.
6. Provide a program that instills respect for the legal profession and its foundations, institutions, and quest for justice.
7. Maintain equality of opportunity in the educational program without discrimination or segregation on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin or sex. The program’s overall objective is to provide quality education for paralegals so that they might assist the legal profession in rendering more personal, economical services to a greater number of persons.
How are these objectives met?
1. Through flexible curriculum planning which stresses a balance among general education courses, law related courses, legal specialty courses, and electives.
2. Through continual assessment of the need for the program as evidenced by the legal profession’s response to regular surveys and the ability of the program to place graduates.
3. By keeping the enrollment of the program to a size that will ensure a good student-teacher ratio and give graduates a good chance for paralegal employment. This is determined in the same method as number 2 above.
4. By providing the program with a well qualified full-time director with the necessary time to devote to the extensive administrative duties of the position.
When students complete the program, what skills will they have?
1. Use the law library, including encyclopedias, reporter systems, digests, and practice manuals, including updating sources; utilize computer-assisted research including WESTLAW, reporter systems, statutes, administrative codes, updating sources and extended databases.
2. Understand and use rules governing courts and basic litigation procedures including telephone technique, client interviews, complaints, interrogatories, and motions.
3. Use forms and filing procedures relevant to typical legal proceedings.
4. Use forms and filing procedures in real and personal property transactions, including Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.
NOTE: For students matriculating in this program, degree credit will not ordinarily be given for any course designated PLS which was completed more than six years prior to completion of the degree program.
Questions?
Contact Professor Richard Ellison, Department Chair, or Professor Jean Volk, Assistant Chair, at (732) 906-2576.
Paralegal Studies
Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)Degree - PL.AASBelow are required courses and recommended course groupings and sequences for program completion. Courses may have prerequisites and corequisite requirements. Check course descriptions for details. | | | Courses | | Credits | Requisites/Comments | | Semester I | | | | | BUS 107 | Computer Applications for Business | 3 | | | ENG 121 | English Composition I | 3 | A passing score on the writing portion of the College’s Placement Test or a grade of ´C´ or better in ENG 010; completion of RDG 009 with a ´C´ or better or a score on the reading portion of the College’s Placement Test that exempts the students from RDG 009 | | PLS 100 | INTRODUCTION TO THE PARALEGAL PROFESSION | 2 | | | PLS 101 | LEGAL RESEARCH | 3 | Prerequisites or corequisites: ENG 121 and PLS 100 | | PLS 113 | LEGAL WRITING | 2 | Prerequisites or corequisites: ENG 121, PLS 100 and PLS 101 | | ____ ____ | General Education Social Science Elective(GE SS) | 3 | | | Semester II | | | | | PLS 121 | ADVANCED LEGAL RESEARCH | 2 | Prerequisites PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 113 and BUS 107 | ENG 122
OR
ENG 125 | English Composition II
English Composition II :
Writing About Literature | 3 | A grade of ´C´ or better in ENG 121 and a passing score on the reading portion of the College’s Placement Test or a grade of ´C´ or better in ENG 121 and a grade of ´C´ or better in RDG 011 | | PLS 104 | PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS | 4 | PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 113. Prerequiste or Corequisite PLS 121 | | PLS 110 | LITIGATION PROCEDURE | 4 | PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 113. Prerequiste or Corequisite PLS 121 | | PLS 111 | CONTRACTS & THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE | 3 | PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 113. Prerequiste or Corequisite PLS 121 . | | PLS 123-IS | ADVANCED LEGAL WRITNG | 2 | PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 113 | | Semester III | | | | | PLS 108 | TORTS | 3 | PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 113. Prerequiste or Corequisite PLS 121 | | PLS 112 | BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS AND GOVERNMENT REGULATION | 3 | PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 111, PLS 113 and PLS 121 | | ___ ___ | PARALEGAL ELECTIVES: one of the following is required.
PLS 105-FAMILY LAW
PLS 106-WILLS AND ESTATE
ADMINISTRATION
PLS 107-LAW OFFICE MANAGEMENT
PLS 109-CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE
PLS-208 PARALEGAL FIELD EXPERIENCE | 3
3
3
3
3
3 |
PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 113
Prerequisite or Corequisite: PLS 121
Prerequisite(s): PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 113
Prerequisite or Corequisite: PLS 121
Prerequisite(s): PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 113
Prerequisite or Corequisite: PLS 121
Prerequisite(s): PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 113
Prerequisite or Corequisite: PLS 121
Prerequisite(s): PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 110, PLS 113, PLS 121, and
PLS 104 or PLS 108 or PLS 109 and permission of the program director. | | SPE 121 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 | | | ___ ___ | Physical/Health Ed Elective | 1-3 | | | ___ ___ | Mathematics Elective | 3-4 | BUS 115 will satisfy the math requirements. Students considering transfer to a baccalaureate program should consult an academic advisor as to other math choices. | | Semester IV | | | | ECO 201
| Economics I
| 3
| A passing score on the algebra portion on the College Placement Test or MAT 013
| PLS 280
| SENIOR SEMINAR FOR PARALEGALS | 3 | PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 104, PLS 108, PLS 110, PLS 111, PLS 112, PLS 113, PLS 121.
Prerequisite or Corequisite: PLS 121 | | ___ ___ | PARALEGAL ELECTIVES: one of the following is required.
PLS 105-FAMILY LAW
PLS 106-WILLS AND ESTATE
ADMINISTRATION
PLS 107-LAW OFFICE MANAGEMENT
PLS 109-CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE
PLS-208 PARALEGAL FIELD EXPERIENCE | 3
3
3
3
3
3 |
PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 113
Prerequisite or Corequisite: PLS 121
Prerequisite(s): PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 113
Prerequisite or Corequisite: PLS 121
Prerequisite(s): PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 113
Prerequisite or Corequisite: PLS 121
Prerequisite(s): PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 113
Prerequisite or Corequisite: PLS 121
Prerequisite(s): PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 110, PLS 113, PLS 121, and
PLS 104 or PLS 108 or PLS 109 and permission of the program director. | | ____ ____ | General EducationHumanities Elective (GE HUM) | 3 | | | General EducationScience Elective (GE SCI) | 3-4 | | | Total Credits: | 65-69 | |
|
PARALEGAL STUDIES CERTIFICATE- PLC.CER
The Paralegal Studies Certificate is designed for the person who already has a college degree - Associates*, Bachelors or higher. The Program is approved by the American Bar Association and the College is a member of the American Association for Paralegal Education. | | | Courses | | Credits | Requisites/Comments | | Semester I | | | | | ENG 121 | English Composition I | 3 | A passing score on the writing portion of the College's Placement TEst or a grade of 'C' or better in ENG 010; completion of RDG 009 with a 'C' or better or a passing score on the reading portion of the College's Placement Test that exempts the students from RDG 009 | ENG 122
or
ENG 125 | English Composition II:
English Composition II:
Writing About Literature | 3 | A grade of 'C' or better in ENG 121 and a passing score on the reading portion of the College's Placement Test or a grade of 'C' or better in ENG 121 and a grade of 'C' or better in RDG 011 | | PLS 100 | INTRODUCTION TO THE PARALEGAL PROFESSION | 2 | | | PLS 101 | LEGAL RESEARCH | 3 | Prerequisites or corequisites: ENG 121(or waiver)and PLS 100 | | PLS 113 | LEGAL WRITING | 2 | Prerequisites or corequisites: ENG 121(or waiver),PLS 100 and PLS 101 | | PLS104 | PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS | 4 | Prerequisites: PLS 100,PLS 101,
PLS 113.
Prerequiste or Corequisite:
PLS 121 and PLS 123-IS | | PLS 108 | TORTS | 3 | Prerequisites: PLS 100,PLS 101,
PLS 113.
Prerequiste or Corequisite:
PLS 121 and PLS 123-IS | | PLS 110 | LITIGATION PROCEDURE | 4 | Prerequisites: PLS 100,PLS 101,
PLS 113.
Prerequiste or Corequisite:
PLS 121 and PLS 123-IS | | PLS 121 | ADVANCED LEGAL RESEARCH | 2 | Prerequisites: PLS 100,PLS 101,
PLS 113. | | PLS 123-IS | ADVANCE LEGAL WRITNG | 2 | Prerequisites: PLS 100,PLS 101,
PLS 113. | | PLS___ | Elective (see below) | 3 | | | Total Credits: | 31** | | Electives: Select one of the folowing electives. (You may choose to take more than one elective.) | |
PLS 111-CONTRACT AND THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE
PLS 112- BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS AND
GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS
PLS 105-FAMILY LAW
PLS 106-WILLS AND ESTATE
ADMINISTRATION
PLS 107-LAW OFFICE MANAGEMENT
PLS 109-CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE
|
3
3
3
3
3
3
|
Prerequisites: PLS 100,PLS 101,
PLS 113.
Prerequiste or Corequisite:
PLS 121 and PLS 123-IS
Prerequisites: PLS 100,PLS 101,
PLS 113, PLS 111
Prerequiste or Corequisite:
PLS 121 and PLS 123-IS
Prerequisites: PLS 100,PLS 101,
PLS 113.
Prerequiste or Corequisite:
PLS 121 and PLS 123-IS
Prerequisites: PLS 100,PLS 101,
PLS 113.
Prerequiste or Corequisite:
PLS 121 and PLS 123-IS
Prerequisites: PLS 100,PLS 101,
PLS 113.
Prerequiste or Corequisite:
PLS 121 and PLS 123-IS
Prerequisites: PLS 100,PLS 101,
PLS 113.
Prerequiste or Corequisite:
PLS 121 and PLS 123-IS | * Holders of A.S. and A.A.S. degrees must show that they have taken 18 credits of general education
courses. Holder of A.A. degrees are presumed to have satisfied the general education requirement.
** For students who are granted transfer credits, total will be reduced
NOTE: Not allPLS courses are offered every semester, both day and evening. Please call the department chairperson at 732-906-2576 to discuss course offerings for future semesters
|
|
Paralegal Studies Certificate of Achievement -PLT.COA
TheParalegal Studies Certificate of Achievement is designed for the person who already has a college degree - Associates*, Bachelors or higher and three years full time (or part time equivalent) work experience as a paralegal. The Program is approved by the American Bar Association and the College is a member of the American Association for Paralegal Education.
* Holders of A.S. and A.A.S. degrees must show that they have taken 18 credits of general education courses. Holder of A.A. degrees are presumed to have satisfied the general education requirement. | | | Courses | | Credits | Requisites/Comments | | PLS 100 | INTRODUCTION TO THE PARALEGAL PROFESSION | 2 | | | PLS 101 | LEGAL RESEARCH | 3 | Prerequisites or corequisites: ENG 121 and PLS 100 | | PLS 113 | LEGAL WRITING | 2 | Prerequisites or corequisites: ENG 121, PLS 100 and PLS 101 | | PLS 123-IS | ADVANCE LEGAL WRITNG | 2 | PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 113 | | PLS 121 | ADVANCED LEGAL RESEARCH | 2
| PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 113. Prerequiste or Corequisite PLS 121 | | ELECTIVES: (see below)
| 6-8
| | | Total Credits | 17-19
| | | Electives: | Select two of the following electives.
(You may choose to take more than twoelectives.) | | |
|
PLS 104 PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS
PLS 105 FAMILY LAW
PLS 106 WILLS AND ESTATE ADMINISTRATION
PLS 107 LAW OFFICE MANAGEMENT
PLS 108 TORTS
PLS 109 CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE
PLS 110 LITIGATION PROCEDURE
PLS 111CONTRACTS & THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE
PLS 112 BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS AND GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS |
4
3
3
3
3
3
4
3
3 |
PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 113. Prerequiste or Corequisite PLS 121 and PLS 123-IS
PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 113
Prerequisite or Corequisite: PLS 121 and PLS 123-IS
PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 113. Prerequiste or Corequisite PLS 121 and PLS 123-IS
PLS 100, PLS 101, PL113.Prerequiste or Corequisite PLS 121 and PLS123-IS
PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 113. Prerequisite or Corequisite: PLS 121 PLS123-IS
PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 113. Prerequiste or Corequisite PLS 121 and PLS 123-IS
PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 113. Prerequisite or Corequisite PLS 121and PLS 123-IS
PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 113. Prerequiste or Corequisite PLS 121 and PLS 123-IS
PLS 100, PLS 101, PLS 111, PLS 113. Prerequiste or Corequisite PLS 121and PLS123-IS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
