Paralegal Studies

Associate in Applied Science*
(An Associate in Science degree is also offered in Paralegal Studies.)

Offers the student a wide range of courses that provide legal training so the student can assume paralegal responsibilities under the supervision of an attorney. Designed to meet both the professional and educational needs of the student, the A.A.S. degree is suggested for those students who desire to enter the paralegal profession upon earning this degree. The program provides general education courses and paralegal introductory courses, as well as courses giving specific skills in various areas, including, but not limited to, legal research and writing, fact investigation, client contact, document preparation, litigation preparation including tools of discovery, computer literacy, real estate transactions, family law issues, torts and personal injury issues, and ethics.

All students are required to work in the field through a three-credit cooperative education course, which is taken after all required program paralegal courses are satisfactorily completed. Students working in the paralegal field who wish to increase their proficiency or enhance their career opportunities will find this program valuable. The purpose of this program is for training students to become paralegals and is not intended to be a program for training lawyers or legal administrators. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.

The program has been approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) and is a member of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAPE). This degree can be earned on a part-time basis.

You can also view the mission, goals and objectives of the program.

For further information, including specific questions concerning sequencing, contact the program coordinator, Marilyn Malerba Keiner, Esq., (609) 343-4941 or e-mail keiner@atlantic.edu.

Courses Credits
   
General Education Courses  
When a general education course is not specified, refer to the list of courses approved for this degree.
Composition I ENGL101
3
Composition II ENGL102
3
Choose one: Heritage of the Western World I HIST101 or Heritage of the Western World II HIST102 or
Introduction to Arts and Humanities HUMT200
3-4
Choose two Social Science courses
6
Laboratory science course
4
Concepts of Physical Fitness HPED150
1
TOTAL
20-21
 
Program Courses
Introduction to Computers CISM125
3
Introduction to Law and Litigation LEGL110
3
Legal Research and Writing LEGL140
4
Legal Ethics & Professional Responsibility LEGL150
1
Bankruptcy Law and Practice LEGL200
3
Administrative Law LEGL203
3
Trial Advocacy LEGL212
3
Litigation Assistant Procedures LEGL246
3
Family Law LEGL248
3
Wills and Estates LEGL249
3
Torts/Personal Injury Litigation LEGL250
3
Real Estate Transactions LEGL251
3
Word Processing I OSTM141
3
Choose one from the following:
Business Law I BUSN210
Public Speaking COMM120
or a course approved by the paralegal coordinator
3
Cooperative Education LEGL280
3
TOTAL
44
   
TOTAL REQUIRED FOR DEGREE:
64-65
Effective Fall 2006 (LEGA)  


To meet minimum graduation requirements in all programs, students must pass the mathematics portion of the Placement Test or complete MATH074 or MATH080 with a grade of C or better.

*When pursuing this degree, the student may take any liberal arts course with limitations in the following areas:
ARTS 103, 105, 108 or 109
DANCE - No dance courses
MUSIC - 100 only