Paralegal Studies

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

Designed to offer the student a wide range of courses that provide legal training so that the student can assume paralegal responsibilities under the supervision of an attorney. This degree is for students interested in transferring to a four-year institution. If a student plans to transfer, transfer career counselors are available to answer questions concerning future plans.

The program provides general education courses and paralegal profession 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 more information, 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
Humanities course
3-4
Arts course--Choose one: ARTS103, ARTS105, ARTS108, ARTS109 or MUSC100
3
Social Science course
3
Mathematics course--Intermediate Algebra MATH119 or higher. Applications of Mathematics MATH121 is suggested.
3-5
Introduction to Computers CISM125
3
Laboratory science course
4
Concepts of Physical Fitness HPED150
1
Liberal Arts course(s) (Public Speaking COMM120 is recommended)*
4
TOTAL
30-33
 
Program Courses
Introduction to Law and Litigation LEGL110
3
Legal Research and Writing LEGL140
4
Legal Ethics & Professional Responsibility LEGL150
1
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
Cooperative Education LEGL280
3
Program Elective
Choose one: Bankruptcy Law and Practice LEGL200 or
Administrative Law LEGL203
3
TOTAL
35
   
TOTAL REQUIRED FOR DEGREE:
65-68


*For Liberal Arts course elective choices, refer to the Associate in Science General Education page in the college catalog. For Arts, the only choices are ARTS103, ARTS105, ARTS108 or ARTS109. Do not choose DANC courses.

NOTE:
Students transferring to Thomas Edison State College should take LEGL200 and LEGL203.


Effective Fall 2006 (LEGL)