Paralegal Studies, A.A.S.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Approved by the American Bar Association

Gwynne Hutton • (901) 333-4136

A paralegal, or legal assistant, is a professional who works under the supervision of an attorney and drafts legal documents, researches the law, organizes information, interviews clients and witnesses, and conducts factual investigations. The Paralegal Studies program is designed to provide the graduate with the necessary skills to pursue a challenging career as a paralegal. Students have the option of choosing one of four concentrations: real estate, corporate and banking, litigation, and general practice. Students must complete each paralegal (LEGL) course with a “C” or better. Note: Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.

First Semester: 15 Credits

Second Semester: 15 Credits

LEGL 1045 Legal Research
LEGL 1050 Family Law
LEGL 1080 Law Office Management
Humanities/Fine Arts 3 Credit Hour(s) (Gen. Ed.) ¹
ENGL 1020 English Composition II (Gen. Ed.)

Third Semester: 15 Credits

LEGL 2030 Courts and Procedures I
LEGL 2040 Legal Writing
LEGL Concentration Course or Elective 3 Credit Hour(s) ²
SPCH 1010 Fundamentals of Speech Communication (Gen. Ed.)
Social/Behavioral Sciences 3 Credit Hour(s) (Gen. Ed.) ¹

Fourth Semester: 15 Credits

LEGL 2035 Courts and Procedures II
LEGL 2045 Legal Internship ³
LEGL Concentration Course or Elective 3 Credit Hour(s) ²
LEGL Concentration Course or Elective3 Credit Hour(s) ²
LEGL 2100 Computer Research and Legal Software

Total Program Credits: 60

Note: This program articulates to the University College at the University of Memphis toward a Bachelor of Professional Studies degree in Paralegal Services.

¹ Review General Education pages and/or consult advisor for correct selection.

² Review concentrations for choices.

³ An average GPA of 3.0 in all LEGL-designated courses is required for continued enrollment.

Limitation on Legal Specialty Courses Transferable to the Paralegal Studies Program

The maximum number of credit hours of legal specialty courses a student may transfer to the Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Studies is nine (9) credit hours. The legal specialty credit hours to be transferred must have been earned from a fully accredited institution of higher learning and must be approved by the program coordinator or a qualified full-time faculty member of the Paralegal Studies program to ensure that the credit can be classified as legal specialty and is comparable to courses offered within the program. The Paralegal Studies program does not award legal specialty credit by examination.

Paralegal Studies – Concentrations

Real Estate Concentration

Students who choose the real estate concentration of the Paralegal Studies program will be required to take three (3) courses to complete their concentration requirements:

LEGL 1060 Real Estate Law
One other LEGL elective

Any one of the following:

Corporate and Banking Concentration

Students who choose the corporate and banking concentration of the Paralegal Studies program will be required to take three (3) courses to complete their concentration requirements:

LEGL 2020 Corporate Law
One other LEGL elective

Any one of the following:

Litigation Concentration

Students who choose the litigation concentration of the Paralegal Studies program will be required to take three (3) courses to complete their concentration requirements:

LEGL 1070 Torts
One other LEGL elective

Any one of the following:

General Practice Concentration

Students who choose the general practice concentration of the Paralegal Studies program will be required to take three (3) of the following courses to complete their concentration requirements.

Note:

Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.