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 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

LEGL 1316 Introduction to Legal Drafting and Legal Software
ENGL 1010 English Composition I (Gen. Ed.)
LEGL 1300 Intro to Paralegal Studies & Ethics
LEGL 1301 Legal Ethics and Professionalism
Math/Natural Sciences (Gen.Ed.)¹

Second Semester: 15 Credits

LEGL 1320 Legal Research
LEGL 1340 Family Law
LEGL 1306 Law Practice Management
Humanities/Fine Arts 3 Credit Hour(s) (Gen.Ed.)¹
ENGL 1020 English Composition II (Gen. Ed.)

Third Semester: 15 Credits

LEGL 2380 Civil Litigation Skills I
LEGL 1350 Torts
LEGL 1330 Legal Writing
SPCH 1010 Fundamentals of Speech Communication (Gen. Ed.)
Social/Behavioral Sciences 3 Credit Hour(s) (Gen. Ed.) ¹

Fourth Semester: 15 Credits

LEGL 2385 Civil Litigation Skills II
LEGL 2390 Legal Internship
LEGL Elective 3 Credit Hour(s) ²
LEGL Elective 3 Credit Hour(s) ²
LEGL 2370 eDiscovery

Total Program Credits: 60

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

² Review common course library 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 or portfolio.

Paralegal Studies students are required to take at least ten semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through traditional classroom instructions.

Common Course Library

Students must successfully complete two courses from the Common Course Library to satisfy their degree requirements.

LEGL 1335 Constitutional Law
LEGL 1342 Interview and Investigation
LEGL 1353 Juvenile Law
LEGL 1360 Criminal Law
LEGL 1370 Trusts & Estates
LEGL 2305 Law and Medicine
LEGL 2310 Corporate Law
LEGL 2320 Employment Law
LEGL 2325 Alternative Dispute Resolution
LEGL 2330 Contract Law
LEGL 2340 Property Law
LEGL 2350 Bankruptcy and Creditor Rights
LEGL 2355 Immigration Law
LEGL 2360 Legal Evidence
LEGL 2365 Intellectual Property

For additional program information, please vist the Paralegal Studies website at www.southwest.tn.edu/paralegal .

Note:

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