PARALEGAL STUDIES

Associate of Applied Science Degree
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] [Second Semester] [Third Semester] [Fourth Semester]

First Semester
Course Number Course Title Credit
OFAD 1510 Microcomputer Office Applications
3
ENGL 1010 English Composition I (Gen. Ed.)
3
LEGL 1040 Introduction to Law
3
LEGL 1055 Legal Ethics and Professionalism
3
MATH 1530 Statistics (Gen. Ed.)
3
Total  
15

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Second Semester
Course Number Course Title Credit
LEGL 1045 Legal Research
3
LEGL 1050 Family Law
3
LEGL 1080 Law Office Management
3
**** Humanities/Fine Arts (Gen. Ed.)1
3
ENGL 1020 English Composition II (Gen. Ed.)
3
Total  
15

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Third Semester
Course Number Course Title Credit
LEGL 2030 Courts and Procedures I
3
LEGL 2040 Legal Writing
3
LEGL Concentration Course or Elective2
3
SPCH 2010 Oral Communications (Gen. Ed.)
3
**** Social/Behavioral Sciences (Gen. Ed.)1
3
Total  
15

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Fourth Semester
Course Number Course Title Credit
LEGL 2035 Courts and Procedures II
3
LEGL 2045 Legal Internship3
3
LEGL Concentration Course or Elective2
3
LEGL Concentration Course or Elective2
3
LEGL 2100 Computer Research and Legal Software
3
Total  
15

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Total Program Credits 60

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

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

2Review concentrations for choices.

3An average 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 fifteen (15) 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.

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