2011-2012
Articulation & Transfer Agreement

Students who complete the Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Studies at Southwest Tennessee Community College will be accepted as transfer students at The University of Memphis pursuant to this agreement after meeting all admission requirements. They will also need to be admitted to the University College in order to pursue the Bachelor of Professional Studies degree with a concentration in Paralegal Services.

Upon successful completion of the following requirements, the Bachelor of Professional Studies degree with a concentration in Paralegal Services will be awarded by The University of Memphis to holders of the Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Studies from Southwest Tennessee Community College:

• 42 upper-division credit-hours successfully completed at The University of Memphis;
• a minimum of sixty (60) credit-hours taken at a regionally-accredited, four-year institution;
• a minimum of thirty (30) of the final sixty (60) credit-hours required for the degree taken at The University of Memphis;
• a final, cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 with a 2.25 grade point average within the coordinated study (major); and,
• all other University of Memphis degree requirements in accordance with the attached articulation description.

This agreement takes effect upon approval by representatives from Southwest Tennessee Community College and The University of Memphis and will be reviewed annually by representatives from both institutions.

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

Table of Contents (TOC)

• Southwest Tennessee Community College
  1. General Education Requirements
  2. Required Paralegal Core Courses
  3. Other Required Course
  4. Concentration Courses
• The University of Memphis
  1. Program Summary
  2. Program in Detail
     1. Paralegal Requirements
     2. Written Communications
     3. Interdisciplinary Requirements
        1. Group 1: Business and Administrative Applications
        2. Group 2: Philosophical and Constitutional Perspectives
        3. Group 3: Law in Society
        4. Group 4: Ethical/Moral/Social Issues
     4. Thematic Studies
     5. Senior Project
     6. Elective Hours

I. General Education Requirements (18 hrs)²

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II. Required Paralegal Core Courses (30 hrs)

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III. Other Required Course (3 hrs)

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IV. Concentration Courses and LEGL Elective (9 hrs)⁴

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¹Transfer hours without University of Memphis equivalents will be used as electives toward the Bachelor of Professional Studies degree.

²Additional general education courses will be required upon transfer to The University of Memphis.

³Southwest Tennessee Community College requires the successful completion of a 60 clock-hour internship. The University of Memphis requires the successful completion of a 150 clock-hour internship. Students transferring to The University of Memphis pursuant to this agreement should complete a 150 clock-hour internship while attending Southwest Tennessee Community College; otherwise, an additional upper-division LEGL course must be taken upon transfer to The University of Memphis.

⁴LEGL 1070 - Torts is recommended as an LEGL elective.

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I. Program Summary

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II. Program In Detail

In addition to completing The University of Memphis' undergraduate general education requirements, students pursuing the BPS in Paralegal Services degree must complete all University College degree/graduation requirements and take courses for the "Coordinated Study" degree component according to the following guidelines:

A. Paralegal Requirements (15 hrs)

(Select five courses from the following group which were not taken at Southwest Tennessee Community College; A minimum grade of "C-" is required in each course taken.)

*LEGL courses will be selected and offered during the summer semester based upon student demand.

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B. Written Communications (6 hrs)

• ENGL 3500 - Practical English Grammar

  And

• ENGL 3604 - Persuasive Writing

  or

• MGMT 3510 - Business Communications

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C. Interdisciplinary Requirements (12 hrs)

(Select one course from each of the groups listed below)

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D. Thematic Studies (6 hrs)

Students complete a total of six credit-hours in a University College thematic studies course(s) of their choosing. These courses are designed to broaden a student's knowledge of significant themes in social, political, and religious history. Only specifically-designated courses will meet this requirement. For a complete list of approved courses, see: http://www.memphis.edu/univcoll/courseinfo/thematic_studies.php.

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E. Senior Project (3 hrs)

Students will enroll in the senior project during their last undergraduate semester at The University of Memphis. The senior project is an online course delivered via eCourseware to a maximum of 12 paralegal students per course section. [For more details about eCourseware, students should log onto the Advanced Learning Center's web site at: http://alc.memphis.edu].

The student's senior project should illustrate the extent to which the student can manage a significant independent study research project in a thoughtful and professional manner. It is the culmination of the student's academic program and should grow out of the student's interest in a particular issue within the law.

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F. Elective Hours (0-19 hrs)

Elective courses are taken as needed to reach a minimum total of 120 credit-hours. Electives may be taken from any academic course offerings. University College recommends that students use elective hours to earn a minor. Minors in Legal Thought, Criminal Justice, Political Science, Management, or Sociology can usually be earned with a minimum number of additional credit-hours if students carefully select courses used to fulfill General Education and Concentration requirements. Students should see their advisor and refer to The University of Memphis' Undergraduate Bulletin for information about specific course requirements for minors.

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