Business - Paralegal Studies

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The Paralegal Studies program prepares students to work under the supervision of an attorney in private law offices, government agencies or corporate law departments performing delegated legal work including legal research, document preparation, client interviewing, factual investigation and case management utilizing current technology and in compliance with ethical and professional standards.

This program is designed for the student who does not intend to transfer to a baccalaureate degree program.

Policy Regarding the Award of Credit for Law Courses by Examination or Transfer from another Institution

The paralegal studies program of Walters State does not permit the award of law course credit by examination. To preserve the quality and integrity of the program, no more than six (6) hours of law course credits may be awarded by transfer from another institution. When a request for credit by transfer is made by a student, the transcript of the institution where those credits were awarded must be presented to the college’s student records office. The program director will then review the transcript and a course description from the institution which awarded the credits and makes a determination as to 1) whether the institution which awarded the credits is accredited at a level substantially equivalent to Walters State; 2) whether the credits were awarded as part of a paralegal program substantially the equivalent of the Walters State paralegal program; and 3) whether the specific course appears to cover substantially the same material and involve the same number of semester hours as the equivalent course at Walters State. In the event the program director is satisfied that an acceptance/transfer of the credits is appropriate under these criteria, then the program director will generate a course substitution form indicating the source of the credits and the law course for which they should be accepted as credit and the reason for that recommendation. The course substitution is not effective until approved by the division dean, the vice president for academic affairs and the student records office.

Degree: Associate of Applied Science

Emphasis: Business

Concentration: Paralegal Studies (Approved by the American Bar Association)

Recommended Full-Time Schedule

The following Recommended Full-Time Schedule is not a substitute for academic advising. You must meet with an academic advisor each semester to be cleared for registration. Consult with your advisor about scheduling and degree requirements. Also, see the current undergraduate catalog (catalog.ws.edu) for a complete list of requirements and electives. Requirements are continually under revision, and there is no guarantee they will not be changed or revoked. Contact the academic division or department for current information.

Factors that affect your progression include required Learning Support courses, completion of computer competency and your choices regarding campus location, course delivery method, and the days and times selected to take classes.

¹General Education electives in each category must be chosen from approved courses listed in the General Education Program .

²As part of the law elective requirements, students must take either LAW 2010 or LAW 2020.

³Students should consult a faculty advisor to determine appropriate course selections transferable to specific institutions.

Notes:

• Walters State students are required to meet computer competency during the first 30 hours of coursework. In this program, BUSN 1360 Software Applications for Business is required to satisfy computer competency and must be taken during the first 30 hours.

•Learning Support courses must be taken every semester until completed.

First Year

Fall Term (16 semester credit hours)

BUSN 1360 - Software Applications for Business (3 hrs.)
ENGL 1010♦ - Composition I (3 hrs.)
LAW 1110♦ - Introduction to Paralegal Practice, Professional Ethics and Legal Office Management (4 hrs.)
Humanities Elective¹ (3 hrs.)

Mathematics Elective¹ (3 hrs.)

Spring Term (14 semester credit hours)

ECON 2010♦ - Macroeconomics (3 hrs.)
ENGL 1020♦ - Composition II (3 hrs.)
LAW 1120♦ - Legal Research and Writing Skills (4 hrs.)
LAW 1150♦ - Contract Law (2 hrs.)
LAW 1160♦ - Business Organizations (2 hrs.)

Second Year

Fall Term (14 semester credit hours)

Spring Term (16 semester credit hours)

BUSN 1305 - Introduction to Business (3 hrs.)
LAW 1140♦ - Torts, Workers Compensation, and Employment Law (4 hrs.)
LAW 1180♦ - Wills, Trusts & Estate Administration for Paralegals (2 hrs.)
LAW 2010♦ - Criminal Litigation and Procedure (3 hrs.)
LAW Electives² (1 hr.) (Select from LAW 2040 or LAW 2050)
SPCH 1010♦ - Fundamentals of Speech Communication (3 hrs.)

Business - Paralegal Studies

Recommended Full-Time Schedule

First Year

Fall Term (16 semester credit hours)

Spring Term (14 semester credit hours)

Second Year

Fall Term (14 semester credit hours)

Spring Term (16 semester credit hours)

Program Degree Requirements - A.A.S. Business - Paralegal Studies

General Education Requirements (15 hours)

Communication

Humanities and/or Fine Arts

Behavioral/Social Sciences

Mathematics

Concentrations (45 hours)

Electives (7 hours)

Total Credit Hours 60