Paralegal Studies, Technical Certificate

GENERAL EDUCATION CORE

• ENGL 111 - English Composition CREDIT HOURS MIN: 3

PROFESSIONAL - TECHNICAL CORE

• LEGS 101 - Introduction to Legal Studies CREDIT HOURS MIN: 3
• LEGS 102 - Legal Research CREDIT HOURS MIN: 3
• LEGS 103 - Civil Procedure CREDIT HOURS MIN: 3
• LEGS 124 - Legal Writing I CREDIT HOURS MIN: 3
• LEGS 155 - Law Office Technology CREDIT HOURS MIN: 3
• LEGS 170 - Legal Ethics CREDIT HOURS MIN: 3
• LEGS 202 - Litigation CREDIT HOURS MIN: 3
• LEGS 224 - Legal Writing II CREDIT HOURS MIN: 3

TECHNICAL ELECTIVES

Select 3 credits from the following: 

• OTEC 105 - Microsoft Word CREDIT HOURS MIN: 3
• OTEC 109 - Microsoft PowerPoint CREDIT HOURS MIN: 3
• OTEC 118 - Microsoft Excel CREDIT HOURS MIN: 3
• LEGS 1xx-2xx - Legal Studies Electives CREDIT HOURS: 3

TOTAL CREDITS: 31

DEGREE OUTCOMES

• Examine various levels of US state and federal court systems.
• Define and apply basic legal terminology.
• Identify and demonstrate the ability to conduct research on primary and secondary legal authority.
• Demonstrate the ability to distinguish between binding and nonbinding primary authority, and primary and secondary authority.
• Formulate proper citation forms for primary and secondary authorities.
• Identify jurisdictional requirements for lawsuits, parties to a lawsuit, and methods of discovery.
• Understand and demonstrate the ability to draft a variety of pleadings, motions, and other legal documents.
• Describe the role that the Indiana Supreme Court plays in the regulation of lawyers and paralegals.
• Compare and contrast various Indiana Trial Rules with Federal Rules of Civil procedure.
• Understand and apply the rules of English grammar and style, including, but not limited to: word usage, identify common errors, punctuation, capitalization, grammar, rules of composition, formal writing style, and sentence structure.
• Acquire the skills necessary, through general education requirements, to be a successful student at a transfer school, including but not limited to, basic math, English, writing, sociology, humanities, and science skills.
• Identify various technologies that are used in a law office setting, both hardware and software, and the application of each, including but not limited to: word processing, spreadsheets, electronic databases, and dictation.
• Perform calendaring, scheduling, billing, docketing and filing tasks, including electronic filing.
• Prepare a variety of types of correspondence, including but not limited to: status letter, opinion letter, appointment letter, engagement letter, cover letter, demand letter, and general client correspondence, and basic writing competency.