Degrees Offered - Paralegal (AAS)

Record details

Begin a professional career in the legal field by earning an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies. 

Students who successfully complete our paralegal program are equipped with the skills necessary for an entry-level paralegal position. Paralegals, sometimes called legal assistants, work under the supervision of an attorney and perform many tasks traditionally performed by attorneys. For example, paralegals may interview clients and witnesses, conduct investigations, perform legal research, organize and analyze data, assist in all stages of the trial process, prepare for and assist at real estate closings and will executions, maintain corporate and other entity records, and draft pleadings and other legal documents. Paralegals must work under the supervision of an attorney; paralegals are not allowed to give legal advice, set legal fees, represent clients, appear in court on behalf of a client, or to provide independent legal services. 

Paralegals are employed by private law firms, corporations, banks, real estate and title companies, governmental agencies, insurance companies, estate planning and investment service organizations, hospitals, public interest and legal aid organizations, and of course, the offices of public defenders, district attorneys, judges, and the courts. 

Our paralegal classes utilize a hands-on approach and are taught by licensed attorneys in classes with small student-to-faculty ratios. With the exception of two classes, the paralegal program can be completed online. 

Upon graduation, paralegal students are encouraged to seek voluntary certification with the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) or the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA). 

An associate’s degree in paralegal studies is an excellent stepping stone for a rewarding legal career. 

Catalog Year

2022-2023

Degree Type

AAS

Available Online

No

Available Hybrid

Yes

TSI

Complete

Degree Plan

Major Courses	39 Credits
LGLA 1119 Paralegal Ethics
LGLA 1311 Introduction to Law
ITSW 1301 Introduction to Word Processing
LGLA 1403 Legal Research
LGLA 2305 Interviewing and Investigating
POFI 2340 Advanced Word Processing
LGLA 1405 Legal Writing
LGLA 1349 Constitutional Law
LGLA 1345 Civil Litigation
ACNT 1303 Introduction to Accounting I OR ACCT 2301 Principles of Accounting - Financial
LGLA 2307 Law Office Management
LGLA 2311 Business Organizations
LGLA 2380 Cooperative—Legal Assistant/ Paralegal OR Approved LGLA Elective*
General Education Courses	21 Credits
Every Associate of Applied Science degree plan must contain at least 15 semester hours of general education courses. At least one course must be taken from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts (language, philosophy & culture/creative arts), social/behavioral science (social and behavioral sciences/American history/government/ political science), and natural science/mathematics (life and physical sciences/mathematics).	Major Courses: 39 General Education Courses: 21 Total Semester Hours: 60

Recommended Course Sequence:

First Semester	Credit Hours
LGLA 1119 Paralegal Ethics (#)	1
GOVT 2305 Federal Government	3
LGLA 1311 Introduction to Law (#)	3
ITSW 1301 Introduction to Word Processing	3
ENGL 1301 Composition I	3
MATH 1314 College Algebra OR  MATH 1332 OR MATH 1342	3

Second Semester	Credit Hours
ENGL 1302 Composition II OR ENGL 2311	3
GOVT 2306 Texas Government	3
LGLA 1403 Legal Research (+)	4
LGLA 2305 Interviewing and Investigating (+)	3
POFI 2340 Advanced Word Processing	3

Third Semester	Credit Hours
LGLA 1405 Legal Writing (#)	4
LGLA 1349 Constitutional Law (#)	3
LGLA 1345 Civil Litigation (#)	3
SPCH 1321 Business and Professional Speaking OR SPCH 1321	3
ACNT 1303 Introduction to Accounting I OR  ACCT 2301	3

Fourth Semester	Credit Hours
LGLA 2307 Law Office Management (+)	3
LGLA 2311 Business Organizations (+)	3
XXXX x3xx Lang., Phil. & Culture Core OR Creative Arts Core	3
LGLA 2380 Cooperative Education - Legal Assistant/Paralegal OR LGLA 1353 OR LGLA 1355 OR LGLA 2313 OR LGLA 2315 OR LGLA 2333 OR LGLA 2337	3

Total Semester Hours	60

Courses titled in bold type represent general education requirements.

*Approved Electives: LGLA 1353, 1355, 2313, 2315, 2333 and 2337.

(#) - Indicates the course is only taught in fall semester

(+) - Indicates the course is only taught in spring semester