Program Description - Pellissippi State Community College

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PARALEGAL STUDIES
A c c re d i t a t i o n :The Paralegal Studies program is approved by the American Bar
A s s o c i a t i o n .
P rogram Description: The Paralegal Studies program offers a core of general education
courses and a core of legal specialty courses designed for paralegals.
Although paralegals are not permitted to practice law, they can, while working
under the supervision of an attorney, perform many law office tasks once done solely
by an attorney.
D e g re e :Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)
Typical Job Opport u n i t i e s :Paralegals are employed primarily by law firms. Other
employment placements are legal aid services, corporate law departments, insurance
and accounting firms, real estate and title companies and various government
legal departments.
P a r a l e g a l—works in a law office under the direct supervision of an attorney doing
legal work such as drafting legal documents, file organization, legal research, investigations
and office management.
After successfully completing the Paralegal Studies program, the graduate will be
equipped to do the following:
I . Understand and apply principles of law and legal ethics
I I . Demonstrate entry-level employment skills acquired through the legal specialty
courses
I I I . Demonstrate analytical and problem-solving skills
I V. Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication
V. Demonstrate an understanding and practical application of law-office management
and related computer applications in the legal environment
Contact(s): Arlene Cleveland, Program Coordinator, (865) 971-5225,
acleveland@pstcc.edu;
Elizabeth McCowan, eimccowan@pstcc.edu; Paralegal Studies,
(865) 971-5217
Paralegal Studies—Courses and Course Sequence
Special Note: All Business and Computer Technology students who do not type 28
words per minute with five or fewer errors must enroll in OST 1100. Only students
with college-level English skills (i.e. those eligible to enroll in ENGL 1010) may
enroll in LAW c o u r s e s .
This sequence can be followed by students who begin college-level work in the fall
s e m e s t e r. Prerequisites may apply to specific courses; it is the student’s responsibility
to determine if prerequisites have been met. An academic advisor is provided for each
student. Prior to registering each semester, the student is expected to consult with
his/her assigned advisor.
Semester I (Fall) E N G L 1 0 1 0 English Composition I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.
. .
LAW 1000 Introduction to Law & Ethics............................3
M AT H * Mathematics Elective. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 - 5
O S T 1 2 11 Wo r d / E x c e l / P o w e r P o i n t. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.
. .
SPH 2100 Public Speaking.................................................3