Paralegal Studies (9290)

Paralegals assist attorneys in providing quality legal services to clients. The Paralegal Studies program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to assist lawyers in the practice of law.1

The curriculum focuses on drafting legal documents and building strong research, writing, and analytical skills, while stressing the ethical framework of the law. Upon completion of the curriculum, students will be able to work in a variety of legal settings including law firms, corporations, and government agencies.

All paralegal courses have a practical component, allowing students to practice the legal theories taught in the classroom. The paralegal program concludes with an internship course in which students experience first-hand the paralegal profession.

The Paralegal Studies program is approved by the American Bar Association.

1

Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law. Ohio prohibits the practice of law by non-lawyers.

A certificate is also available.

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterCredit Hours
ENGL 1110
English Composition I (A) 1
or English Composition I (B)
3
FYEX 1000 First Year Experience 1
ITIS 1000
Basic Computer Skills
or Computer Essentials
1-3
PARL 1100 Introduction to Paralegal Studies 3
POLS 1300 U.S. National Government 3
Select course(s) from the Mathematics Electives list 4
 Credit Hours15-17
Second Semester
COMM 1000
Effective Public Speaking
or Effective Interpersonal Communications
3
ENGL 1120 English Composition II 3
PARL 1200 Introduction to Legal Research and Writing 3
PARL 1400 Business Issues in the Law 3
PARL 1500 Civil Law and Practice 3
PHIL 2600 Logic 3
 Credit Hours18
Third Semester
GEOG 1600 World Regional Geography 3
ITIS 1550 Using Microsoft Office: Word and Excel 3
PARL 1250 Advanced Legal Research Writing 3
PARL 2050 The Legal Workplace 3
PARL 2200
Employment Law and the Administrative Process
or Criminal Law and Procedure
3
 Credit Hours15
Fourth Semester
HUMX 1100 Introduction to Humanities 3
PARL 2199
Business Law I (Contract Law)
or Business Law I
3
PARL 2700 Legal Internship/Seminar I 2 3
Select courses(s) from the Technical Electives list 4
 Credit Hours13
 Total Credit Hours61-63
1

English course selection is based on placement test results (ENGL 1111 English Composition I (B) is 4 credits, only 3 credits apply to the degree).

2

Students can take this course during either the third or fourth semester.

Technical course
This course is designated as a technical course in the program. Students must earn a "C" grade or higher in the course to fulfill the college's graduation requirements policy.

Electives

Course Title Credit Hours
Technical Electives
PARL 2000Real Estate Law and Practice 2
PARL 2100Probate Law and Practice 2
PARL 2250Alternative Dispute Resolution 2
PARL 2350Legal Issues in Cyberspace 2
PARL 2450Investigative Fact-Finding 2
PARL 2550Litigation Management 2
PARL 2650Family Law 2
PARL 2750Legal Internship/Seminar II 2
Mathematics
MATH 1040
MATH 1050
Applied Business Mathematics
and Mathematics of Finance
4
or MATH 1550 Statistics (A)