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Award Levels
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Credit Hours Required
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Time to Completion
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Certificate*
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30
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1 Year
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Associate of Applied Science*
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64
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2.5 Years
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This program prepares students for a successful career as a paralegal. Paralegals perform delegated legal work such as drafting documents, conducting legal research, interviewing and investigating. According to the Kansas Occupational Projections 2016 - 2026 there is an expected growth of 19.9% in the paralegal field and a median wage of $40,035.
Students entering the program with an associate of arts, associate of science, or a bachelor degree from an accredited college will take the Paralegal Certificate pathway. Students without a degree will be on the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal pathway.
Upon successful completion of the course requirements with a grade of a “C” or better in each paralegal certificate course, students will be eligible to apply for one of two national examinations. Those examinations are:
1. National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. exam to become a Certified Paralegal (CP),
or
2. NALS … the association for legal professionals’ exam to become a Professional Paralegal (PP) or Accredited Legal Professional (AL)) or a Certified Legal Professional (CLP).
Students will have the opportunity to become members of the Heartland Paralegal Association (HPA) which is a not-for-profit professional organization dedicated to the advancement of the paralegal profession.
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Interested in this program?
Contact an Advisor!
outreach@neosho.edu
(620)432-0461
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Recommended Sequence of Courses
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Prerequisite Semester
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Credit Hours
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CURR 100
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First Year Seminar
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1
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ENGL 101
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English Composition I
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3
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CSIS 100
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Computer Concepts and Applications
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3
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COMM 207
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Fundamentals of Speech
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3
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+SOSC 101
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American Government
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3
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+PLGL 100
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The Paralegal in the Legal System
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3
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Total
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16
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Apply for Program Acceptance
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Semester I
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ENGL 289
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English Composition II
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3
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SOSC 100
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Introduction to Sociology
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3
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+PLGL 105
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Paralegal: Civil Procedures I [8wks]
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3
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+PLGL 110
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Paralegal: Civil Procedures II [8wks]
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3
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+PLGL 115
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Paralegal: Contracts
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3
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Total
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15
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Semester II
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+PLGL 120
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Paralegal: Real Property Law
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3
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+PLGL 125
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Paralegal: Legal Research and Writing [8wks]
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3
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+PLGL 130
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Paralegal: Adv Legal Research and Writing [8wks]
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3
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PSYC 155
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General Psychology
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3
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PLGL 135
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Paralegal: Family Law
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3
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Total
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15
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Semester III
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+PLGL 210
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Paralegal: Ethics, Interviewing and Investigation
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3
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PLGL 215
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Paralegal: Criminal Law
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3
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PLGL 220
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Paralegal: Wills, Estates, and Trusts
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3
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PLGL 225
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Paralegal: Labor and Employment Law
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3
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PLGL 230
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Paralegal: Business Organizations
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3
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Total
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15
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Semester IV
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PLGL 250
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Paralegal: Paralegal Internship
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3
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Total
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3
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Associate of Applied Science Degree Program Credits
+Certificate pathway students must successfully complete each course identified with a + above with a "C" or better.
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64
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Program Outcomes
1. +Describe an overview of the legal system and the role of the paralegal.
2. +Describe the ethical responsibilities of the paralegal.
3. +Demonstrate accurate written legal communication skills.
4. +Employ effective legal research skills including manual and technology-supported research.
5. +Demonstrate effective legal analysis skills.
6. +Apply critical thinking skills in paralegal work assignments.
7. +Prepare accurate legal documents including memoranda, motions, pleadings, and related court documents.
8. +Differentiate between authorized and unauthorized practices of law.
9. +Draft accurate contract documents including offers, acceptances, and contract clauses.
10. +Draft accurate documents relating to real estate transactions.
11. +Demonstrate appropriate interviewing and investigating skills.
12. +Demonstrate employability skills.
13. Describe the substantive and procedural principles of family law.
14. Describe the substantive and procedural principles of criminal law.
15. Describe the formation, operation, and dissolution of multiple business organization formats.
16. Demonstrate the use of research sources commonly used by labor and employment attorneys.
17. Articulate the role of the paralegal in developing of wills, estates, and trusts.
+Program outcomes identified with “+” apply to degree and certificate programs. Unmarked outcomes apply to the AAS degree only.