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The Paralegal Diploma Program provides foundation level knowledge and skills in all areas of general law, enabling you to work for private law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, or on your own. You will learn everything you need to know to be a paralegal; advance in your present job; or use your legal skills to handle your own personal, legal, or business affairs.
The program was designed for students who are seeking entry-level education in the paralegal field. It allows students to complete their studies at their own pace. The program provides foundation level knowledge in all areas of general law to enable a student to seek employment in public or private law practice, or government law related activities. It also trains individuals who are interested in learning the law to handle their personal or business affairs. Many students use their paralegal skills in a non-legal work environment. The program is structured so students can learn the statutes of their particular jurisdiction. Each lesson presents legal theory, legal procedures, and practical applications. Placement skills projects are included in every lesson plan so that students are able to prepare for a successful job search in their community. Optional externship experiences are also a part of this program. The suggested minimum study time for the entire program is 920 hours. Students who complete this program can receive academic and tuition credit toward the Paralegal Specialized Associate's Degree Program.
Applicants must meet the following requirements: they must be eighteen (18) years of age or older; must evidence prior legal background or successfully complete College for Professional Studies Entrance and Legal Aptitude Examination; must submit a copy of a high school or general equivalency diploma (G.E.D.).* Minors otherwise qualified must have a co-signer. Students have up to 12 months to complete the program. Extensions are granted of 1 month per course yet to be completed, upon written request if tuition is current.
(38 Credit Hours/920 Clock Hours)
NOTE: Conversion Ratio: 24 clock hours to 1 credit hour. The following outline is not all-inclusive and many other topics other than those listed here are covered.
| Program Outline |
Credit Hours |
|
Submissions |
| |
Paralegalism Today |
|
.5 |
|
2 |
| |
Criminal Law Process |
|
3 |
|
5 |
| |
Civil Litigation/Torts/Administrative Law |
|
3 |
|
7 |
| |
Contracts |
|
3 |
|
6 |
| |
Wills/Trusts/Estate Planning |
|
3 |
|
4 |
| |
Interviewing and Investigation |
|
3 |
|
1 |
| |
Business Organizations |
|
3 |
|
2 |
| |
Legal Research |
|
3 |
|
1 |
| |
Debtor-Creditor Relations/Bankruptcy |
|
3 |
|
2 |
| |
Real Estate |
|
3 |
|
2 |
| |
Billing/Bookkeeping/Law Office Management |
|
3 |
|
1 |
| |
Family Law |
|
3 |
|
1 |
| |
Legal Ethics |
|
2 |
|
1 |
| |
Preparation for the Legal Profession |
|
2.5 |
|
1 |
|
Total |
|
38 |
|
36 |
Paralegalism Today
After completing this lesson plan, students will have acquired important information about the paralegal profession, career opportunities and benefits, law firm structure, career planning strategies, professional image, and more. A section on the American legal system and the U.S. Constitution provides the information necessary to understand the underpinnings of the law.
(.5 Credit Hours/20 Clock Hours)
Criminal Law Process
Every person arrested in the United States is entitled to certain Constitutional protection and due process under the law. These protections and the criminal law process are examined from the time of arrest to the time of trial from the standpoints of the prosecution and the defense. Topics include: detention, arrest, Miranda warnings, indictments, information, investigation, crimes, defenses, and punishments.
(3 Credit Hours/72 Clock Hours)
Civil Litigation/Torts/Administrative Law
Thousands of lawsuits are filed in this country. The technical requirements under the law relative
to these civil suits are presented, with specific emphasis on trial preparation. Knowing the civil
law process is very important to paralegals, as well as to individuals who want to learn more
about their legal rights when bringing or defending a lawsuit. Topics include: case
management;court systems; pleadings; service of process; motions; stages of discovery;
depositions and interrogatories; trial notebooks; settlement; the steps in a trial; post-trial
procedures; torts; defenses; tort actions; personal injury; and the role and responsibilities of the
paralegal in administrative law.
(3 Credit Hours/72 Clock Hours)
Contracts
Every day, people enter into contracts. The basics of contract preparation and proper legal
requirements are discussed in this lesson. Topics include: elements of a contract; types of
contracts; promise; breach; duty to perform; remedies to breach; damages; small claims
procedures; U.C.C.; Statute of Frauds; and governmental regulations.
(3 Credit Hours/72 Clock Hours)
Wills/Trusts/Estate Planning
Wills divide the property a person has accumulated during a lifetime and precise legal
requirements must be met when drafting and preparing them. Topics include: the basic elements
of a will; types of wills; responsibilities of the personal representative; contesting, revoking, and
terminating a will; role of government; classes of trusts; rules governing trusts; purposes of estate
planning; probate; and guardianships. Tax ramifications are also discussed.
(3 Credit Hours/72 Clock Hours)
Interviewing and Investigation
This lesson plan presents the ethical aspects of interviewing and confidentiality; types of interviews; types of clients and witnesses; interview preparation techniques; the effective interview environment; questioning and listening skills; the interview format; problem solving; and counseling skills. The section on investigation covers the qualities of an effective investigator; how to develop a plan and find the facts; how to get information from public records, libraries, and computer sources; and how to find witnesses.
(3 Credit Hours/72 Clock Hours)
Business Organizations
Much of business law deals with corporations, sole proprietorships, and partnerships. How they
are formed, promoted, and managed; tax liability ramifications of each business form; and other
important considerations are discussed in this lesson plan. Topics include: how to form a
corporation; how to distinguish among different forms of business; Articles of Incorporation; by
laws; stock ownership; and government regulations.
(3 Credit Hours/72 Clock Hours)
Legal Research
Legal research is one of the most important duties that a paralegal performs. How to find and
analyze the law and put this law into usable form is presented.
(3 Credit Hours/72 Clock Hours)
Debtor/Creditor Relations and Bankruptcy
When it comes to debtors’ and creditors’ rights, it is important to know both sides. This lesson plan presents the law governing the collection of debts; the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act; the Federal Wage Garnishment Act; attachment; creditors’ remedies; the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act; and exempt property. Chapters 7, 11, and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code are discussed.
(3 Credit Hours/72 Clock Hours)
Real Estate
The process of buying and selling real and personal property; the conveyance of goods and marketable titles; financing through mortgages; and real estate contracts and closings are presented in this lesson plan. Topics include: property rights; physical components of real estate; types of ownership; easements; adverse possession; covenants; zoning laws; leases; condominiums vs. cooperatives; tax implications; contracts; title searches; mortgages; financing methods; elements of a deed; and the closing process.
(3 Credit Hours/72 Clock Hours)
Billing/Bookkeeping/Law Office Management
This lesson plan covers such office management topics as billable and non-billable hours; client
billing; accounts receivable and payable; law firm bank accounts; operation accounts; the law
office environment; management theory and functions; hiring; and training. Other topics include:
office ergonomics; office procedures; law library; and law office marketing.
(3 Credit Hours/72 Clock Hours)
Family Law
This lesson plan presents major issues in family law such as the nature of marriage; common law
marriage; antenuptial contracts; annulments; separation; divorce; child custody; child support;
alimony; tort action; adoption; and current trends.
(3 Credit Hours/72 Clock Hours)
Legal Ethics
One of the first things legal assistants and paralegals must consider is the duty they owe to the
clients. Are the clients protected against having confidential information revealed? What are the
duties and responsibilities regarding the ethical conduct of the paralegal’s career? This lesson
discusses these areas and presents Canons; Code of Ethics; ethical practices in a law office;
licensing and certification; and more.
(2 Credit Hours/48 Clock Hours)
Preparation for the Legal Profession
This lesson plan is a review of legal subject matter covered in all previous lesson plans. There are additional topics on investigation, domestic abuse, modification of order of divorce; and the law office environment. The comprehensive final exam helps students prepare for other qualifying exams or job application tests they may take. Employment skills, including résumé building and job search activities, are presented.
(2.5 Credit Hours/60 Clock Hours)
Accreditation
College for Professional Studies' programs are licensed in the state of Florida and accredited by
the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The address of the DETC is:
1601 18th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-2529
202.234.5100
detc@detc.org
College for Professional Studies is licensed by the State Board of Nonpublic Career Education,
Florida Department of Education, The Florida Education Center, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400;
Tel. (850) 488-9504 to award a specialized associate's degree in paralegal studies and a diploma in paralegal studies.
College for Professional Studies also holds a Level II Provisional License with the State Board of Independent
Colleges and Universities (SBICU) (Department of Education, The Florida Education Center, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400;
Tel. (850)488-8695) to offer a Bachelor of Science Degree Program in Paralegal Studies.
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