Paralegal Studies
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CLA Information
As of February 2009 Paralegal Studies is ABA Approved!
Program Goals
The primary PLS program goal is to provide students with the skills required to enter the workforce as competent professionals. This goal is achieved through courses which address a variety of skills concerning a broad range of legal disciplines. The program can achieve outlined objectives through solid core courses accompanied with a variety of electives to provide depth and breadth of training for graduates.
Program Objectives
- Teach students the ethical standards required of both attorneys and paralegals and the importance of upholding these ethical standards.
- Meet the community's expectations, requirements and demands for qualified, competent, ethical and professional paralegals.
- Enable students to become proficient in legal research and writing.
- Develop students’ abilities to recognize, meet and stay current with the needs of the ever-changing legal profession and the roles and requirements of paralegals.
- Teach students how to analyze and summarize documents.
- Enable students to become adept in computer-aided legal research by utilizing the latest computer technologies.
- Enable students to become competent in the use of data bases and document coding, as well as entry and retrieval for document control.
- Open the world of law to students by introducing them to many disciplines of law.
- Teach students how to prepare a variety of legal instruments.
- Regularly evaluate the curriculum as community needs dictate.
- Teach students the methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution.
- Educate students in substantive and procedural law.
- Develop students’ abilities to effectively communicate.
- Educate the community to the uses, benefits and strengths of paralegals.
- Encourage and welcome students of diversity.
The Program
A paralegal (a title also known as and used interchangeably with the term “legal assistant”) is a person qualified through education, training and work experience who under the direction and supervision of an attorney performs delegated legal work for the attorney or law firm. Although a paralegal is not licensed to practice law, he or she completes tasks traditionally performed by an attorney with the exceptions of giving legal advice, independently representing clients and any other unauthorized practice of law.
A Paralegal Studies degree from Salt Lake Community College provides a broad-based education preparing students for employment in today’s workforce. The Paralegal Program is specifically designed for those considering employment as a paralegal or those who wish to update their professional development or for those already in the field. Many graduates also use the skills obtained in the Program to seek employment in non-traditional legal and business related fields.
General requirements and a variety of elective courses permit important choices for students and provide graduates with training in effective oral and written communication and human relation skills. Various courses are taught using group activities in the learning process to develop the student’s interactive skills and to build human values and ethics.
The Degree
The Paralegal Studies degree is a two year Associate of Applied Science degree. Students qualify for the degree by completing 19 hours of general education requirements and 46 hours of Program specific courses. 31 hours are required coursework and 15 hours are elective hours chosen by the students. Courses are typically taught at the Library Square Campus in the evening and the Redwood Road Campus during the day and evening.
Students who are desirous of advice on course selections, should consult the Business Advisor (Business Building, Room 132A), the Program Specialist, full-time faculty or may call (801) 957-4300.
Transfer Information: Utah Valley University (UVU) offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Studies through the School of Woodbury School of Business, Legal Studies Department. Students interested in pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Studies should consult with the UVU Departmental Advisor prior to transfer at (801) 863-8032 and the SLCC School of Business Advisor at (801) 957-4323 for appropriate course selections.
Pre-requisites
It is the students’ responsibility to examine each course description for details of pre-requisite classes. Those pre-requisites must be satisfied before the designated class may be taken.
Preparation Note
Students who need to take preparatory classes to meet the requirements of first semester courses should plan on extra time to complete the program.
Class Availability
The semester in which courses are taught are listed in the course descriptions. Students should check the semester class schedule for day/evening availability and modifications caused by varying enrollment.
Tuition and Costs of Textbooks and Supplies
Semester class schedules should be consulted for up to date tuition and fees expenses. Estimated cost of books and supplies per semester are between $250 to $350.
Grade Requirements
Students earning a grade lower than a C in major course requirements must repeat the class. The following courses require a B- or higher: PLS 1010, PLS 1030, PLS 1050 and PLS 1120.
Internship Requirement (Co-Op)
Cooperative Education is the Colleges’ program for recognizing the rewarding new learning associated with study-related employment in a business, industrial or government work environment. Credit earned from PLS 2000 is applied toward graduation requirements as both an alternative required class and/or as an elective credit. Contact the Cooperative Education Department at (801) 957-4014 for more information. The Department strongly recommends that students enhance their employment opportunities through Cooperative Education as soon as skills permit, to compliment the certificate or degree.