Paralegal Studies Degree Program
Curriculum for students entering program in 2008-09.
Specific Admission Requirements
The Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies, approved by the American Bar Association, will prepare students to perform effectively in today's legal and business communities. This program is an expanded version of the Certificate Program. Both programs are approved by the American Bar Association. The degree program trains men and women for professional status as lawyers' assistants in banks, corporations, government agencies, insurance companies, and law firms. The program provides students with a broad-based academic curriculum, which emphasizes the skills, substantive knowledge and ethics a paralegal needs to assist lawyers effectively. Graduates may either enter the work force directly after graduation or continue their education at a four-year institution.
The Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. Most major field courses, however, are offered in the evenings at this time. The general education courses are offered both days and evenings. The degree of Associate in Science with a major in Paralegal Studies will be awarded upon successful completion of all program requirements.
The work of the paralegal requires discretion and independent judgment. A paralegal always works under the supervision and direction of an attorney. Even though a paralegal can perform many of the tasks which have otherwise been performed by attorneys, a paralegal may not give legal advice, represent a client in court or otherwise engage in the practice of law.
NHTI graduates will be exposed during their course of studies to the legal system and the role of paralegals within the profession, the ethical rules governing lawyers and paralegals, and the operation of a law office. Through the course sequence in the degree program, NHTI’s graduates will be:
- able to assist in most aspects of legal research, and in the preparation of clear and concise legal writings, on a topic of their choosing;
- introduced to Lexis/Nexis;
- able to assist in virtually all phases of litigation and real property transactions;
- able to assist in the formation, daily administration and dissolution of a corporate entity;
- able to assist in the planning and administration of a decedent’s estate;
- prepared to assist in the drafting of pleadings and in the completion of preliminary research in the area of family law;
- exposed to the various elements of New Hampshire criminal practice and procedure.
CL - Numbers in the CL column below designate the number of lecture/classroom hours per week for the course
LAB - Numbers in the LAB column below designate the number of simulation laboratory, laboratory or clinical
hours per week for the course
CR - Numbers in the CR column below designate the number of credit hours for the course
| Course Number | Course Title | CL | LAB | CR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIRST YEAR | |||||
| Fall Semester | |||||
| EN 101 | English Composition | 4 | 0 | 4 | |
| IT 102 | PC Applications | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| # | PL 106 | Introduction to Legal Studies | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| # | PL 107 | Contracts and Torts | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| PY 105 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| 16 | |||||
| Spring Semester | |||||
| AC 101 | Accounting I | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| EN 120 | Communications or | ||||
| EN xxx | English Elective | 3-4 | 0 | 3-4 | |
| MT 123 | Intermediate Algebra | 4 | 0 | 4 | |
| # | PL 110 | Litigation and Trial Preparation | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| # | PL 225 | Legal Research and Writing+ | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| 17-18 | |||||
| SECOND YEAR | |||||
| Fall Semester | |||||
| AC 102 | Accounting II | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| PI 242 | Contemporary Ethical Issues | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| # | PL 221 | Real Estate | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| # | PL 251 | Probate Estates and Trusts | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| # | PL 262 | Criminal Law and Procedures | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 15 | |||||
| Spring Semester | |||||
| FL xxx | Foreign Language or | 3 | 0-2 | 3-4 | |
| XX xxx | General Education Elective | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| # | PL 231 | Business Organizations & Bankruptcy | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| # | PL 242 | Domestic Relations Law | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| # | PL 270 | Internship/Seminar | 0 | 9 | 3 |
| XX xxx | Science Elective* | 3 | 2 | 4 | |
| XX xxx | Social Science Elective** | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| 19-20 | |||||
| TOTAL CREDITS | 67-69 | ||||
# Indicates major field courses
* BI 100, CH 100 and PH 100 do not meet this requirement.
** Any course with a prefix of AN, EO, HI, PS, PY or SO (except HI 104 and HI 105).
+A $100 fee will be assessed for all students taking PL 225. This fee will cover costs associated with ABA dues, Lexis/Nexis, Franklin Pierce Law Center Library, Supreme Court Library and PLS Associate Membership.
Revised June 21, 2007