Introduces students to law office management, including administrative systems; the management of finances, facilities, and personnel; and general management skills. Also covers the use of personal computers in the law office, including extensive hands-on training in important software applications. Emphasis shall be on case/project scheduling, work identification and assignment, time and results estimating and reporting, user and management interaction, project management tools, project documentation, post-implementation follow-up, and other aspects associated specifically with the responsibilities of the paralegal and/or attorney in charge.

Designed to introduce the student to the legal environment in which business decisions are made.

Prerequisite: C or better in BUA 3311 or PLS 3311
A continuation of Business Law I. Topics will include the Uniform Commercial Code, bailments, real estate, probate, and bankruptcy.

Covers (1) substantive criminal law, including crimes against the person, crimes against property, crimes against the public, and defenses to criminal accusations; (2) the pre-trial, trial, and appellate processes in federal and Texas criminal cases; and (3) constitutional criminal procedure, including searches, seizures, arrests, and police interrogation.

Prerequisite: sophomore standing
This course focuses on dynamic legal ethics within the paralegal profession. Emphasis is placed on ethical duties and responsibilities toward clients, third parties, and other legal and paralegal professions. Course open to all students regardless of major.

Prerequisite: POL 2311 and 2312
The study of the U.S. Constitution, Institutional Authority, Separation of Powers and Nation-State Relations through an exploration of Supreme Court cases concerned with the relationship between the individual and the government. The cases studied are designed to explore federalism, governmental powers, substantive due process and economic liberties within the contest of Supreme Court decision-making.

The overall purpose of this course is to stimulate interest in civil and personal freedoms established by the United States Constitution in the Bill of Rights though critical and factual analysis of Supreme Court cases. A working knowledge of judicial interpretation and analysis of the Constitution is essential to this study.

This course is an examination of family law in relation to state interests and social development through relevant case studies and landmark court opinions. It provides a historical overview of legal trends and family law consolidation in various political environments, and informs the students of the pervasive context and varied content of family and state issues. Family law knowledge is helpful but not required.

Real estate transactions, including interests in and acquisition and transfer of real property, real estate appraisal and financing, leases, condominiums, cooperatives, environmental and other controls on the use of real estate, and taxation of real estate.

The debt collection process, including exempt assets and security interests, and bankruptcy law and procedure.

Obtaining, protecting, and maintaining copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and patents.

The law governing the administrative agencies of the government, including administrative procedure and the substantive law of selected administrative agencies.

Methods of resolving civil disputes without litigation, including mediation and arbitration.

The systematic study of the legal principles determining international order. The course emphasizes methods for settlement of disputes regarding the rights, duties, and responsibilities of sovereign states.

The aim of this course is to train students in a range of performance skills such as interviewing, negotiating advocacy so that they will be better able to carry out tasks which are fundamental to the delivery of a range of basic legal services.

Prerequisites: Completion of 45 hours or dean’s approval; 2.0 GPA
Graded academic experiences that provide students with an opportunity to put classroom learning into practice. Internships provide supervised work experience directly related to one’s major field of study.

Prerequisites: Completion of 45 hours or dean’s approval; 2.0 GPA
Graded academic experiences that provide students with an opportunity to put classroom learning into practice. Internships provide supervised work experience directly related to one’s major field of study.

Paralegal Studies
Bachelor of Science
General Education Curriculum........................................... 45-46

MAT 1302 or MAT 1304 is acceptable for the GEC math requirement.

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS ................................................ 51-54

Business Administration ...................................... 3
BUA 3301 Business Communications
Philosophy ........................................................ 0-3
PHI 2301 Logic
Paralegal Studies .............................................. 48
PLS 3310 Law Office and Project Management and Computers
PLS 3320 Legal Ethics
PLS 4307 Alternative Dispute Resolution
PLS 4324 Trial Advocacy and Preparation

and any FOUR of the following courses

Business Administration
BUA 3311 Business Law I
BUA 3312 Business Law II

Criminal Justice
CRJ 3319 Criminal Law and Justice

Paralegal Studies
PLS 3319 Criminal Law and Justice
PLS 3326 Family Law and the State
PLS 4301 Real Estate Law
PLS 4303 Creditor's Rights and Bankruptcy
PLS 4305 Intellectual Property
PLS 4306 Administrative Law
PLS 4321 International Law

Political Science
POL 2314 Judicial Process
POL 3310 Civil Rights: Law and Society
POL 3318 Legislative Process
POL 3319 Criminal Law and Justice
POL 3322 American Constitutional Law I
POL 3323 American Constitutional Law II
POL 4321 International Law

and the following courses from Tarrant County College or their equivalent
LGLA 1307 Introduction to Law and the Legal Profession
LGLA 1345 Civil Litigation
LGLA 1353 Wills, Trusts and Probate Administration
LGLA 1303 Legal Research
LGLA 1305 Legal Writing
LGLA 1355 Family Law
LGLA 2303 Torts and Personal Injury Law
LGLA 2380 Cooperative Education

ELECTIVES ....................................................................... 24-28
TOTAL HOURS .................................................................... 124