Paralegal Studies A.A.S.

Tom Stanton, Director

This program is approved by the American Bar Association. The Paralegal Studies program prepares students for challenging and diverse careers in private law practices and in the law-related areas of business, industry, and government. The goals of the Paralegal Studies program are to enable students, through theoretical and practical legal education, to understand the function of law, to work as paralegals in the effective delivery of legal services, and to enhance the legal profession. This program is designed to equip students with skills to analyze legal issues and to perform a variety of activities including drafting legal documents, interviewing clients, conducting legal research, and preparing cases for trial. Students utilize current technology through Internet research and legal and general office software applications. Paralegal studies students receive the necessary legal training to take advantage of new career opportunities in all sectors of the economy. Students are exposed to the principles of legal ethics and are cautioned regarding restrictions against the unauthorized practice of law by laypersons. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.

Associate of Applied Science - Paralegal Studies

Missoula College

Catalog Year: 2016-2017

Degree Specific Credits: 70

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0

Note: Two year/four semester in-step degree. If classes are taken out of sequence, or Spring enrollment, additional semesters are required for graduation. Also note, LEG prefix (legal specialty) are only offered in the semester indicated.

See Program Director for scope and sequence advising.
Please refer to online schedule for online course availability.

Associate in Applied Sciences in Paralegal Studies Course Requirements

Rule: All Courses Required

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description ACTG 100 - Essentials of Accounting
Offered autumn and spring. Introduction to basic double-entry accounting. Emphasis on analyzing, journalizing, and posting transactions; trial balance, worksheet, financial statements, and adjusting/closing procedures, cash control and completing the accounting cycle.
 4 Credits
Show Description BMGT 212 - Critical Analysis for Business
This is an analysis, critical thinking, and writing course for students in the Business Technology fields. Students will also be introduced to traditional Western philosophy through study and discussion of Socrates, Plato and, Aristotle. To that end, students will analyze theories of knowledge and morality in relationship to current events within American Democracy and Law. Students will practice identifying elements of arguments, analyzing elements of arguments for logic, and developing coherent and comprehensive responses to arguments. This course will emphasize practical application rather than purely academic exercise.
 3 Credits
Show Description CAPP 120 - Introduction to Computers
Offered autumn and spring. Introduction to computer terminology, hardware, and software, including wire/wireless communications and multimedia devices. Students utilize word processing, spread sheet, database, and presentation applications to create projects common to business and industry in a networked computing environment. Internet research, email usage, and keyboarding proficiency are integrated.
 3 Credits
Show Description CAPP 154 - MS Word
Offered autumn and spring.  Prereq., CAPP 120 or basic computer experience and consent of instr. Preparation of business forms, correspondence, mail merges, columnar projects, and reports using up-to-date software.  Business related application projects, graphics, and printer operation are included.
 3 Credits
Show Description COMX 111A - Intro to Public Speaking
Offered every term. Preparation, presentation, and criticism of speeches. Emphasis on the development of public speaking techniques through constructive criticism. Credit not allowed for both COMM 111A and COM 160A.
 3 Credits
Show Description CRT 188T - Computers and Law
Offered autumn. Prereq., CAPP 120 and LEG 185T. Intermediate concepts of computer systems, operating systems, graphical environments, electronic mail, Internet, and file management. A variety of applications including word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, and law-related software are included.
 3 Credits
Show Description LEG 183 - Contracts
Offered spring. Sources of law affecting the formation, enforceability, and interpretation of contracts. Includes the necessary elements of a contract, the basic doctrines of contract law, and practical approaches to drafting a contract.
 2 Credits
Show Description LEG 184 - Legal Ethics
Offered autumn. Introduction to ethics for the paralegal, including confidentiality, paralegal-attorney relationship, fee arrangements, Code of Professional Conduct, attorney-client privilege, fiduciary responsibilities, and public service.
 2 Credits
Show Description LEG 185 - Introduction Paralegal Studies
Offered autumn. Consent of instr. Students will develop an ability to analyze basic legal principles in real property law and practical experience increasing, organizing, and completing real estate transactions. Students in the course will develop fundamental skills; real estate, landlord-tenant, and land use law.  Further, students will continue development of drafting skills, legal research, and case analysis.
 3 Credits
Show Description LEG 186 - Introduction to Legal Research
Offered autumn. Prereq., acceptance into program or consent of instr. Introduction to legal research focusing on how to find, use, understand, and correctly cite law library resources.
 2 Credits
Show Description LEG 187 - Leg Res & Wrtg I
Offered spring. Prereq., LEG 186. Advanced legal research focusing on how to find, use, understand, and correctly cite legal resources. Electronic research methods are presented. Application of legal research to writing is introduced.
 2 Credits
Show Description LEG 188 - Prin of Real Estate
Offered spring. Consent of instr. Students will develop an ability to analyze basic legal principles in real property law and practical experience increasing, organizing, and completing real estate transactions. Students in the course will develop fundamental skills; real estate, landlord-tenant, and land use law. Further, students will continue development of drafting skills, legal research, and case analysis.
 2 Credits
Show Description LEG 189 - Criminal Procedures
Offered spring. Consent of instr. Criminal prosecution and defense representation with an overview of criminal law principles. Training in criminal procedure involving felonies and misdemeanors in federal, Montana, and municipal courts.
 3 Credits
Show Description LEG 270 - Civil Litigation
Offered autumn. Prereq., LEG 185T, LEG 187T or consent of instr. Introduction to rules governing civil litigation involving the general nature of how lawsuits arise including client interviews and data gathering, pleading and practice from the filing of suit to file preparation for trial, and core considerations of ethics and professionalism.
 3 Credits
Show Description LEG 282 - Contemporary Legal Issues
Offered spring. Prereq., LEG 270, or consent of instr. Capstone experience designed to investigate topical legal issues of immediate importance. Although the course has delineated structure, the nature of the course will allow both relevant concentrated focus as well as traditional disciplined examination of numerous areas of law practice and theory.  The various pedagogical modules will offer students the opportunity to explore statutory structure, analyze case law, and draft legal forms.
 3 Credits
Show Description LEG 283 - Trial Preparation
Offered spring. Prereq., LEG 270, or consent of instr. Capstone experience designed to investigate topical legal issues of immediate importance. Although the course has delineated structure, the nature of the course will allow both relevant concentrated focus as well as traditional disciplined examination of numerous areas of law practice and theory.  The various pedagogical modules will offer students the opportunity to explore statutory structure, analyze case law, and draft legal forms.
 3 Credits
Show Description LEG 285 - Family Law
Offered spring. Prereq., LEG 185, LEG 286 or consent of instr. Study of Montana law relating to marriage, husband and wife, parent and child, termination of marriage, adoption, joint and sole custody arrangements and modifications, child support guidelines, and juvenile issues. Includes preparation of standard family law documents.
 3 Credits
Show Description LEG 286 - Legal Res & Writing II
Offered autumn. Prereq., LEG 186T/187T. Advanced legal research and writing with emphasis on drafting and composing legal memoranda; legal research skills and development of legal writing ability.
 2 Credits
Show Description LEG 287 - Legal Res. & Writing III
Offered spring. Prereq., LEG 286. Continued development of legal research and writing skills including advanced legal theory/case law synthesis, drafting correspondence, pleadings, discovery documents, persuasive writing. Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: research, analyze, synthesize, and prioritize law cases, treatises, doctrines, theory of the law, legal rules, and other information and draft appropriate correspondence, pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery documents or memoranda relating to that information as would be anticipated in a law office.
 2 Credits
Show Description LEG 288 - Estate Administration
Offered spring. Prereq., LEG 185, LEG 286 or consent of instr. This course provides an overview of the law as it applies to wills, trusts, and other estate matters. Topics include the nature and sources of the law relating to wills, trusts, and estates, estate planning, intestate succession, family protection, probate, and estate taxes.
 2 Credits
Show Description LEG 298 - Paralegal Studies Internship
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., last semester in program, minimum of “C” in LEG courses, and approval of program director. On-the-job experience as a paralegal trainee under the supervision of an employer, attorney, or court official. This experience increases students' skills, prepares them for initial employment and advancement on the job, and increases occupational awareness and professionalism. Students work a minimum of 90 hours at an approved site and attend a weekly one-hour seminar.
 2 Credits
Show Description M 105 - Contemporary Mathematics
Offered every term. Prereq. M 090 with a grade of B- or better, or M 095, or ALEKS placement >= 3, or ACT score of 22, or SAT score of 520. An introduction to mathematical ideas and their impact on society. Intended for students wishing to satisfy the general education mathematics requirement.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 210S - Intro to American Government
Offered every term. Not open to senior level political science majors except with consent of instructor. Constitutional principles, structures, and the political processes of the national government.
 3 Credits
Show Description SOCI 101S - Introduction to Sociology
Offered every term. Overview of the principles and concepts used in the study of human social interaction, groups, communities and societies. Required of all majors.
 3 Credits
Show Description WRIT 101 - College Writing I
UM: Offered every term. Prereq., WRIT 095 or proof of passing score on writing diagnostic examination, referral by WRIT 095 instructor-SAT writing score at or above 440, MUSWA at or above 3.5, SAT/ACT essay score at or above 7, or ACT Combined English/Writing score at or above 18. Expository prose and research paper; emphasis on structure, argument, development of ideas, clarity, style, and diction. Students expected to write without major faults in grammar or usage. Credit not allowed for both WRIT 101 and COM 101. Grading A-F, or NC (no credit). MC: Offered every term. Prereq., WRIT 095 or proof of appropriate SAT/ACT essay, English/Writing, writing section scores, appropriate MUSWA scores, or proof of passing scores on Writing Placement Exam). Expository prose and research paper; emphasis on structure, argument, development of ideas, clarity, style, and diction. Students expected to write without major faults in grammar or usage. Grading A-F, or NC (no credit).
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 70 Total Credits Required

Psychology Requirement

Rule: Take one of these two courses

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description BMGT 216 - Psych of Mgmt & Supervision
Offered autumn. Management theory, research, and the practice of management. Topics covered include leadership styles and techniques, effective communication approaches, time management, decision making, delegation, and the basic functions of supervisory skills.
 4 Credits
Show Description PSYX 100S - Intro to Psychology
Offered every term. Introduction to the scientific study of behavior in humans and other animals. Credit not allowed for both PSY 100S and PSYC 100S.
 4 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 3 Total Credits Required