Course Descriptions
RequiredBasic Introduction to the Paralegal Profession
This course is an introduction to the paralegal profession that includes basic legal principles, law office procedures, legal business ethics, and diversity in this career choice.
Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing
An integrated approach that teaches basic methods of legal research, analysis, and written support through the identification and limited use of primary and secondary sources.
Civil Practice and Procedure
A general overview of the process by which the legal system operates. Emphasis is placed on civil procedures as opposed to substantive law. Course content is designed to be practical and specific rather than theoretical or philosophical. It is designed to meet the employment and personnel training needs of practicing attorneys, government agencies, and corporations; to enhance the career development of students and those already holding jobs; and to upgrade businesspeople's understanding of the law.
Electives
Legal Documentation and Presentation
This course examines the practical application of legal research in the preparation of legal documents, with emphasis on effective writing, terminology, and format.
Corporations and Partnerships
Various concepts of the corporate and partnership form of doing business are considered, with particular emphasis on their relative advantages and disadvantages, and the mechanics of organization, operation, and dissolution.
Wills, Estates, and Trusts
The basic concepts of estate planning and will preparation are considered. Emphasis is placed on the administration and probation of an estate, including the preparation and filing of federal and state tax returns and other required documents.
Domestic Relations
The grounds for obtaining a divorce or an annulment are analyzed, with particular emphasis on the procedure for procuring each. Also considered are the procurement of support, custody, and adoption, involved, and the resolution of those problems. Course content is designed to be practical and specific rather than theoretical or philosophical. It is designed to meet the employment and personnel training needs of practicing attorneys, government agencies, and corporations; to enhance the career development of students and those already holding jobs; and to upgrade businesspeople’s understanding of the law.
Real Estate
Interests in real estate are classified; rights and duties relative to possession and ownership are identified; and various methods of transfer are discussed. Emphasis is placed on understanding and performing typical real estate procedures, such as title searches, preparation of agreements of sale, deeds and mortgages, and handling real estate closings.
Commercial Law
This course examines the principles of sales, negotiable instruments, and secured transactions. The focus is the Uniform Commercial Code, Articles 1 and 9.
Elder Law
This course deals with the application of traditional legal planning tools—such as wills, trusts, and powers of attorney—to the unique problems of the elderly. It also covers relatively new concepts regarding the problems of the elderly, such as advance directives for health care, the living will, and planning for mental incapacity.
Human Resource Law
This course studies the impact of various laws and conditions affecting employment practices and the workplace. Topics include the Civil Rights Act of 1866; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Americans with Disabilities Act and age and sex discrimination; harassment; privacy rights; affirmative action; the Fair Labor Standards Act; performance appraisals; unemployment compensation; workers' compensation; safety laws; and the National Labor Relations Act.
Health Care Law
This course deals with legal issues in health care. Topics include an introduction to the health care industry; how to deal with participants; professional liability; medical malpractice; government regulation; forms of doing business; insurance; managed care; and special problems relating to the health care industry.
Criminal Law and Procedure
Basic rules, essential elements, legal reasoning, defenses, analysis of specific crimes against persons and property, and a review of crimes against public order of substantive criminal law as set forth in the Pennsylvania Crimes Code.
Debtor's Rights—Creditor's Remedies
Procedures involving collection of delinquent accounts are analyzed in detail, with particular emphasis on the administration of a collections practice and defense available to a debtor. Included is an analysis of bankruptcy law, forms of relief available to a debtor, and recommended actions to be taken on the part of the creditor. Course content is designed to be practical and specific rather than theoretical or philosophical. It is designed to meet the employment and personnel training needs of practicing attorneys, government agencies, and corporations; to enhance the career development of students and those already holding jobs; and to upgrade businesspeople's understanding of the law.
Advanced Legal Documentation and Research
This course requires the student to learn how to prepare selected legal documents by completing actual case assignments dealing with contracts, will complaints, discovery materials, memos, briefs, and regulations. Course content is designed to be practical and specific rather than theoretical or philosophical. It is designed to meet the employment and personnel training needs of practicing attorneys, government agencies, and corporations, to enhance the career development of students and those already holding jobs, and to upgrade businessperson's understanding of the law.
American Constitutional Law: Individual Rights
This course introduces students to the basic constitutional concepts in the U.S. Constitution as interpreted by the Supreme Court, such as freedom of speech and religion, the right to privacy, and equal protection of the law. Although the topics frequently involve controversial issues, the goal of the course is not to convert students to a particular point of view, but rather to expose students to the legal issues involved and to review the development of the law on such topics. Several sessions include class discussion and guest speakers.
Computer Legal Research
This course will enable the student to perform comprehensive legal research and analysis using the Internet. Students will learn how to locate primary and secondary legal research materials; apply advanced search strategies to legal problems; utilize search engines efficiently for law-related searches; and perform cost-effective searches.
Administrative Law
This course introduces students to the field of administrative law and familiarizes them with the practices and procedures used by state and federal regulatory agencies. Primary emphasis is on state agencies.
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