Paralegal Studies A.A.S.
Minimum Requirements for Paralegal A.A.S.: 60 credits
Note: The program curriculum is approved by the American Bar Association. Graduates are not authorized to provide direct legal services to the public. The paralegal studies program provides training for paralegals who are authorized to perform substantive legal work under the supervision of a lawyer. The program does not train lawyers or legal administrators.
Students must earn a C- grade or better in each course.
| Credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| General University Requirements | ||
| Complete the general university requirements. | ||
| A.A.S. Degree Requirements | ||
| Complete the A.A.S. degree requirements. | 15 | |
| Paralegal Program Requirements | ||
| Complete the following: | ||
| JUST F110X | Introduction to Justice | 3 |
Or any Social Science GER course | ||
| PLS F102 | Introduction to Paralegal Studies | 3 |
| PLS F105 | Ethics for Paralegals | 3 |
| PLS F201 | Practical Paralegal Skills | 3 |
| PLS F210 | Civil Procedure | 3 |
| PLS F240 | Family Law | 3 |
| PLS F260 | Legal Technology | 3 |
| PLS F270 | U.S. Constitution and Society for Paralegals | 3 |
| PLS F280 | Legal Research and Writing for Paralegals | 3 |
| PLS F285 | Advanced Legal Writing | 3 |
| PLS F299 | Paralegal Studies Internship | 3 |
| Complete four of the following: | 12 | |
| Torts | ||
| Criminal Law for Paralegals | ||
| Contracts/Real Property | ||
| Business Law | ||
| Employment Law | ||
| Probate Law | ||
Elective | Any F200-level or higher JUST course | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Note: Students interested in the paralegal studies degree should consult the program coordinator before enrolling in paralegal courses. Transfer credits for paralegal courses completed at other institutions are subject to approval by the program coordinator. No more than 15 credit hours of paralegal courses completed at other institutions will be applied toward completion of the A.A.S. degree in paralegal studies at UAF.
Roadmaps
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PLS F10220 | 3 | COM F121X, F131X, or F141X9 | 3 |
| WRTG F111X9 | 3 | PLS F10520 | 3 |
| Degree Requirement - Computation | 3 | PLS F20120 | 3 |
| Degree Requirement - Human Relations | 3 | Program Elective | 3 |
| Complete one of the following:20 | 3 | Complete one of the following:9 | 3 |
JUST F110X (*) | |||
Or any Social Science GER course | |||
WRTG F212X (*) | |||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PLS F21020 | 3 | PLS F28520 | 3 |
| PLS F24020 | 3 | PLS F29920 | 3 |
| PLS F26020 | 3 | Program Elective | 3 |
| PLS F27020 | 3 | Program Elective | 3 |
| PLS F28020 | 3 | Program Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 60 | |||
Footnote Definitions
| General Education Requirements | Degree Requirements | Program & Other Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| 1--Communication | 8--Alaska Native-themed | 20--Program Requirement |
| 2--Arts | 9--Communication | 21--Capstone Requirement |
| 3--Humanities | 10--Computation | 22--Concentration Course |
| 4--Social Sciences | 11--Ethics | 23--General Elective |
| 5--Additional Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences | 12--Humanities | 24--Minor Course |
| 6--Mathematics | 13--Human Relations | 25--Upper Division |
| 7--Natural Sciences | 14--Humanities or Social Sciences | 26--Program Elective |
| 15--Library & Information Research | ||
| 16--Mathematics | ||
| 17--Natural Sciences | ||
| 18--Other | ||
| 19--Social Sciences |
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes are specific, measurable statements that define the knowledge and skills students will gain by the end of the program.
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Perform legal research using both print and computer-assisted methods
- Produce professional-quality documents, including letters, fact memorandum, pleadings, contracts, wills and similar documents
- Conduct client and witness interviews
- Engage in basic fact-finding and investigation
- Assist in case management, discovery and trial preparation
- Apply substantive and procedural law to a reasoned analysis of the matter
- Recognize the ethical obligations of a paralegal and conduct oneself accordingly
- Demonstrate proficiency in the use of legal technology, including electronic filing, case management and billing software
