Paralegal and Legal Studies
Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)
Curriculum Requirements
As a student in this program, you are required to complete a minimum of 63 credit hours with a grade point average of no lower than C (2.0). A.A.S. Paralegal requires 70 percent of legal specialty courses be taken at the College. For this degree program, you must successfully complete the following:
Program Core
| ACC-101 | Principles of Financial Accounting | 4 |
| BUS-123 | Business Communications | 3 |
| PLG-100 | Introduction to Legal Practice | 3 |
| PLG-115 | Computers in the Law Office | 3 |
| PLG-125 | Legal Research and Writing I | 3 |
| PLG-210 | Real Property Law and Practice | 3 |
| PLG-225 | Legal Research and Writing II | 3 |
| PLG-230 | Family Law | 3 |
| PLG-235 | Administration of Wills, Trusts and Estates | 3 |
| PLG-240 | Courts and Litigation | 3 |
Complete one of the following:
Complete one of the following:
General Education
| ENG-101 | Composition I | 3 |
| ENG-103 | Composition II | 3 |
| -Oral Communication | SUNY General Education approved course in Oral Communication | 3 |
| -Mathematics | SUNY General Education approved course in Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning) | 3 |
| -Natural Science | SUNY General Education approved course in Natural Science (and Scientific Reasoning) | 3-4 |
| -DEISJ and Social Science | SUNY General Education approved course in both Social Science and Diversity: Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice | 3 |
-
| Approved Electives | 3 |
HPE-
| Health and Physical Education Electives | 2 |
Complete one of the following:
| -US History | SUNY General Education approved course in US History and Civic Engagement | 3 |
-
| Or | |
| -World History | SUNY General Education approved course in World History and Global Awareness | 3 |
Sample Schedule
The schedule below shows how the requirements for this degree may be met in four semesters. For some students, fulfilling degree requirements may take more than four semesters to complete. When planning your schedule, you should consult with your advisor.
First Semester (16 Credit Hours)
| ENG-101 | Composition I | 3 |
| PLG-100 | Introduction to Legal Practice | 3 |
| PLG-125 | Legal Research and Writing I | 3 |
| -Mathematics | SUNY General Education approved course in Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning) | 3 |
| -Oral Communication | SUNY General Education approved course in Oral Communication | 3 |
HPE-
| Health and Physical Education (HPE) Electives | 1 |
SUNY General Education approved course in Mathematics: Except MAT-110.
Second Semester (15-16 Credit Hours)
Third Semester (16 Credit Hours)
| ACC-101 | Principles of Financial Accounting | 4 |
| PLG-115 | Computers in the Law Office | 3 |
| PLG-210 | Real Property Law and Practice | 3 |
| PLG-235 | Administration of Wills, Trusts and Estates | 3 |
-
| General Electives | 3 |
Professional Electives: Any course with prefix PLG, BUS or CJC and BUS-227 Business Law recommended.
Fourth Semester (16 Credit Hours)
| PLG-240 | Courts and Litigation | 3 |
| PLG-250 | Paralegal Internship | 3 |
| -Social Science | SUNY General Education approved course in Social Science | 3 |
HPE-
| Health and Physical Education (HPE) Electives | 1 |
Complete one of the following:
Complete one of the following:
| -US History | SUNY General Education approved course in US History and Civic Engagement | 3 |
-
| Or | |
| -World History | SUNY General Education approved course in World History and Global Awareness | 3 |
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this degree program, students will be able to:
- Interpret and articulate the legal issue posed by a client's fact scenario, along with the answer to that issue.
- Prioritize, integrate, and analyze information to achieve the best outcome for a client.
- Apply the rules of legal ethics in different scenarios encountered in paralegal practice.
- Create appropriate legal documentation required for various legal tasks.
*Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.