PLA 4944 - Paralegal Certificate Capstone

College of Policy, Ethics and Legal Studies

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 45
Effective Term Spring 2012 (450)

Requisites

(Admission to Paralegal Studies (Bachelor of Applied Science) (LEGAL-BAS) or
Admission to Paralegal Studies (Certificate with Financial Aid Eligibility) (LEGAL-CT)) and
Prerequisite Permission of the Program

Course Description

This is the capstone course for the Paralegal Studies Certificate Program. It will provide the opportunity for the student to demonstrate that he/she has learned both the theoretical material and practical skills from the certificate courses and can sufficiently apply them to the Certified Legal Assisting examination. It must be taken during the student’s last session of the certificate program. A substantive review of the CLA examination topics will be covered along with practice examinations. The student will also develop a professional portfolio which is representative of the work product and assignments completed throughout the certificate courses.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will be proficient with legal terminology by:
    1. explaining the various legal concepts and terms in his/her project of selected area of specialty.
  2. The student will demonstrate competent writing and oral communications skills by:
    1. completing exercises in major areas of human relations and interviewing techniques.
    2. identifying his/her approach to resolving problems in word usage, grammar, punctuation, and editing skills.
    3. identifying his/her approach in judgment and analytical skills.
  3. The student will have a thorough knowledge of the American legal system and the federal court systems by:
    1. identifying his/her approach to a specific problem, within the major areas tested on the CLA examination.
  4. The student will demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and competencies in specialized areas of the law by:
    1. identifying his/her approach to a specific problem, within the major areas tested on the CLA examination.
    2. completing competency examinations in preparation for the CLA examination.
  5. The student will be proficient with ethical responsibilities of legal professionals by:
    1. demonstrating competency with the canons of legal ethics and areas of liability for professional malpractice.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

C&I 9/25/07, BOT 11/20/07, eff20072(0390). Was 41XX; State approved as 4944.
C&I Approval: 09/16/2011, BOT Approval: 10/01/2011, Effective Term: Spring 2012 (450)

Related Programs

  1. Paralegal Studies (LEGAL-CT) (580) (Active)