Parlegal Studies

Associate of Applied Science Degree

(575) 527-7642

If you have an interest in the law and how it affects individuals and society as a whole, then a career as a paralegal could be an excellent choice for you. Paralegals enjoy the intellectual challenge of assisting attorneys in finding legal solutions for their clients’ problems.

A precise description of the paralegal’s role is found in the New Mexico Supreme Court’s definition in the Rules Governing Paralegal Services (Rule 20-102A), which states that a paralegal is one who:

1. contracts with or is employed by an attorney, law firm, corporation, governmental agency or other entity;
2. performs substantive legal work under the supervision of a licensed attorney who assumes professional responsibility for the final work product; and
3. meets one or more of the education, training or work experience qualifications set forth in Rule 20-115 NMRA of these rules; ...

In the same Rules mentioned previously, the Court’s examples of substantive legal work include, “case planning, development and management; legal research and analysis; interviewing clients; fact gathering and retrieving information; drafting legal documents; collecting, compiling, and utilizing technical information to make an independent decision and recommendation to the supervising attorney; and representing clients before a state or federal administrative agency if that representation is authorized by law.” (Rule 20-102B NMRA)

The DACC Paralegal Studies program focuses on developing skills necessary to perform substantive legal work. Examples of courses leading to that end include Litigation, Legal Research and Writing, Interviewing and Investigation, Virtual Law Office, Legal Ethics, and Torts. Through classroom instruction (including practical exercises and assignments), computer lab practice, and an internship/cooperative experience, students gain essential skills, as well as a broad background in many different areas of law.

Graduates of the Paralegal Studies program are eligible to apply to take the national certification examination offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). Those who successfully complete this two-day exam are designated Certified Legal Assistants (CLA).

The employment outlook for paralegals is good. Program graduates are employed with private firms, various courts, community legal services, state and federal governmental agencies (e.g., Human Services Departments, public defenders, and district attorneys), as well as a variety of businesses.

Associate Degree (66 credits)

NOTE: Students must pass ENGL 111G and all PL S courses with a minimum grade of C. Courses appearing in italics are identical to those offered at New Mexico State University Las Cruces (main) Campus.

Core Requirements      19 Credits

OR	MATH 120MATH 120: Intermediate Algebra - 3 cr. Linear and algebraic functions as they arise in real world problems. Exponential and logarithmic functions. Equations and inequalities and their solutions considered symbolically, graphically and numerically. Prerequisite: adequate score on the Mathematics Placement Examination (see note above.) – Intermediate Algebra BOT 106BOT 106: Business Mathematics - 3 cr. (2+2P) Mathematical applications for business, including training in the touch method of the 10-key calculator. Prerequisite: CCDM 103N or adequate score on math placement exam. – Business Mathematics	3
	COMM 265GCOMM 265G: Principles of Human Communication - 3 cr. Study and practice of interpersonal, small group, and presentational skills essential to effective social, business, and professional interaction. – Principles of Human Communication	3
OR	ECON 251GECON 251G: Principles of Macroeconomics - 3 cr. Macroeconomic theory and public policy: national income concepts, unemployment, inflation, economic growth, and international payment problems. – Principles of Macroeconomics ECON 252GECON 252G: Principles of Microeconomics - 3 cr. Microeconomic theory and public policy: supply and demand, theory of the firm, market allocation of resources, income distribution, competition and monopoly, governmental regulation of businesses and unions. – Principles of Microeconomics	3
	ENGL 111GENGL 111G: Rhetoric and Composition - 4 cr. Skills and methods used in writing university-level essays. Prerequisite: ACT standard score in English of 16 or higher during regular semester (20 or above during summer) or successful completion of a developmental writing course or the equivalent. – Rhetoric and Composition	4
	GOVT 100GGOVT 100G: American National Government - 3 cr. U.S. constitutional system; legislative, executive and judicial processes; popular and group influence. – American National Government	3
OR	PSY 201GPSY 201G: Introduction to Psychology - 3 cr. (3+3P) Methods and principles of behavior. Topics include human evolution and development, biopsychology, perception, learning, thinking, motivation, social interaction, and the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal behavior. – Introduction to Psychology SOC 101GSOC 101G: Introductory Sociology - 3 cr. Introduction to social theory, research, methods of analysis, contemporary issues in historical and cross-cultural contexts. Covers groups, deviance, inequality, family, gender, social change, and collective behavior. – Introductory Sociology BMGT 240BMGT 240: Human Relations - 3 cr. Human interactions in business and industrial settings. Motivation and learning experiences as related to problems of the worker and supervisor. Practical applications of human behavior. Prerequisite(s): CCDE 105N or higher or BOT 105 or higher. Restricted to: Community College campuses only. – Human Relations	3

Related Requirements      13-14 Credits

OR	BMGT 201BMGT 201: Work Readiness and Preparation - 2 cr. Instruction in methods of selection, seeking, acquiring and retaining employment. Addresses work success skills, business etiquette, employer expectation and workplace norms. Restricted to: Community College campuses only. – Work Readiness and Preparation BMGT 202BMGT 202: Career Management - 1 cr. Developing and implementing career plans through decision making framework to gain personal success and satisfaction within today's social and global workforce. Consent of instructor required. Restricted to: Community College campuses only. – Career Management	1-2
OR	C S 110C S 110: Computer Literacy - 3 cr. Evolution and application of computers; economic and social implications; introduction to programming on microcomputers. – Computer Literacy OECS 105OECS 105: Introduction to Microcomputer Technology - 3 cr. History and impact of computers on the economy and society. Development of basic skills in operating systems, word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. – Introduction to Microcomputer Technology	3
OR	ACCT 252ACCT 252: Financial Accounting - 3 cr. Interpretation and use of financial accounting information for making financing, investing, and operating decisions. Prerequisite: ACCT 251 strongly suggested. – Financial Accounting BOT 120BOT 120: Accounting Procedures I - 3 cr. (2+2P) Business accounting principles and procedures. Use of special journals, cash control, and merchandising concepts. Reports for sole proprietorships. – Accounting Procedures I	3
OR OR	ENGL 203GENGL 203G: Business and Professional Communication - 3 cr. Effective writing for courses and careers in business, law, government, and other professions. Strategies for researching and writing correspondence and reports, with an emphasis on understanding and responding to a variety of communication tasks with a strong purpose, clear organization, and vigorous professional style. – Business and Professional Communication ENGL 218GENGL 218G: Technical and Scientific Communication - 3 cr. Effective writing for courses and careers in sciences, engineering, and agriculture. Strategies for understanding and presenting technical information for various purposes to various audiences. – Technical and Scientific Communication BOT 209BOT 209: Business and Technical Communications - 3 cr. Effective written communication skills and techniques for career success in the work place. Composition of letters, memos, short reports, forms, and proposals, and technical descriptions and directions. Prerequisites: ENGL 111G and computer keyboarding ability or consent of instructor. – Business and Technical Communications	3
	BOT 211BOT 211: Information Processing I - 3 cr. (2+2P) Defining and applying fundamental information processing concepts and techniques using the current version of leading software. Prerequisites: Keyboarding proficiency as demonstrated through completion of BOT 122, BOT 123, and BOT 124 or BOT 101 or equivalent. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits under different subtitles listed in the Schedule of Classes. – Information Processing I	3

Technical Requirements      33-34 Credits

	PL S 160PL S 160: Legal System for the Paralegal - 3 cr. Introduction to the court system, administrative agencies, functions of law offices, and professional conduct and legal ethics. – Legal System for the Paralegal	3
	PL S 180PL S 180: Constitutional Law for the Paralegal - 3 cr. Case standing of the law of the Constitution and Bill of Rights with regard to day-to-day applications in the law practice. Documents dealing with constitutional problems in both civil and criminal areas of law will be drafted and discussed. Prerequisite: PL S 160. – Constitutional Law for the Paralegal	3
	PL S 190PL S 190: Criminal Law for the Paralegal - 3 cr. Introduction to federal and state criminal law; criminal proceedings, prosecution and defense, sentencing and appeal. Prerequisite: PL S 160. – Criminal Law for the Paralegal	3
*	PL S 221PL S 221: Cooperative Experience I - 2-4 cr. Student employed in approved work site; supervised and rated by employer and instructor. Each credit requires specified number of hours of on-the-job work experience. Prerequisite: PL S 274. Restricted to majors. – Cooperative Experience I	2-4
*	PL S 222PL S 222: Cooperative Experience II - 1-3 cr. Continuation of PL S 221. Each credit requires specified number of hours of on-the-job work experience. Prerequisite: PL S 221. Restricted to majors. – Cooperative Experience II	0-4
*	PL S 221 and 222 are restricted to PL S majors. A maximum of 6 credits of PL S 221 and 222 may be applied toward a degree.
	PL S 231PL S 231: The Law of Commerce for the Paralegal - 3 cr. Law of agency, commercial paper, personal property, consumer rights. Student will study and draft documents relevant to these fields and consider their application and use in routine law practice. Prerequisite: PL S 160. – The Law of Commerce for the Paralegal	3
	PL S 274PL S 274: Legal Research and Writing for the Paralegal I - 3 cr. Legal memoranda, briefs, and pleadings will be prepared and written based on the student s original research. Research materials and techniques will be identified and studied; introduction of computer usage in legal research. Prerequisite: PL S 160 and ENGL 111G. – Legal Research and Writing for the Paralegal I	3
	PL S 275PL S 275: Tort and Insurance for the Paralegal - 3 cr. Primary legal principles of tort and insurance law and means of establishing insurance plans, types of torts and insurance, as well as use of specific forms and procedures relating to these areas. Prerequisite: PL S 160. – Tort and Insurance for the Paralegal	3
	PL S 278PL S 278: Litigation for the Paralegal - 3 cr. The law of procedure and evidence will be considered through rules and cases. Case situations will be used to identify and solve problems. Prerequisite: PL S 160. – Litigation for the Paralegal	3
	PL S 279PL S 279: Legal Research and Writing for the Paralegal II - 3 cr. Continuation of PL S 274. Advanced training in legal research problems with a focus on analysis, writing, and preparation of sophisticated legal memoranda and documents. Prerequisite: PL S 274. – Legal Research and Writing for the Paralegal II	3
	PL S 280PL S 280: Interviewing and Investigation for the Paralegal - 3 cr. Techniques of legal interviewing and investigation with emphasis on development of human relations and communication skills. Prerequisite: PL S 160. – Interviewing and Investigation for the Paralegal	3
	PL S approved electives	3-5