Course Descriptions
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Paralegal Studies

LEGAL-BAS

The Paralegal Studies BAS program is designed to train students for careers as paralegals in law firms, governmental entities and corporate legal departments. Paralegals work under the supervision of attorneys to provide non-clerical professional support in the delivery of legal services to clients and the community. Paralegals are not licensed to practice law.

Important Notice to Current Baccalaureate Students: To view your specific curriculum requirements please review your individualized Degree Progress Report by logging into MySPC and clicking on the Degree Progress Report link under the Advising headline (in the middle of the page). This report is your OFFICIAL program of study (determined by your catalog year), which means you must satisfy all requirements listed in order to graduate. Please contact your assigned baccalaureate specialist or advisor with any questions.

 APPROVED REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS WITH CATALOG YEAR 20091 (0415) OR LATER


LOWER DIVISION REQUIREMENTS: 
Admission requires an A.S. Degree in Paralegal/ Legal Assisting (up to 60 credits) with at least 15 hours of transferable general education.
    General Education Credits.......................................................15 - 21
    Legal Assisting and Support Courses.......................................39 - 45

Note: Students may be admitted with an A.A. Degree with approval by the Dean.  If general education hours for an A. A. Degree have been completed, the student must complete fifteen (15) credits consisting of the following PLA courses – PLA 1003, PLA 1104, PLA 1763, PLA 2114 and PLA 2203, plus 3 credits of any other lower division PLA course required of an A.S. Degree student totaling 18 credits.

UPPER DIVISION REQUIREMENTS: 
An additional 15-21 general education credits are required to complete the thirty-six (36) general education requirement of St. Petersburg College. Lower and Upper division general education must total a minimum of thirty-six (36) credits.

   Additional General Education Courses (15-21 credits)
   * Enhanced World View Requirement
     A. COMMUNICATIONS 9
     B. HUMANITIES/FINE ARTS 6
     C. MATHEMATICS 6
     D. NATURAL & PHYSICAL SCIENCES 6-7
     E. SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES 6
     F. ETHICS 3
     G. COMPUTER/INFORMATION LITERACY COMPETENCY 


REQUIRED MAJOR COURSES (18 credits) - Grade of C or higher required
PLA 3880 - UNITED STATES CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 3
PLA 4116 - LEGAL WRITING SEMINAR 3
PLA 3723 - LOGIC AND THE LAW 3
PLA 4830 - COMPARATIVE LEGAL SYSTEMS 3
PLA 3700 - SEMINAR IN PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY 3
PLA 3732 - COMPUTERS AND THE LAW OFFICE 3


REQUIRED FINAL COURSE (3 credits) - Grade of C or higher required
Last Semester for ALL Students
PLA 4941 - PARALEGAL STUDIES CAPSTONE 3

ELECTIVES: Select 24 credits - Grade of C or higher required
BUL 3564 - LEGAL ASPECTS OF MANAGING TECHNOLOGY 3
PLA 3240 - ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION 3
PLA 3304 - CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE 3
PLA 3410 - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW 3
PLA 3467 - BANKRUPTCY 3
PLA 3474 - LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW 3
PLA 3563 - INSURANCE LAW 3
PLA 3873 - SECURITIES LAW 3
PLA 4275 - TORT AND PERSONAL INJURY LAW 3
PLA 4404 - COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS 3
PLA 4522 - HEALTH CARE LAW 3
PLA 4554 - ENVIRONMENTAL LAW 3
PLA 4613 - REAL PROPERTY LAW 3
PLA 4806 - FAMILY LAW 3
PLA 4827 - SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT LAW 3
PLA 4843 - IMMIGRATION LAW 3
PLA 4944 - PARALEGAL CERTIFICATE CAPSTONE 3
PLA 4949 - PARALEGAL STUDIES CO-OP WORK EXPERIENCE 1-3

TOTAL PROGRAM HOURS
120
NOTE: All students must meet the College Level Academics Skill (CLAS) competencies prior to graduating. If you have not completed two consecutive years of the same foreign language in high school or 8 credits in college, you will need to complete 8 credits of foreign language before completing the B.A.S. program.
C&I 10/27/09 ~ Pending BOT Approval 12/15/09