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Legal Studies – Paralegal (LSPAO)

Award: Associate in applied science degree

Program location: South Omaha Campus

This degree option prepares paralegals for entry-level employment in law-related occupations including public and private law practice or corporate/government activities related to law.  It enables graduates to pursue further education at the college junior level.

Graduates are qualified to:

  • perform basic legal research and supporting memoranda using both computerized and manual search methods;
  • draft correspondence, pleadings, contracts, and other legal documents appropriately for attorney use; and
  • prioritize and complete work assignments in a timely, professional, and ethical manner.

Although graduates are not authorized to provide direct legal services to the public, they are authorized to perform substantive legal work under the direct supervision of a lawyer. This program does not train lawyers or legal administrators.

This program has special admission requirements. Interested individuals should contact Student Services or the program director for details.

Graduation Requirements

General education

27.0

Major requirements

36.0

Option requirements

17.0

Electives

22.5

Total credit hours required

102.5

Paralegal Program Admission

The Paralegal program has special admission requirements. The application process includes the completion of both LAWS 1100 and LAWS 1101 with grades of C or better and the submission of the Paralegal Program Application with original high school transcripts or GED documentation. Students are notified as to their acceptance into the program.

Students are advised to work closely with Jo Wandel (or program advisor, Tamara Fisher) to make sure that they are registered for classes at the most beneficial time for graduation from the program. Students should not complete all of their general education requirements before starting the Paralegal program.

Paralegal Program Application

Paralegal Program PowerPoint Presentation

The file is quite large, so it may take a moment to load in your browser.

General education requirements

See General education requirements for Legal Studies

Major requirements for Legal Studies

See Major requirements for Legal Studies

Option requirements for Legal Studies – Paralegal (17.0 credit hrs.)

LAWS 1100The Paralegal Profession

4.5

LAWS 1110Litigation

4.5

LAWS 2981Internship I

4.0

LAWS 2982Internship II

4.0

Elective requirements for Legal Studies – Paralegal (22.5 credit hrs.)

Select 22.5 credit hours from the following:

ACCT 1070Individual Income Tax Accounting

4.0

OR

BSAD 1110Business Law IIONLINE

4.5

OR

REES 1100Real Estate LawONLINE

4.5

LAWS 2320Torts

4.5

LAWS 2322Family Law

4.5

LAWS 2323Employment Law

4.5

LAWS 2325Bankruptcy, Credit, and Collections Law

4.5

LAWS 2326Evidence and Discovery

4.5

LAWS 2327Immigration Law

4.5

LAWS 2420Estate Administration

4.5

LAWS 2421Insurance Law

4.5

LAWS 2422Law of Corporations

4.5

Legal-specialty courses taken at another college are transferred only if they are from an ABA-approved program with substantially the same content, are for the same or more earned credit hours, and earned a grade of C or better. Credit is not available by portfolio or written examination.

Curriculum Plan

Below is a suggested guide for students planning to complete associate degrees in Legal Studies – Paralegal after two years of full-time study.

First Year

First quarter

INFO 1001Information Systems and LiteracyONLINEHYBRID

4.5

ENGL 1010English Composition IONLINEHYBRID

4.5

PHIL 1100Critical ReasoningONLINE

4.5

Total Credit Hours:13.5

Second quarter

ENGL 1020English Composition IIONLINEHYBRID

4.5

POLS 2050American National GovernmentONLINE

4.5

OR

POLS 2060The ConstitutionONLINE

4.5

SPCH 1110Public SpeakingONLINEHYBRID

4.5

Total Credit Hours:13.5

Third quarter

LAWS 1100The Paralegal Profession

4.5

LAWS 1101Introduction to Law

4.5

MATH 1410StatisticsONLINE

4.5

Total Credit Hours:13.5

Fourth quarter

BSAD 1100Business Law IONLINE

4.5

HMRL 1010Human Relations SkillsONLINEHYBRID

4.5

LAWS 1110Litigation

4.5

LAWS 1111Microsoft Word for the Law OfficeONLINE

4.5

Total Credit Hours:18.0

Second Year

Paralegal electives should be taken during the second year of study.

Fifth quarter

Elective

4.5

LAWS 1230Legal Research and Writing I

4.5

LAWS 2324Criminal Law and Procedures

4.5

Total Credit Hours:13.5

Sixth quarter

Elective

4.5

Elective

4.5

LAWS 2240Legal Research and Writing II

4.5

Total Credit Hours:13.5

Seventh quarter

Elective

4.5

LAWS 2982Internship II

4.0

Total Credit Hours:8.5

Eighth quarter

Elective

4.5

LAWS 2981Internship I

4.0

Total Credit Hours:8.5

The Paralegal option is approved by the American Bar Association.