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Students
Illinois Articulation Initiative | Cooperative Agreements | Baccalaureate-Transfer Programs

Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies

Associate in Applied Science Degree - PLAS.AAS.C08

The Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies program is designed to train students as legal professionals who have the writing, thinking, and reasoning skills to effectively contribute to a legal organization. Program graduates may find employment opportunities in the judicial system, private law firms, state agencies, legal aid organizations, banks, title insurance companies, corporations and hospitals with corporate legal departments. Program graduates also are generally prepared to enter paralegal baccalaureate programs at selected colleges and universities with junior status.

Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies Major (16 courses)
Credit hours: 45

Complete all four subrequirements:

  1. Paralegal courses - 21 credit hours
    A minimum grade of B is required in PLAS 1103.
    • * PLAS 1103 - Introduction to Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies
    • * PLAS 1123 - Legal Research and Writing I
    • * PLAS 1133 - Legal Research and Writing II
    • * PLAS 1153 - Law Office Management
    • * PLAS 1213 - Civil Litigation
    • * PLAS 2113 - Legal Technology
    • * PLAS 2413 - Paralegal Internship
  2. Business courses - 6 credit hours
    • BSNS 1603 - Business Communications
    • BSNS 1653 - Business Law
  3. Computer Science courses - 6 credit hours
    • * COSC 1352 - Word
    • * COSC 1362 - Access
    • * COSC 1372 - Excel
  4. Paralegal electives - 12 credit hours
    Choose four courses from the following seven options:
    • * PLAS 2213 - Real Estate Law
    • * PLAS 2223 - Estates, Trusts, and Wills
    • * PLAS 2233 - Criminal Litigation
    • * PLAS 2253 - Corporate Law
    • *PLAS 2263 - Family Law
    • *PLAS 2333 - Laws of Evidence
    • * PLAS 2403 - Special Topics in Paralegal Studies

General Education (7 courses)
Credit hours: 21

A minimum grade of C is required in *ENGL 1613 and *ENGL 1623.

  • * ENGL 1613 - English I
  • * ENGL 1623 - English II
  • * SPCH 1553 - Introductory Speech
  • * PLSC 1513 - American Government
  • * HUMS 1513 - Introduction to Humanities

In addition, complete two mathematics courses from the general education course list (see Page 60).

Minimum credit hours required for completion - 66

*Course has prerequisite.

Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies
Associate in Applied Science Degree

Suggested course sequence

Fall
* PLAS 1103 3 cr. hrs.
BSNS 1653 3 cr. hrs.
* COSC 1352 2 cr. hrs.
* ENGL 1613 3 cr. hrs.
* PLSC 1513 3 cr. hrs.
* SPCH 1553 3 cr. hrs.
Spring
* PLAS 1123 3 cr. hrs.
* PLAS 1213 3 cr. hrs.
BSNS 1603 3 cr. hrs.
* COSC 1362 2 cr. hrs.
* ENGL 1623 3 cr. hrs.
Mathematics course 3 cr. hrs.
Summer
* PLAS 1153 3 cr. hrs.
* COSC 1372 2 cr. hrs.
Fall
* PLAS 1133 3 cr. hrs.
* PLAS 2113 3 cr. hrs.
* HUMS 1513 3 cr. hrs.
Paralegal/Legal Assistant electives 6 cr. hrs.
Spring
* PLAS 2413 3 cr. hrs.
Paralegal/Legal Assistant electives 6 cr. hrs.
Mathematics course 3 cr. hrs.

Program Note

In many states, paralegals and legal assistants can carry out any function that lawyers perform with three notable exceptions: setting legal fees, giving legal advice to clients, and representing clients in court proceedings. Paralegals and legal assistants work directly under an attorney's supervision, unless otherwise authorized by statute, court rules or agency regulations permitting paralegals to provide assistance directly to the public.

Additional program information

A transfer agreement with at least one four-year college or university exists for this A.A.S. program. Students should consult an adviser for more information.

Advanced Certificate in Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies - PLAS.CRT.C52

The 36 credit-hour Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies certificate program is designed for students with a bachelor's degree and appropriate writing and computer experience to enhance their college coursework. Program graduates may find employment opportunities in the judicial system, private law firms, state agencies, legal aid organizations, banks, title insurance companies, corporations and hospitals with corporate legal departments.

Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies Certificate Major (12 courses)
Credit hours: 36

Complete all three subrequirements:

  1. Business courses - 6 credit hours
    • BSNS 1603 - Business Communications
    • BSNS 1653 - Business Law
  2. Paralegal courses - 21 credit hours
    A minimum grade of B is required in PLAS 1103.
    • * PLAS 1103 - Introduction to Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies
    • * PLAS 1123 - Legal Research and Writing I
    • * PLAS 1213 - Civil Litigation
    • * PLAS 1153 - Law Office Management
    • * PLAS 1133 - Legal Research and Writing II
    • * PLAS 2113 - Legal Technology
    • * PLAS 2413 - Paralegal Internship
  3. Paralegal electives - 9 credit hours
    CHOOSE THREE courses from the following seven options:
    • * PLAS 2213 - Real Estate Law
    • * PLAS 2223 - Estates, Trusts, and Wills
    • * PLAS 2233 - Criminal Litigation
    • * PLAS 2253 - Corporate Law
    • *PLAS 2263 - Family Law
    • *PLAS 2333 - Laws of Evidence
    • * PLAS 2403 - Special Topics in Paralegal Studies

Minimum credit hours required for completion - 36

*Course has prerequisite.

Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies
Advanced Certificate

Suggested course sequence

Fall
* PLAS 1103 3 cr. hrs.
BSNS 1603 3 cr. hrs.
BSNS 1653 3 cr. hrs.
Spring
* PLAS 1123 3 cr. hrs.
* PLAS 1213 3 cr. hrs.
Summer
* PLAS 1153 3 cr. hrs.
Fall
* PLAS 1133 3 cr. hrs.
* PLAS 2113 3 cr. hrs.
* Elective 3 cr. hrs.
Spring
* PLAS 2413 3 cr. hrs.
* Electives 6 cr. hrs.

Program Note

In many states, paralegals and legal assistants can carry out any function that lawyers perform with three notable exceptions: setting legal fees, giving legal advice to clients, and representing clients in court proceedings. Paralegals and legal assistants work directly under an attorney's supervision, unless otherwise authorized by statute, court rules or agency regulations permitting paralegals to provide assistance directly to the public.