Curriculum

The Paralegal (Legal Assisting) Studies Program prepares students to get inside the law and work as a paralegal or other legal professional. Paralegals work side-by-side and under the supervision of an attorney (paralegals cannot practice law). The faculty, who are all attorneys, is committed to providing our students with the real world skills needed to succeed in today's legal market. These skills include: proficiency in legal research, writing and analysis; using computer-based research tools; learning court rules and procedures; drafting legal documents; understanding corporate transactions; interviewing clients; discovery; and preparing for trial.

The Program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), the gold standard for paralegal programs.

The Program offers both the initial Bachelor of Science and Second Bachelor's Degrees. The Program welcomes transfer students and has articulation agreements with many community colleges, which allows students to transfer certain courses specific to the Paralegal program. Eastern Michigan University is the only university in the country that sponsors an attorney-supervised legal clinic for its paralegal students, who work inside courthouses helping members of the public with court forms.

The Paralegal Studies Program follows a Program Admission Policy. This Policy is described in the University Catalog and can be found under Policies & Procedures. The Program Admission Policy requires that a student first complete Introduction to Paralegalism (LEGL 211), with a grade of "B-" or better and Legal Writing & Research (LEGL 304W), with a grade of "C+" or better, and be admitted to the Program before taking the remaining core legal (LEGL) courses.

Second Bachelor's Degree Curriculum

Second Bachelor's Degree students must complete a minimum of 50 semester hours of study. These hours consist of the same 33 semester hour legal core required for undergraduates and the 11 hours of the technology core. In addition, to complete the Second Bachelor's Degree, students must take a minimum of six semester hours of Program restricted electives.

General Education Requirements 40 Credit Hours
 
Additional Requirements 6 Credit Hours
One pairing from either of the following:
Either ECON 201 and ECON 202
or
SOCL 105 and SOCL 201
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Major Requirements 69 Credit Hours
Note: Students are responsible for completing all prerequisites listed.
Required Courses 33 Credit Hours
LEGL 211

LEGL 304W






LEGL 212
LEGL 305
LEGL 311
LEGL 313
LEGL 400

LEGL 404
LEGL 405
LEGL 406
LEGL 416		 Introduction to Paralegalism & Legal Terminology (Grade of "B-" or better required)
Legal Writing & Research I (Grade of "C+" or better required)
(Prereq ENGL 121 (Grade of "B" or better), BMMT 123, LEGL 211)

The remaining LEGL core courses below require the successful completion of LEGL 211 and LEGL 304W, Program Admission and completion of any prereqs.

Law Office Administration & Technology (Prereq BMMT 123, BMMT 201)
Legal Writing & Research II (Prereq LEGL 211, LEGL 304W BMMT 201)
Probate, Estates, and Wills (Prereq LEGL 211, LEGL 304W)
Family Law (Prereq LEGL 211, LEGL 304W)
Legal Writing & Research III (Formerly LEGL 306; Prereq LEGL 305,
BMMT 201)
Court Rules, Forms, & Drafting Contracts (Prereq LEGL 211, LEGL 304W)
Civil Litigation & Procedure I (Prereq LEGL 211, LEGL 304W)
Civil Litigation & Procedure II (Prereq LEGL 211, LEGL 304W)
Legal Assistant Internship (Prereq LEGL 211, LEGL 304W, LEGL 305, LEGL 404, LEGL 405, program permission)

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Restricted University Elective Courses 21 Credit Hours

LEGL 315

LEGL 320
LEGL 415
LEGL 417

LEGL 418
LEGL 474
LEGL 479
BMMT 220
CTAC 357

LAW 293
LAW 393
LAW 403
LAW 455
PHIL 355
PLSC 301
PLSC 312
PLSC 341
PLSC 385
PLSC 412
PLSC 456		 21 hours from law-related courses, including:
Land Transactions & Real Estate (Prereq LEGL 211, LAW 293,
sophomore standing)
Cyber Law and Compliance
Bankruptcy Law (Prereq LEGL 304W)
Legal Resource Center (LRC) Clinical Experience (Prereq LEGL 211,
LEGL 304W, LEGL 404, program permission)
Women and the Law
Clinical Training
Disability Law (Prereq LEGL 211)
Word Information Processing (Prereq BMMT 123)
Interviewing as Communication (Prereqs CTAS 124 or
department permission)
Legal Environment of Business
Law of Business Enterprises (Prereq LAW 293)
Employment Law
International Law (Department permission)
Philosophy of Law
The American Legal System
American Constitutional Law I
International Law
Judicial Processes and Behavior
Comparative Legal Systems
Criminal Law
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Business and Information Processing Core 15 Credit Hours
ACC 240
BMMT 201
BMMT 396
BMMT 496
STS 224		 Principles of Accounting
Microcomputers for Business Applications
Information and Media Administration
Records Administration Using Database
Solving Quantitative Problems in Technology

(To see course descriptions visit the Course Catalog)
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Minor Requirements None
   
University Elective Courses 9 Credit Hours
   
Program Total 124 Credit Hours