Paralegal Course Descriptions 

A prerequisite to all paralegal classes, this course provides students with a historical and sociological perspective of the law. The methods and processes of judicial, administrative and legislative branches of government as they relate to the legal assistant are studied. The basic terminology and procedures of the legal system in New York are covered. An introduction to legal research assists students in analyzing cases, writing briefs, and making presentations. Ethical standards of the law profession are included. Class hrs. 3.

This course introduces paralegals to methods of finding the law applicable to a specific legal issue. Students learn legal research principles; the types of law books used in research, their scope, citation methods; interpreting case and statutory law as well as other legal authority and annotations. Students learn to use government publications. In all areas of research, students are required to organize legal research and findings and present their ideas in written and oral format. This course involves intensive legal writing. Class hrs. 3. Prerequisite: PRLGL 101 Introduction to Paralegal Studies.

This course prepares the prospective paralegal to assist attorneys in the practice of marriage law and preparation of documents related to the most common legal aspects of marriage. Marriage relationships, legal problems with children, dissolution of marriage, custody, legitimacy, adoption, guardianship, and support agreements are studied. Students write the most common legal agreements and marriage/family related documents. Class hrs. 3. Prerequisite: PRLGL 101 Introduction to Paralegal Studies. Offered spring semester.

Students are introduced to the use of litigation as the process for resolving disputes through the court system. In addition to an overview of the litigation process, students learn the court procedures involved with litigation and methods by which paralegals assist attorneys in the process. This course involves intensive legal writing. Students complete a portfolio of legal documents related to litigation. Class hrs. 3. Prerequisite: PRLGL 101 Introduction to Paralegal Studies. Offered fall semester.

This course explores laws which pertain to business form and structure. Primary attention is directed to different legal types of partnership forms as well as legal corporate structures. Students learn to prepare the legal documentation needed to form, maintain, and dissolve the primary legal entities of business. Class hrs. 3. Prerequisite: PRLGL 101 Introduction to Paralegal Studies. Offered fall semester.

This course prepares the prospective paralegal to prepare legal documents related to the planning and administration of trusts, the administering of estates, and asset distribution. Topics covered in depth include wills, probate and taxes. Students learn to prepare legal documents most commonly related to these topics, such as wills, petitions for probate, citations, waivers, notice of probate, and probate attorney’s affidavit. Class hrs. 3. Prerequisite: PRLGL 101 Introduction to Paralegal Studies. Offered spring semester.

This course provides paralegals with an introduction to the general nature of tort law and allows for the specific analysis of intentional and other torts. Students prepare Office Memorandum of Law in conformity with the requirements of such memoranda. Students also prepare a Complaint and Bill of Particulars based on provided fact patterns. Class hrs. 3. Prerequisite: PRLGL 101 Introduction to Paralegal Studies. Offered spring semester.

This course provides basic knowledge of real property law, its concepts, its principles, and the government regulations regarding real property. Students learn to use the documents and forms utilized in closings on houses, cooperatives, and condominiums. Students learn to draft most of the documents needed in a real estate closing. Students may participate in a mock closing at the end of each semester. Class hrs. 3. Prerequisite: PRLGL 101 Introduction to Paralegal Studies. Offered spring semester.

This course is an introduction to criminal law and procedure for paralegals. Emphasis is placed on practical aspects of prosecuting and defending criminal law cases. For example, students learn procedural steps from arrest to trial, but, attention is also given to the nature and origins of criminal law and the role of crime in American society today. The student learns legal terminology, case analysis and briefing and continues to develop writing skills. Class hrs. 3. Prerequisite: PRLGL 101 Introduction to Paralegal Studies. Offered spring semester.

Students develop the conceptual, technical, and interpersonal skills required to apply technology and principles of management and supervision to manage information and personnel in an automated law office environment. Course includes hands-on experience with word processing, database, spreadsheet, PowerPoint, and law specific software. Class hrs. 2; Lab hrs. 2. Prerequisite: PRLGL 101 Introduction to Paralegal Studies.

This course is an introduction to immigration law and policy in an historical and constitutional context with emphasis on paralegal skills training and practice. It covers the categorization of immigrants and non-immigrants, admission and deportations procedures, asylum and refugees, and citizenship. A major component of the course is the application of knowledge to specific legal issues, real and hypothetical. Class hrs. 3. Prerequisite: PRLGL 101 Introduction to Paralegal Studies. Offered summer semester.

This course provides students with an opportunity to apply their paralegal theory and skills in an actual legal setting, working eight hours per week and completing a portfolio which describes what has been learned. A faculty mentor monitors the work experience. Prerequisite: permission of the Curriculum or Department Chair to register for this course. Class hrs. 3.

This is an introductory course in the specialty field of Medical Malpractice. It combines health sciences and paralegal backgrounds in an attempt to enhance the skills of students in both fields. The class covers basic tort law with medical malpractice litigation. Emphasis is placed on substantive knowledge of law and medicine with skills of legal research and medical record reading. A major component of the course is the application of knowledge to specific legal issues, real, and hypothetical. Class hrs. 3. Prerequisite: PRLGL 101 Introduction to Paralegal Studies or permission of Curriculum Chair. Offered fall semester.

This is an introductory course in the specialty field of Health Care Law. The student learns how legal and social institutions interact with life and death issues. Areas of study include legal problems of the elderly and mental health, AIDS and the law, health care financial and delivery systems, federal vs. state law, the privatization of health care facilities, and the marketing of health care providers. The course also focuses on the ethical questions of health care and public policy. Class hrs. 3. Prerequisite: PRLGL 101 Introduction to Paralegal Studies or permission of Curriculum Chair. Not offered every semester.

This is an introductory course in the growing field of Elder Law, which focuses on the legal and financial implications of aging. Legal areas such as estate planning and probate, age discrimination, durable powers of attorney, right-to-die issues, trusts, disability planning, elder abuse, guardianship, fraud, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are covered. The student learns how legal and social institutions interact with life and death issues. Particular attention is paid to ethical questions and the intersection of law and public policy in defining and meeting the needs of the elderly. Class hrs. 3. PRLGL 101 Introduction to Paralegal Studies. Not offered every semester.

This course is an introduction to intellectual property law and policy in a national and international context with emphasis on paralegal skills training and practice. It covers the areas of trademark, copyright, and patent law with special emphasis on the most recent legislation in the United States and the United Nations and on the impact of technology. A major component of the course is the application of knowledge to specific legal issues, real and hypothetical. Class hrs. 3. PRLGL 101 Introduction to Paralegal Studies. Offered summer semester.

This course explores laws which pertain to contracts, contract formation and their enforcement. Primary attention is focused on different methods of forming contracts, typical key provisions of common commercial agreements, negotiation and drafting of same and administration of such contracts once executed. Students learn to negotiate and draft commonly negotiated provisions, complete certain UCC documentation, create and use checklists and prepare contract summaries. Class hrs. 3. Prerequisite: PRLGL 101 Introduction to Paralegal Studies. Offered fall semester.