Online Paralegal Studies Associate's Degree - Curriculum

Program Goal and Outcomes

Program Goal

The Paralegal Associate's Degree program is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions as paralegals or legal assistants by providing a broad college-level curriculum. The program also serves to meet requirements for promotions and additional careers, while providing a strong foundation for further training.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to...

Demonstrate effective written and interpersonal communication skills
Demonstrate a high level of inquiry, analytical, and problem-solving skills
Demonstrate effective quantitative skills
Demonstrate computer and information literacy
Demonstrate an understanding of the liberal arts, natural sciences, and social sciences
Discuss the legal system in the United States, including the origins and history of the law and the development of common law, statutory law, and constitutional law
Understand when communications with clients and others are privileged and how to avoid conflicts of interest
Recognize and use legal terminology appropriately
Recognize ethical violations and understand ethical rules that regulate conduct of lawyers and paralegals
Identify the paralegal's role in the interview process and discuss proper investigation techniques, including interviewing clients and witnesses and understanding types of testamentary evidence
Discuss torts and defenses to tort actions and understand negligence, liability, and workers' compensation
Describe different forms of business organization, the elements of contracts and rules pertaining to contracts, ownership of property, creditors and bankruptcy, and the law of agency
Write an effective legal memorandum; state and characterize facts and legal arguments to best advance a legal position
Research primary and secondary sources to determine relevant case law, find statutes and other information from appropriate sources using Lexis.com and other Internet sources, and correctly cite sources Understand jurisdiction, venue, and evidence law; describe some important hearsay exceptions
Understand how to prepare, file, and serve complaints and motions
Explain criminal law and procedure, the elements of crimes, criminal defense, and the role of the Constitution
Discuss the fundamental principles of law dealing with marriage, divorce, and parenthood
Understand the paralegal's role in real estate transactions, including contracts, title abstraction, deeds, mortgages, closing documents, and leases; prepare preliminary drafts of commonly used documents
Discuss the responsibilities of practicing paralegals in the field of wills, trusts, and estate administration, including preparing preliminary drafts of wills and trusts

Semester 1

Basic Skills Assessment

All degree applicants are required to complete two Basic Skills Assessments, one in reading and one in math, to determine the level of readiness for beginning their selected program. Additional studies may be required.

Introduction to Paralegal Studies (1 credit)

Succeed by learning how to use your Penn Foster program, and learn the fundamentals of the paralegal field.

Objectives:

Understand how to use your Student Portal.
Access the Penn Foster Community and use it to find answers.
Connect with Penn Foster on various social media sites.
Describe typical duties carried out by paralegals and how to work with attorneys.
Understand the laws and regulations governing paralegals.
Know the education and licensing required.
Obtain practical information concerning your career goals.
Locate potential employers in your area.

Information Literacy (1 credit)

Get better at finding and using information!

Objectives:

Search the Internet more effectively.
Get tips about search engines and reliable websites.
Learn how to search libraries and other information centers for important, useful information.

Legal Terminology (2 credits)

Familiarity with common legal words and phrases is required when creating and interpreting legal documents. This lesson will introduce you to a broad range of basic legal terminology and documents. Strong critical thinking skills improve your own arguments and your ability to evaluate the arguments of others.

Legal Terminology

Objectives:

Define and understand common Latin legal terms and terms associated with litigation.
Compare the various types of jurisdiction and kinds of documents used in litigation.
Understand criminal procedure and common criminal defenses.
Recognize the elements commonly included in contracts.
Describe the ways in which contracts may be terminated.
Explain the various legal actions associated with family law.
Understand the terminology used in recording ownership of real property.

Additional Course Materials:

Downloadable audio files: Legal Terminology 1
Downloadable audio files: Legal Terminology 2

Critical Thinking

Objectives:

Assess strength of logic, reasoning, and conclusions.
Recognize the elements of propaganda and emotional manipulation.

Ethics (2 credits)

Paralegals are responsible for maintaining confidentiality and competence; handling fees and funds; avoiding potential malpractice of law; and preventing conflicts of interest.

Objectives:

Understand the guidelines that regulate lawyers’ and paralegals’ conduct.
Identify rules concerning confidentiality and attorney-client privilege.
Conduct financial billings.
Recognize potential malpractice and conflict of interest issues.

Computer Applications (3 credits)

This course will allow you to build your computer skills through a combination of reading and hands-on practice. You will navigate popular software tools such as Windows® and Microsoft® Office.

Objectives:

Create, edit, and illustrate Microsoft® Word™ documents.
Apply formulas and functions to large data sets in Microsoft® Excel.®
Incorporate useful charts and graphs to summarize data.
Add, delete, sort, and lay out table data.
Create presentations in Microsoft® PowerPoint® using advanced tools, tables, and charts.

English Composition (3 credits)

This course will allow you to polish and enhance your writing skills.

Objectives:

Effectively use free writing and brainstorming.
Perfect your ability to edit and revise your writing.
Apply techniques for getting the reader’s attention.
Write descriptive essays, first-person narratives, reflective essays, persuasive essays, and effective thesis statements.

Courts (3 credits)

Learn about the U.S. legal system and the law.

Objectives:

Understand how history has shaped the organization and structure of our contemporary courts.
Describe the structure of the court system.
Discuss the sources of law and the foundations of U.S. law.
Explain the differences between civil and criminal litigation and between litigation in the state and in the federal courts.
Outline the litigation process.

Investigations and Interviews (2 credits)

Many paralegals spend a great deal of time talking with clients and/or witnesses. This course will teach you how to effectively interview people and conduct legal investigations.

Objectives:

Understand the ethical considerations and responsibilities of the paralegal and the attorney in interviewing.
Prepare for and conduct an interview and investigation.
Use different types of questions to elicit responses from a variety of people.
Summarize the information discovered during the interview and investigation process.

Additional Semester Materials

Learning Aids

Legal Specialties lists some of the typical duties of a paralegal in various fields. It also contains two self-assessment quizzes to help you determine in what field of law you might like to work when you finish your program.

Legal terminology audio files to help you learn the language of the law—including pronunciation! Download mp3 files from your online student account.

Barron’s Dictionary of Legal Terms contains nearly 3,000 legal terms translated into simple English. This reference book will help you throughout your career.

Custom edition of the Little, Brown Essential Handbook customized for Penn Foster students.

Textbook

Successful College Writing

Proctored Examination

You will be required to complete a proctored exam on selected courses each semester. These assessments will evaluate the knowledge and skills that you learned during the semester. You choose the time, the location, and the qualified exam supervisor.

Semester 2

Mathematics for Business and Finance (3 credits)

This course will hone your math skills so you are able to successfully use them in business and finance industries.

Objectives:

Use percentages, discounts, and interest formulas effectively.
Analyze present worth and sinking funds.
Understand how to buy in installments and price merchandise.
Explain depreciation, insurance, equations, and formulas.
Discuss investments and statistics.

Torts (3 credits)

A tort is essentially any action that causes harm to a person or property. A good deal of law involves torts, so as a paralegal, you’ll be constantly exposed to tort actions. Your textbook provides many interesting real-life examples of cases involving injured parties. Discover how these cases travel through the legal system, beginning with filing a complaint and ending with settlement, arbitration, or trial.

Objectives:

Understand the fundamentals of legal analysis and how to prepare a legal memorandum.
Outline an investigative strategy for a personal injury case.
Draft a complaint.
Understand the tests that establish causation.
Characterize strict liability in tort and the defenses to liability in tort.

Business and Technical Writing (3 credits)

This course provides an introduction to the various methods of organizing material for a professional setting. Students will compose business documents using the ABC method. These include memos, emails, outlines, reports and proposals, descriptions, and organizing materials. Students also work on honing their grammar skills.

Objectives:

Describe the basics of the writing process and the ABC method of organizing material for a document
Identify the parts of speech in a sentence
Demonstrate correct pronoun use
Choose proper and effective words for writing documents
Identify the elements of a well-written sentence
Demonstrate how to use length, directness, emphasis, and variety to craft impactful sentences
Explain how to construct a coherent paragraph
Describe how to write an effective cover letter and resume
Format and write an interoffice memorandum, a routine business letter, and an effective email
Identify the different ways to write for blogs, the Internet, and social media
Describe how to create an organized formal outline
Identify the types of research and methods of documentation used in business and technical writing
Explain how to create visual interest and clarity in reports with illustrations, tables, graphs, charts, and overall design
Explain the purpose and importance of various types of informal reports
Describe the nature of formal reports and identify their components
Differentiate among external, internal, informal, and formal proposals
Describe an object or a process and prepare a set of instructions
Describe the preparation and submission of professional and technical articles and manuals

Economics 1 (3 credits)

Analyze economy-wide phenomena through the study of macroeconomics, including inflation, unemployment, and trade deficits.

Objectives:

Identify the basic function of economics in our society
Examine various economic tradeoffs that people face
Explain the laws of supply and demand
Use the concept of elasticity to explain changes in a market
Discuss the pros and cons of trade restrictions
Calculate and interpret the unemployment rate and the labor-force participation rate
Describe the notion of deadweight loss and its relevance to taxes
Draw and interpret short-run and long-run Phillips curves
Explain why economists focus on GDP, inflation, and unemployment when assessing economic health
Describe how comparative advantage and specialization affect international trade
Describe how differences between world prices and domestic prices prompt exports and imports
Describe how changes in income affect consumption and saving

Science Elective (3 credits)

(Choose one) ...

SCI110 - Earth Science

This course will allow you to learn about planet Earth and the various aspects of the environment.

Objectives:

Describe specific characteristics of Earth.
Describe different types of rocks and minerals.

SCI120-Introduction to Biology

This course will allow you to explore the origin of life and the relationships among all living things.

Objectives:

Explain how organisms are structured and how they work.
Discuss the various forms of life and their processes.

Additional Course Material:

Textbook: Essentials of Biology

SCI140-Nutrition

This course will allow you to develop a healthier lifestyle by making smarter nutritional decisions.

Objectives:

Explain the various components of nutrition as a science.
Describe nutrition from a global viewpoint.
Understand the importance of water and exercise.
Identify the basics of human growth and aging.
Discuss food safety procedures.

Additional Course Material:

Textbook: Personal Nutrition

Art Appreciation (3 credits)

In this course, you will gain an understanding of artistic media, historical periods and artistic movements, the roles of the artist and the viewer, and the principles of art criticism.

Objectives:

Define the language, visual elements, and principles of design of art
Identify two-dimensional media
Identify three-dimensional media
Explain the evolution of art from ancient Mediterranean cultures through eighteenth century Europe
Identify features and popular examples of art throughout the history of African, Asian, Pacific, and American cultures
Compare the genres of the Modern and Postmodern eras of art from around the world

Additional Course Material:
Textbook: Living with Art, 11th Edition

Additional Semester Materials

Learning Aids

Voice and Diction audio files will help you learn to speak clearly and effectively. Download mp3 files from your online student account.

Textbooks

Torts Personal Injury Litigation, Fourth Edition, by William P. Statsky

Business Law with UCC Applications, Twelfth Edition, by Gordon W. Brown and Paul A. Sukys

Practical Business Math Procedures, Ninth Edition, by Jeffrey Slater

Proctored Examination

Semester 3

Legal Research and Writing (4 credits)

This course will introduce you legal writing and to the great number of tools that can be used in legal research. You will practice these skills through three writing and research projects.

Objectives:

Explain the importance of precision, purpose, and audience in legal writing, and the need to be aware of ambiguity in language
Identify the kinds of writing you’ll do in the law office
Explain the interrelationship between clear writing and clear thinking
Describe the basic process of legal reasoning by applying rules to facts to arrive at a logical answer to a question posed
Explain the importance of following form, format, and custom in legal writing
Construct an effective legal memorandum that formally answers questions of law and supports a motion
Explain how local rules of court affect the documents you file with that court
Describe the sources of law and the concept of jurisdiction
Describe how to use basic procedures for citations
Explain how to look up cases and statutes using the appropriate sources
Explain how to read and brief a case
Describe how to research statutes using appropriate sources
Describe how to approach a research problem from different access points
Describe hierarchy within law
Describe the research process
Explain how to use Lexis Advance to formulate search requests, and verify accuracy of legal sources
Describe how to perform factual, business, and legal research on the Internet

Social Science Elective (3 credits)

(Choose one) ...

SSC105 - World Civilizations

This course will allow you to understand the importance of studying history as it relates to the individual and society as a whole.

Objectives:

Discuss the major events of the sixteenth through twentieth centuries.
Explain the consequences of events and the trends that they cause.

SSC125 - Introduction to Sociology

This course is designed to introduce you to social structure and social interaction through groups, networks, and organizations. Study politics, the economy, population, social movements, technology, and social change.

Objectives:

Describe deviance, crime, and social control.
Discuss the effects of stratification, racial and ethnic inequality, sex, gender, and sexuality.
Examine the role of health, family, education, and religion in human behavior.

SSC130 - Essentials of Psychology

This course will introduce you to the relationship between biology and behavior. You will learn about human development throughout the life span.

Objectives:

Identify major psychological theories.
Discuss consciousness, memory, thought, and language.
Define intelligence, personality, and stress.
Analyze the role of gender in psychology.
Explain how community influences behavior.

Civil Litigation (3 credits)

Litigation involves the use of the court system to resolve disputes. Increasingly, paralegals are involved in litigation support.

Objectives:

Explain the purpose of litigation and the differences between civil and criminal litigation.
Know the role of court system personnel in litigation.
Prepare and file a complaint.
Define evidence law and the requirements to make evidence admissible.
Describe hearsay and some important hearsay exceptions.

Arts & Humanities Elective (3 credits)

(Choose one) ...

ENG115 - Introduction to Literature

This course will allow you to develop your critical thinking skills and broaden your knowledge of literature.

Objectives:

Identify themes and forms of literature.
Define the main genres of literature—poetry, fiction, and drama.

HUM104 - Music Appreciation

In this course, you'll understand how to appreciate music by learning about the roles of the composer and the listener, the principles of music theory and instrumentation, musically significant historical periods, and varying styles of music.

Objectives:

Identify the building blocks of music a composer can use to create a piece, such as rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, form, and timbre
Explain the evolution of Western music through history, from the Middle Ages to the twenty-first century
Differentiate between the music of the baroque era and the musical styles of previous time periods
Recognize the major characteristics of classical music, including form, melody, and instrumentation
Discuss the musical trends and innovations that occurred during the romantic era
Trace the evolution of American popular music in the twentieth century
Recognize the influence of world music on modern Western composition

Additional Course Material:
Textbook: Experience Music, Fourth Edition

Intermediate Algebra (3 credits)

This course introduces basic algebraic concepts that you’ll need to be successful in your career.

Objectives:

Understand the systems of equations, polynomials, and radicals.
Factor polynomial expressions.
Simplify rational expressions.

Additional Course Material:
Textbook: Intermediate Algebra

Additional Semester Materials

Textbook

Macroeconomics by Campbell R. McConnell, Stanley L. Brue, and Sean M. Flynn

Learning Aid

Online Resource: Access to Lexis.com,® one of the premier providers of online legal research

Supplement

Selected Federal Civil Rules

Proctored Examination

Semester 4

Criminal Litigation (3 credits)

This course provides you with an introduction to the practice and theory of criminal law.

Objectives:

Define the role played by the paralegal in various criminal justice agencies.
Identify the origins, evolution, and sources of the criminal law.
Explain the conduct (actus reus) and the state of mind (mens rea) components involved in criminal offenses.
Analyze the important constitutional and statutory defenses that pertain to criminal conduct.
Outline the process of criminal case intake and the drafting of formal criminal charges.
Track the progression of a criminal case from the pretrial, trial, and post-trial stages, with emphasis on the rights of the accused at each stage of the proceedings.

Legal Environment of Business (3 credits)

Explore the legal aspects of business today.

Objectives:

Explain the sources of law
Discuss the judicial process and alternative dispute resolution
Describe different forms of business organization and their characteristics
Explain the elements of contracts and rules pertaining to contracts
Discuss the law of agency and laws concerning employment
Explain laws pertaining to ownership and transfer of property
Describe the general principles involved in wills, trusts, and estates
Discuss the formation of sales and lease contracts and the legal issues arising from those types of contracts
Explain the purpose and types of negotiable instruments and the role they play in business
Explain the rights of secured and unsecured creditors and the consequences of bankruptcy
Discuss the principles of torts, the different types of torts, and criminal law as it relates to business

Family Law (3 credits)

This course will provide you with a solid foundation in the basic legal principles that apply to family law.

Objectives:

Describe the origin, development, and current trends in family law.
Define the elements of a valid premarital agreement.
Discuss the difference between a traditional ceremonial marriage and a common law marriage.
Explain the difference between a divorce and an annulment.
Understand the differences between a no-fault divorce and a fault divorce.

Real Estate Law (3 credits)

The real estate industry — real estate development, construction, sales, leases, and financing—generates a great deal of work for law firms. Paralegals often work with real estate law, and this course is designed to teach you the basics. Real estate law varies some from state to state, but most of the principles are the same in all states.

Objectives:

Understand the types, content, and preparation of deeds.
Understand how real estate is described in deeds.
Define and give examples of encumbrances, easements, and licenses.
Describe some of the ways government regulates the use of real estate.
Describe the components of a real estate purchase contract and the real estate closing process.
Explain the role of lawyers and paralegals in the process of real estate financing.
List the provisions of a standard lease and explain their purpose.

Wills and Estates (3 credits)

Paralegals often handle matters dealing with wills, trusts, and/or estate administration.

Objectives:

Understand statutes and statutory language.
Draft a preliminary will for the supervising attorney’s review.
Prepare preliminary drafts of the various kinds of trusts.
Prepare legal forms to create an estate plan.
Apply the procedures and prepare the legal forms used in probate and estate administration.
Prepare the tax returns of a decedent’s estate.

Speech (3 credits)

This course provides students with a foundation in the basic concepts of public speaking. Students will learn how to research, organize and write effective speeches, incorporate presentation aids, and rehearse and deliver speeches effectively. Students will prepare, rehearse, record and submit speeches in a number of rhetorical styles to be graded.

Objectives:

Demonstrate knowledge of the importance and benefits of public speaking
Demonstrate knowledge of communication apprehension, identify the causes of communication apprehension, and apply strategies to overcome communication apprehension
Identify the audience for a speech
Identify the purpose of a speech, select a topic and write a thesis, plan supporting materials and organize a speech effectively
Use research and presentation aids appropriately and effectively
Prepare speeches in different rhetorical styles, including narrative, informative and persuasive
Identify and develop effective delivery and presentation techniques through practice and rehearsal

Additional Course Material:

Textbook: The Essential Elements of Public Speaking

Additional Semester Materials

Textbooks

Family Law for the Paralegal, by Mary E. Wilson

Wills, Trusts,and Estate Administration, by Dennis R. Hower and Peter Kahn

Reality of Real Estate, by Charles P. Nemeth

Criminal Law for Paralegals

Proctored Examination