Paralegal Studies Program

LONE STAR COLLEGE

ABA Approved

2016-2017

To the Prospective Paralegal Student:

We have compiled these materials to assist you in your decision to attend Lone Star College-North Harris ABA-Approved Paralegal Studies Program. We have tried to be as complete as humanly possible, but if we have missed something, please give us a call or send us an email!

The first thing you want to do is apply to the college for admission. There is no special

application for the program itself. Just apply to the college and sign up for classes. Order your

transcripts to be sent to Admissions. Get advising to see about testing.

DECLARE YOUR PARALEGAL MAJOR! This is vitally important!

Sign up for classes

Be sure you take LGLA 1307 Intro to Law and LGLA 1303 Legal Research either FIRST or

CONCURRENTLY with other first semester classes. You MUST have these two classes as

prerequisites for the other classes in order to succeed. Never try to take LGLA 1345 Litigation

Procedures without taking the other two classes first. It is certain to cause failure.

Ask Professor Watts to sign you up on the Paralegal Listserv so you get all the program news.

We do not know anything about Tuition or Financial Aid in our department. Our college has

separate departments for those things. See other materials in this packet for those phone

numbers. However, we have compiled some rough tuition information here below that is

accurate for 2016 - 2017:

In- District Out of District International or Out of State

Certificate1 $2328 $4848 $5388

AAS2 $3848 $8048 $8948

The above numbers reflect tuition only. You will also have fees and books to consider. To see if

you live in-district, please consult the Lone Star College website at www.lonestar.edu

Yes, we have Internships. You must complete 15 LGLA hours before being able to sign up for

one. An internship may be done in place of one of the LGLA electives. Internships are 20 hours

a week for an entire long semester (16 weeks) and they are unpaid. Begin the process by filling

out an Internship Questionnaire and giving it to Prof. Watts. We find you the internship unless

you already have one.

We do not GUARANTEE placement. However, our graduate placement rate is well over 90%.

We will teach you how to look for a job in the Houston area and you will have to do the hard

work. There is nothing magical about the paralegal profession as far as getting your first entry-

level job is concerned. It takes the same amount of work and dedication as any other career.

But once you have a job in this profession, you are usually set for life!

While you are in the program, your paralegal advisor will be Professor Watts. I am the one to

determine whether other classes may be substituted for a prescribed class, etc. However, if you

1 This estimate was calculated assuming the student would complete 15 hours over two long semesters, and 6 hours over the summer or third semester. Please see the Lone Star College Catalog for a complete list of other fees that may apply. 2 This estimate was calculated assuming the student would complete 15 hours over four long semesters. Please see the Lone Star College Catalog for a complete list of other fees that may apply.

want transferability advice to go on to a 4 year university, you may want to go to see a college

advisor.

Students lacking the minimum of an Associates’ Degree shall enter the Associates

Degree Paralegal Studies Program

All students should declare appropriate paralegal major and begin with a minimum

LGLA 1307 Intro to Law and LGLA 1303 Legal Research

No student should be allowed into LGLA 1345 Litigation Procedures without the proper

pre-requisite (LGLA 1307 Intro to Law). Without Intro, they will fail.

Four classes MUST be taken on campus in a classroom. These classes are LGLA 1307,

LGLA 1303, LGLA 2370, and LGLA 2331. All the other LGLA classes are available online,

day, or night. Online classes change from semester to semester.

Legal Specialty Transfer Policy: Of the Legal Specialty courses taken at LSC-NH (all courses

beginning with LGLA), four courses may not be taken in alternative format. The following legal

specialty courses must be taken in the traditional classroom setting:

LGLA 1307-Introduction to Law and the Legal Profession LGLA 1303-Legal Research LGLA 2370-Rules of Civil Procedure LGLA 2331-Advanced Legal Research and Writing

Only 9 (nine) Legal Specialty course credit hours may be transferred into the LSC-NH Paralegal Studies Program. Those courses must be approved by the Program Director, not have been taken online, must have been prepared specifically for paralegal students, must be substantially the same as the LSC-NH designated course, must be accredited by a regional accreditation and must have been passed with a grade of “C” or better. Civil Litigation courses taken in another state will have to be repeated at this campus.

The Paralegal Studies Program at LSC-NH is approved by the American Bar Association

(ABA).

Criminal Justice classes are not the same as Paralegal courses and may not be used for

substitution.

There is no licensing or regulation of paralegals in the State of Texas. However, most

employers will not hire a paralegal who does not have either a degree or certificate in

Paralegal Studies.

POFL courses are not a part of the Paralegal Studies program and cannot substitute for

them.

Paralegals must work under the direct supervision of an attorney, and may not deliver

legal advice or legal services directly to the public. To do so is crime called

“Unauthorized Practice of Law.” That means they may not open “legal document

preparation services” that service the public.

The term “legal assistant” has evolved to mean an entry-level paralegal, or legal

secretary. After completion of either the Associates Degree or Certificate in Paralegal

Studies, you will be qualified to enter a job as a paralegal.

Only the Director of the Paralegal Studies Program may complete course substitutions

for a student. No waivers of any kind will be given for any course.

Students are welcomed and encouraged to seek advising from the Paralegal Studies

department. Please call Professor Jeff Watts at 281-618-5587 or email

Jeffrey.A.Watts@lonestar.edu.

We have an articulation agreement with University of Houston Downtown, which also has

classes at our Woodlands location. Ask about their Interdisciplinary Degree. They will transfer

your paralegal classes. Not all 4 year colleges and universities will do this.

I understand that many of you will want to go on to finish your bachelor’s and go on to law

school. But please don’t overlook the paralegal profession as a career. You can make more

money than most lawyers, and your career will be just as satisfying. Think about it.

Professor Jeff Watts Director of Paralegal Studies

Lone Star College-North Harris 2700 W W Thorne, A-133 H Houston, TX 77073 281-618-5587 FAX: 281-765-7858

Jeffrey.a.watts@lonestar.edu

ABA Approved Paralegal Program

Paralegal Studies AAS Checklist

Total Credit Hours for Program: 60

Date Started Program __________________ Date Completed Program_____________________

Course # Course Name Credit

Hours

Date

Started

Date

Completed

Grade

FIRST YEAR

First Semester

BUSI 2301 Business Law 3

MATH 1332 Math for Liberal Arts 3

ENGL 1301 Composition & Rhetoric I 3

ITSC 1301 Introduction to Computers 3

LGLA 1307 Intro. To Law & Legal

Professions

3

Second

Semester

ACNT 1303 Introduction to Accounting 3

Elective 1 Humanities/Fine Arts 3

Elective 2 General Education 3

GOVT 2305 Federal Government 3

LGLA 1303 Legal Research 3

1 Humanities course requirement must be selected from the AAS requirements for humanities in

the catalog.

2 Select from the general education requirements.

(Paralegal Studies AAS Checklist, cont.)

Course # Course Name Credit

Hours

Date

Started

Date

Completed

Grade

SECOND

YEAR

First Semester

LGLA 1219 Legal Ethics & Prof.

Responsibility

2

LGLA 1345 Civil Litigation 3

LGLA 2370 Rules of Civil Procedure 3

LGLA 2303 Torts & Personal Injury Law 3

ITSW 1301 Intro. To Word Processing 3

Second

Semester

LGLA 1171 Preparing for Legal

Employment

1

LGLA 2305 Interviewing & Investigating 3

LGLA3 2331 Adv. Legal Research &

Writing

3

LGLA4 1st Elective 3

LGLA 2388 Internship Paralegal

OR 3

LGLA4 2nd Elective

SPCH 1315 Public Speaking 3

TOTAL 60

credit

hours

3 Capstone course 4 LGLA: 1323, 1341, 1343, 1351, 1353, 1355, 1359, 2301, 2309, 2311, 2313, 2315, 2323

(LG: 8/08/16)

Paralegal Studies Advanced Technical Certificate Checklist

Total Credit Hours for Program: 35-36

Date Started Program ____________________ Date Completed Program________________________

Course # Course Name Credit Hours

Date Started

Date Completed

Grade

FIRST YEAR

First Semester

ITSW 1301 Introduction to Word Processing

OR 3

ITSC 1301 Introduction to Computers

LGLA 1219 Legal Ethics & Prof. Responsibility

2

LGLA 1303 Legal Research 3

LGLA 1307 Intro. To Law & Legal Professions 3

LGLA 2303 Torts & Personal Injury Law 3

LGLA 2370 Rules of Civil Procedure 3

Second Semester

ACNT 1303 Introduction to Accounting 3

LGLA 1345 Civil Litigation 3

LGLA 2305 Interviewing & Investigating 3

LGLA 1 2331 Adv. Legal Research & Writing 3

LGLA 2 1st Elective 3

LGLA 2388 Internship Paralegal

OR 3

LGLA2 2nd Elective

1 Capstone course 2 LGLA: 1317, 1341, 1343, 1351, 1353, 1355, 1359, 1371, 2301, 2309, 2311, 2313, 2315, 2323

(LG: 8/08/16)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

LGLA 1171

PREPARING FOR LEGAL EMPLOYMENT

1 CREDIT (1 hr.lec)

This course prepares the paralegal student in the specific job-finding skills necessary for the legal environment.

Prerequisite: College Level Readiness in Reading AND Writing Corequisite: LGLA 2305

LGLA 1219

LEGAL ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

2 CREDITS (2hrs.lec)

Presents ethical and legal responsibilities as well as rules of professional responsibility a paralegal owes to the public, the court, clients, and colleagues. Includes a review of the canons and codes.

Prerequisite: College Level Readiness in Reading AND Writing

LGLA 1303

LEGAL RESEARCH 3 CREDITS (3hrs.lec)

Presents legal research techniques emphasizing the paralegal’s role.

Prerequisite: College Level Readiness in Reading AND Writing

LGLA 1307

INTRODUCTION TO LAW AND LEGAL PROFESSIONS

3 CREDITS (3hrs.lec)

Overview of the law and the legal professions including legal concepts, systems, and terminology; substantive areas of law and the federal and state judicial systems; ethical obligations and regulations; professional trends and issues with emphasis on the paralegal’s role.

Prerequisite: College Level Readiness in Reading AND Writing

LGLA 1317

LAW OFFICE TECHNOLOGY

3 CREDITS (3hrs.lec)

Computer technology and software applications within the law office emphasizing the paralegal’s role in the use of law office technology.

Prerequisite: LGLA

1307, LGLA 1345 and

ITSC 1301; College

Level Readiness in

Reading AND Writing

LGLA 1323

EMPLOYMENT LAW

3 CREDITS (3hrs.lec)

Presents the fundamental concepts of employment law, including employment contracts, at-will employment, governmental regulations, and discrimination issues, emphasizing the paralegal’s role in employment law.

Prerequisite: College Level Readiness in Reading AND Writing

LGLA 1341

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW

3 CREDITS (3hrs.lec)

An introduction to fundamental concepts of administrative law and procedure including creation of governmental agencies, operation, rulemaking, and adjudication and emphasizes the paralegal’s role in the administrative process.

Prerequisite: College Level Readiness in Reading AND Writing

LGLA 1343

BANKRUPTCY LAW 3 CREDITS (3hrs.lec)

Fundamental concepts of bankruptcy law and procedure are presented including individual and business liquidation and reorganization with emphasis on the paralegal’s role.

Prerequisite: College Level Readiness in Reading AND Writing

LGLA 1345

CIVIL LITIGATION 3 CREDITS (3hrs.lec)

Presents fundamental concepts and procedures of civil litigation including pretrial, trial, and post-trial phases of litigation and emphasizes the paralegal’s role in civil litigation.

Prerequisite: LGLA

1307; College Level

Readiness in Reading

AND Writing

LGLA 1351

CONTRACTS 3 CREDITS (3hrs.lec)

Presents fundamental concepts of contract law including formation, performance, and enforcement of contracts under the common law and the Uniform Commercial Code with emphasis on the paralegal’s role in contract law.

College Level

Readiness in Reading

AND Writing, LGLA

1303 , LGLA 1307

LGLA 1353

WILLS, TRUSTS AND PROBATE ADMINISTRATION

3 CREDITS (3hrs.lec)

This course presents fundamental concepts of the law of wills, trusts, and probate administration with emphasis on the paralegal’s role.

Prerequisite: College

Level Readiness in

Reading AND Writing;

LGLA 1303 ; LGLA

1307

LGLA 1355

FAMILY LAW 3 CREDITS (3hrs.lec)

Fundamental concepts of family law including formal and informal marriages, divorce, annulment, marital property, and the parent-child relationship with emphasis on the paralegal’s role in family law.

Prerequisite: College

Level Readiness in

Reading AND Writing;

LGLA 1303 ; LGLA

1307

LGLA 1359

IMMIGRATION LAW 3 CREDITS (3hrs.lec)

Presents fundamental concepts of immigration law including substantive and procedural law related to visa applications, deportation, naturalization, and citizenship emphasizing the paralegal’s role in immigration law.

Prerequisite: College Level Readiness in Reading AND Writing

LGLA 2301

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

3 CREDITS (3hrs.lec)

This course presents fundamental concepts of environmental law with emphasis on the paralegal’s role. Topics include terminology, creation of environmental law, and the application of statutes and government regulations to specific fact situations.

Prerequisite: College Level Readiness in Reading AND Writing

LGLA 2303

TORTS AND PERSONAL INJURY LAW

3 CREDITS (3hrs.lec)

This course presents fundamental concepts of tort law with emphasis on the paralegal’s role. Topics include intentional torts,

Prerequisite: College Level Readiness in Reading AND Writing; Departmental approval

negligence and strict liability.

LGLA 2305

INTERVIEWING AND INVESTIGATING

3 CREDITS (3hrs.lec)

A study of techniques used to locate, gather, document, and manage information with emphasis on developing interview and investigative skills and the paralegal’s role in interviewing and investigating legal matters.

Prerequisite: LGLA

1307; College Level

Readiness in Reading

AND Writing

LGLA 2309

REAL PROPERTY 3 CREDITS (3hrs.lec)

Presents fundamental concepts of real property law including the nature of real property, rights and duties of ownership, land use, voluntary and involuntary conveyances, and the recording of and searching for real estate documents emphasizing the paralegal’s role in real property law.

Prerequisite: College

Level Readiness in

Reading AND Writing;

LGLA 1303 ; LGLA

1307

LGLA 2311

BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS

3 CREDITS (3hrs.lec)

Basic concepts of business organizations including law of agency, sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and other emerging business entities with emphasis on the paralegal’s

role.

Prerequisite: College Level Readiness in Reading AND Writing

LGLA 2313

CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE

3 CREDITS (3hrs.lec)

Fundamental concepts of criminal law and procedure from arrest to final disposition including principles of federal and state law emphasizing the role of the paralegal in the criminal justice system.

Prerequisite: College

Level Readiness in

Reading AND Writing;

LGLA 1303 , LGLA

1307

LGLA 2315

OIL AND GAS LAW 3 CREDITS (3hrs.lec)

Presents fundamental concepts of oil and gas law, including relationships between landowners and oil and gas operators, government regulation, and documents used in the industry stressing the paralegal’s role in oil and gas law.

Prerequisite: College Level Readiness in Reading AND Writing

LGLA 2323

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

3 CREDITS (3 hrs.lec)

Presents the fundamentals of intellectual property law, including creation, procurement, preparation, and filing documents related to patents, copyrights, trademarks, and the processes of intellectual property litigation.

Prerequisite: College Level Readiness in Reading AND Writing

Emphasizes the paralegal’s role in intellectual property law.

LGLA 2331

ADVANCED LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING

3 CREDITS (3hrs.lec)

Builds on previous legal research and writing courses and covers standard and electronic research techniques and preparation of complex legal documents with emphasis on the paralegal’s role.

Prerequisite: LGLA

1303 and completion of

12 LGLA credits;

College Level

Readiness in Reading

AND Writing

LGLA 2370

RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE

3 CREDITS (3hrs.lec)

An in-depth study of both state and federal rules of civil procedure. Designed to make the paralegal student extremely knowledgeable in locating the proper rules in either jurisdiction.

Prerequisite: College Level Readiness in Reading AND Writing; Departmental approval

LGLA 2388

INTERNSHIP – PARALEGAL/LEGAL ASSISTANT

3 CREDITS (18 hrs.ext)

The internship is a work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills and concepts. A learning plan is developed by the college, the student and the employer.

Prerequisite: 15 LGLA credits, Enrollment in paralegal AAS or certificate program, approval of instructor; College Level Readiness in Reading AND Writing

LONES STAR COLLEGE-NORTH HARRIS

ABA APPROVED PARALEGAL STUDIES PROGRAM

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the difference between a legal assistant and a paralegal?

Years ago, there was no difference. The terms were interchangeable and their usage was generally determined by common custom or practice in a geographical area. Now, however, a trend is beginning where the term legal assistant is being used more for assistants to paralegals, or for legal secretaries. Therefore, all the major paralegal associations and educational programs have changed their names to “Paralegal.”

What does a paralegal do?

The short answer to this is "anything an attorney does except give legal advice or argue before the bar." Paralegals are trained to assist the attorney in all aspects of the law. The paralegal drafts documents and pleadings, does legal and factual research and investigation, acts as liaison between the firm and the client, analyzes and summarizes documents and compiles reports, attends and assists at depositions, hearings, and trial, organizes, develops, and maintains case management and file systems, and files documents with the court. The role of the paralegal does vary with the individuality of the lawyer who employs the paralegal. A paralegal who works in a small, generalist practice can expect to have more varied duties, including some secretarial responsibilities in many cases. Paralegals who work for larger firms generally specialize in one area of the law and have more specific job descriptions.

How much money does a paralegal make annually?

This, of course, varies greatly according to geographic areas. In the Greater Houston area, for example, the higher salaries are generally found in the downtown area, which is highly competitive. A beginning paralegal can expect to start upwards of $30,000 a year, but the attorneys in the suburbs generally pay a much lower salary. Once a paralegal begins to gain experience, salaries rise steadily on an annual basis. At the other end of the spectrum, very experienced paralegals in large metropolitan areas can easily earn more than $90,000 annually. Working for a small law firm in a suburban area brings far less in salary.

What is the difference between a paralegal and a legal secretary?

The biggest difference is in the priority of job responsibilities. Expectedly, a legal secretary's first responsibility is answering the phone of the attorney. The second priority is typing. Both of these jobs make it necessary for the legal secretary to keep regular office hours and stay seated at a desk as much as possible during the day. A paralegal, however, in most cases, has secretarial support, and does work much the same way as an attorney, which often calls for the paralegal to be out of the office or even traveling.

How long does your program take?

That will depend on you. Our program is made up of college-credit courses. Full time students generally take 15-16 credit hours per semester. The paralegal certificate program is available only to students who have already obtained an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in any subject. The certificate program can be completed in two-full time semesters, or 32 weeks. Students who do not already possess either a two year or four year college degree will enter the two year AAS degree program which will take four full time semesters to complete. Of course, if you are not able to attend classes on a full time basis, the length of time it takes you to complete the program will vary according to how many classes you are able to take each semester. A semester by semester breakdown of the required classes for both the certificate and the AAS degree plan are found on Lone Star College-North Harris’ website.

What time of day are your classes offered?

Lone Star College-North Harris offers classes in two formats: There are four classes which MUST be taken in the classroom:

LGLA 1307 Intro to Law

LGLA 1303 Legal Research

LGLA 2370 Rules of Civil Procedure

LGLA 2331 Advanced Legal Research and Writing

The above classes are offered at night every semester and some day classes. Each class meets one night a week for 3 hours. Day classes meet twice a week for 1.1/2 hours each. The rest of our classes are either online, day or evening. Online classes rotate and change from semester to semester. Please bear in mind that while LGLA 2303 and 1307 are offered at night in the classroom, you may not take other LGLA classes without taking these classes first, or concurrently with other courses that ask for these courses as a prerequisite.

After I graduate from your program, will I be certified to be a paralegal? Is there a test I take to become licensed?

After graduation, you will be either a degreed paralegal or a certificated paralegal, depending on your course of study. Employers, who advertise in the paper for a "certified" paralegal, are really looking for a "certificated" paralegal, or one who has graduated from a paralegal program and earned a certificate or degree. There is very few licensing or regulation of paralegals by any government or bar authority in any state or on a national basis at this time, and Texas is not one of them. There is considerable discussion among bar associations and paralegal associations about the inevitability of instituting such regulation. The best way to be prepared for the implementation of licensing or regulation is to graduate from a respected paralegal program with a degree or certificate, which is certain to be part of the criteria for licensing in the future.

I have heard about an exam called the CLA or CP. Will I be qualified to take that exam when I graduate, and what will it mean if I pass the exam?

There are several national paralegal associations, one of which is called NALA, which stands for National Association of Legal Assistants. NALA offers a voluntary test called the Certified Paralegal exam. Once a paralegal passes this exam, the initials CLA or CP are placed behind the paralegal’s name. As a graduate from our program, you will be qualified to take this exam if you so choose. To do so is strictly voluntary, and the student should be aware that becoming a CLA or CP will not necessarily give that student an edge in employment opportunities or garner a larger salary. Most employers are not entirely familiar with the CLA exam, and many, many qualified and experienced paralegals have enjoyed extremely successful careers without choosing to take the exam. The CLA exam is a two-day test and costs several hundred dollars.

Is your paralegal course ABA approved?

Yes, Lone Star College – North Harris’s Paralegal Studies Program is ABA Approved.

I started college classes many years ago, but changed my mind about my major and did not graduate. Can I use any of those classes to fulfill the requirements for the paralegal program?

Certainly, as long as those classes were taken at an accredited college and the course content is the same as that which is required under our program. For example, your Psychology 101 class will be accepted here for the general education requirement. Many of the classes you took may also be able to be used to fulfill elective requirements. We will be happy to look at your transcripts and help you to develop a degree plan where these courses are applied to your degree.

I see that none of the courses for your program are offered at the other campuses in your college district. Why is that?

According to the ABA guidelines for paralegal programs, certain types of resources and support must be available to properly teach the courses. The North Harris campus is the only campus in the system which has full time legal professors on faculty and a full law library which meets the ABA standards. We feel that the North Harris College campus offers students their best opportunity for complete resources and support in the paralegal program. Some courses are offered at Creekside Center from time to time. They are part of the LSC-NH Paralegal Studies Program.

Who do I contact for more information on your program?

Please call Jeff Watts (281) 618-5587 or e-mail him at: Jeffery.A.Watts@lonestar.edu

or

Marcy Delesandri (281) 618-5735 or e-mail her at:

Mdelesandri@lonestar.edu