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Paralegal

Course Code
PARA 125  Credits
Title Introduction to Paralegal 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Provides an overview of the paralegal profession and the legal system to assist students in their career decision making process. 



Course Code
PARA 201  Credits
Title You and the Law 
Lasc Area Goal 9  
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description To acquaint students with basic information about how their lives will be impacted by the law in numerous areas including marriage, death, employment, retirement, property ownership, consumer status, personal injury and criminal law. This course is open to all students. MnTC Goal 9. 



Course Code
PARA 251  Credits
Title Legal Research and Writing  
Course Outline Course Outline 
Writing Intensive Yes  
Description Introduction to legal research and analysis. Students will develop skills in legal issue identification, analysis and research through progressively more complex exercises, including preparation of a case brief, legal memorandum and a correspondence project. Paralegal majors must earn a "C-" or better in this course. 



Course Code
PARA 310  Credits
Title Civil Procedure I 
Prerequisite PARA 251 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description The substantive and procedural law of civil litigation, with emphasis on the Rules of Civil Procedure, in both state and federal court systems. 



Course Code
PARA 320  Credits
Title Family Law 
Prerequisite PARA 251 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description The law of domestic relations, including marriage, separation, divorce, annulment, adoption, custody, and other topics. 



Course Code
PARA 321  Credits
Title Employment Law 
Prerequisite ACCT 280 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description An exploration of the legal nature of the employment relationship including contract and liability issues and major stages of the employment relationship, including hiring, evaluation and termination. Coverage includes antidiscrimination law and the Family and Medical Leave Act. 



Course Code
PARA 325  Credits
Title Interviewing 
Prerequisite PARA 251 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Development of the skills necessary to elicit comprehensive factual information about legal issues and to assist the client in understanding the process and procedures of the legal system. 



Course Code
PARA 331  Credits
Title Debtor-Creditor and Bankruptcy Law 
Prerequisite PARA 251 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description The study of law relating to the extension of credit, collection of debts, debtors' and creditors' rights, and bankruptcy, including liquidation, business reorganizations, and adjustment of debts. 



Course Code
PARA 346  Credits
Title Public Benefits 
Prerequisite PARA 251 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description A study of the substantive and procedural law of government benefit programs, including Supplemental Security Income, workers compensation, unemployment compensation, and Social Security Retirement and Disability insurance. 



Course Code
PARA 350  Credits
Title Contract Law and Drafting 
Prerequisite PARA 251 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description A study of the law of contracts, including elements of formation, duties of parties to contracts, discharge of parties to a contract and enforcement of contracts, including the ability to perform legal research relevant to contract law, perform critical analysis of various contract issues, negotiation of contract terms, and the ability to draft various components of contracts as they relate to industry, consumer relationships, and daily living. 



Course Code
PARA 375  Credits
Title Legal Ethics 
Prerequisite PARA 251 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description The study of law governing the professional ethics of attorneys with emphasis on the Rules of Professional Conduct and their implications for paralegals. 



Course Code
PARA 380  Credits
Title Real Property Law 
Prerequisite PARA 251 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description The law dealing with interests in, ownership and leasing of, and title to real estate. Emphasis is also placed on official descriptions, systems for recording, and procedures and documents used for the sale or transfer, lease, and zoning of real property. 



Course Code
PARA 390  Credits 1-3 
Title Topics in Paralegal Studies 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This is a topical course and topics covered may vary. The course is repeatable when the topic varies. 



Course Code
PARA 405  Credits
Title Wills, Estates and Taxation 
Prerequisite PARA 251  
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description A study of the procedures, documents and other techniques used in the planning for transfer of property after death, administration of estates and the preparation of will, probate documents and an estate tax return. 



Course Code
PARA 410  Credits
Title Civil Procedure II 
Prerequisite PARA 251 PARA 310 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description A study of the procedures, documents and other techniques used in a legal setting emphasizing trial practice. Topics included will be case intake, discovery, negotiations, trial preparation, trial practice and post judgment relief. 



Course Code
PARA 416  Credits
Title Elder Law 
Prerequisite PARA 251, PARA 325 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description A study of the various public benefits programs that provide economic maintenance and financing of health care for the elderly, including medical assistance and Medicare. Special concerns in legal representation of the elderly. An exploration of the laws regarding self-determination and planning for incapacity. 



Course Code
PARA 420  Credits
Title Criminal Litigation 
Prerequisite PARA 251 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description A practice-oriented study of the procedures, documents, and techniques in criminal law cases. Emphasis on the preparation, organization, and management of criminal litigation documents and materials; discovery; interviewing and investigation; trial preparation; assistance at trial and other proceedings; and post-conviction relief. 



Course Code
PARA 425  Credits
Title Advanced Legal Research and Writing 
Prerequisite PARA 251 PARA 325 PARA 375 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Writing Intensive Yes  
Description Integration and application of methods and techniques of legal research and writing, building on and supplementing skills acquired in PARA 251. Preparation of complex multiple-issue legal memoranda and briefs. 



Course Code
PARA 435  Credits
Title Personal Injury 
Prerequisite PARA 251 PARA 310 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description A study of the procedural and substantive law of personal injury, including negligence, products liability, strict liability, and insurance. 



Course Code
PARA 469  Credits 1-12 
Title Internship 
Prerequisite PARA 251 PARA 325 PARA 375 PARA 310 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Internship experience under supervision of an attorney as approved by program internship coordinator. Students must complete the prerequisites and two courses from your area of emphasis prior to enrolling in PARA 469. A maximum of 12 internship credits may be applied to the degree.