Level II Certificate & AAS, Paralegal Studies
Additional information: Reference the SHSU Polytechnic College page for additional information.
Program Description
The Paralegal Studies Program is designed to equip students with the practical knowledge and skills required to support legal professionals in a variety of settings, including law firms, government agencies, and corporate legal departments. The program emphasizes a strong foundation in legal theory, ethics, and procedural law, while also providing students with hands-on experience in legal research, document drafting, case management, and client interactions. This program prepares graduates to perform essential paralegal tasks such as conducting legal research, preparing legal documents, and assisting attorneys in case preparation and trial proceedings. Through a combination of coursework and real-world experiences, students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, effective communication, and a thorough understanding of the legal system. Upon completion of the program, students will be well-prepared to enter the workforce as competent paralegals or legal assistants, or to continue their studies in law or related fields.
Statewide Industry Highlights
- Current Workforce: 9,260
- Average Salary: $55,200
- Open Positions: 1,140
Data provided by Lightcast, 2024
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level II Certificate, Paralegal Studies | ||
| LGLA 1303: Legal Research | 3 | |
| LGLA 1305: Legal Writing | 3 | |
| LGLA 1311: Introduction to Law | 3 | |
| LGLA 1313: Introduction to Paralegal Studies | 3 | |
| LGLA 1317: Law Office Technology | 3 | |
| LGLA 1345: Civil Litigation | 3 | |
| LGLA 1355: Family Law | 3 | |
| LGLA 2305: Interviewing and Investigating | 3 | |
| LGLA 2307: Law Office Management or LGLA 1380: Cooperative Ed I, Paralegal Assistant (CO-OP) 1 | 3 | |
| LGLA 2313: Criminal Law and Procedure | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Note: The Level II certificate program stacks into the AAS curriculum.
- 1
Choose one of the courses listed.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AAS, Paralegal Studies | ||
| COMS 2386 | Interpersonal Communication 1 | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I 2 | 3 |
| MATH 1332 | College Mathematics 3 | 3 |
| or MATH 1324 | Mathematics for Managerial Decision Making | |
| PHIL 1301 | Introduction to Philosophy 4 | 3 |
| POLS 2306 | Texas Government 5 | 3 |
| LGLA 1303: Legal Research | 3 | |
| LGLA 1305: Legal Writing | 3 | |
| LGLA 1311: Introduction to Law | 3 | |
| LGLA 1313: Introduction to Paralegal Studies | 3 | |
| LGLA 1317: Law Office Technology | 3 | |
| LGLA 1345: Civil Litigation | 3 | |
| LGLA 1350: Contracts | 3 | |
| LGLA 1355: Family Law | 3 | |
| LGLA 2305: Interviewing and Investigating | 3 | |
| LGLA 2307: Law Office Management or LGLA 1380: Cooperative Ed I , Paralegal Assistant (CO-OP) 6 | 3 | |
| LGLA 2313: Criminal Law and Procedure | 3 | |
| LGLA 2337: Mediation | 3 | |
| LGLA 2339: Certified Paralegal Exam Review (Capstone) or LGLA 2381: Cooperative Ed II, Paralegal Assistant (CO-OP) 7 | 3 | |
| LGLA 2341: Evidence | 3 | |
| LGLA 2352: Advanced Civil Litigation | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
- 1
COMS 2386 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences).
- 2
ENGL 1301 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communications).
- 3
MATH 1332 or MATH 1324 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics).
- 4
PHIL 1301 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture).
- 5
POLS 2306 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VII (Political Science/Government).
- 6
Choose one of the courses listed.
- 7
Choose one of the courses listed.
Additional information: Reference the SHSU Polytechnic College page for additional information.
Level II Certificate, Paralegal Studies
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| LGLA 1303: Legal Research | 3 | LGLA 1345: Civil Litigation | 3 |
| LGLA 1305: Legal Writing | 3 | LGLA 1355: Family Law | 3 |
| LGLA 1311: Introduction to Law | 3 | LGLA 2305: Interviewing and Investigating | 3 |
| LGLA 1313: Introduction to Paralegal Studies | 3 | LGLA 2307: Law Office Management or LGLA 1380: Cooperative Ed I, Paralegal Assistant (CO-OP)1 | 3 |
| LGLA 1317: Law Office Technology | 3 | LGLA 2313: Criminal Law and Procedure | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours: 30 | |||
Note: This Level II certificate program stacks into the AAS curriculum.
- 1
Choose one of the courses listed.
AAS, Paralegal Studies
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| LGLA 1303 | 3 | LGLA 1345: Civil Litigation | 3 |
| LGLA 1305 | 3 | LGLA 1355: Family Law | 3 |
| LGLA 1311: Introduction to Law | 3 | LGLA 2305: Interviewing and Investigating | 3 |
| LGLA 1313: Introduction to Paralegal Studies | 3 | LGLA 2307: Law Office Management or LGLA 1380: Cooperative Ed I, Paralegal Assistant (CO-OP)1 | 3 |
| LGLA 1317: Law Office Technology | 3 | LGLA 2313: Criminal Law and Procedure | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENGL 13012 | 3 | COMS 23865 | 3 |
| LGLA 1350: Contracts | 3 | LGLA 2337: Mediation | 3 |
| LGLA 2341: Evidence | 3 | LGLA 2339: Certified Paralegal Exam Review (Capstone) or LGLA 2381: Cooperative Ed II, Paralegal Assistant (CO-OP)6 | 3 |
| MATH 1332 or 13243 | 3 | LGLA 2352: Advanced Civil Litigation | 3 |
| POLS 23064 | 3 | PHIL 13017 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours: 60 | |||
- 1
Choose one of the courses listed.
- 2
ENGL 1301 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communications).
- 3
MATH 1332 or MATH 1324 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics).
- 4
POLS 2306 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VII (Political Science/Government).
- 5
COMS 2386 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences).
- 6
Choose one of the courses listed.
- 7
PHIL 1301 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture).
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers. Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.
The Level II Certificate and AAS Program in Paralegal Studies is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:
- Use legal terminology to create documents and presentations, and to compose correspondence and legal documents.
- Search and analyze law literature from primary and secondary sources.
- Use common law office technology such as databases and electronic filing systems.
- Assist with client and witness interviews and legal investigations.
- Understand the ethical obligations of the profession and possess the ability to communicate effectively and professionally in oral and written communication.
Legal Assistant/Paralegal
LGLA 1303. Legal Research. 3 Hours.
Presents legal research techniques emphasizing the paralegal's role.
LGLA 1305. Legal Writing. 3 Hours.
Fundamentals of legal writing techniques including case and fact analysis, citation formats, and legal writing styles emphasizing the paralegal's role in legal writing.
LGLA 1311. Introduction to Law. 3 Hours.
Presents legal terminology relating to substantive areas of law and the federal and state judicial systems. Emphasizes the paralegal's role in the legal system.
LGLA 1313. Introduction to Paralegal Studies. 3 Hours.
An overview of the paralegal profession including, professional regulation, trends and issues, ethical obligations, and the paralegal's role in the delivery of legal services.
LGLA 1317. Law Office Technologies. 3 Hours.
Computer technology and software applications within the law office emphasizing the paralegal's role in the use of law office technology.
LGLA 1345. Civil Litigation. 3 Hours.
Presents fundamental concepts and procedures of civil litigation including pretrial, trial, and post-trial phases of litigation and emphasizes paralegal's role in civil litigation.
LGLA 1351. Contracts. 3 Hours.
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.
LGLA 1355. Family Law. 3 Hours.
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.
LGLA 1380. Cooperative Education - Legal Assistant/Paralegal. 3 Hours.
Career-related activities encountered in the student's area of specialization offered through an individualized agreement among the college, employer, and student. Under the supervision of the college and the employer, the student combines classroom learning with work experience. Includes a lecture component.
LGLA 2305. Interviewing & Investigating. 3 Hours.
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.
LGLA 2307. Law Office Management. 3 Hours.
Fundamentals of principles and structure of management, administration, and substantive systems in the law office including law practice technology as applied to paralegals.
LGLA 2331. Advanced Legal Research & Writing. 3 Hours.
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.
LGLA 2333. Advanced Legal Document Preparation. 3 Hours.
Use of office technology skills in preparation of legal documents by paralegals based on hypothetical situations drawn from various areas of law.
LGLA 2335. Advanced Civil Litigation. 3 Hours.
Implementation of advanced civil litigation techniques with emphasis on the paralegal's role. Builds upon skills acquired in prior civil litigation courses.
LGLA 2337. Mediation. 3 Hours.
Fundamental concepts of mediation and alternative dispute resolution emphasizing the paralegal's role assisting in the mediation process.
LGLA 2339. Certified Paralegal Exam Review. 3 Hours.
A review of the mandatory and optional topics covered in the Certified Paralegal Examination administered by the National Association of Legal Assistants.
LGLA 2381. Cooperative Ed II- Paralegal Assistant. 3 Hours.
Career-related activities encountered in the student's area of specialization offered through an individualized agreement among the college, employer, and student. Under the supervision of the college and the employer, the student combines classroom learning with work experience. Includes a lecture component.
