NOTE: Changes in prerequisites may only be made with Director’s written approval.

PLG 101 INTRODUCTION TO THE LEGAL PROFESSION. (3)
The definition and  role of the paralegal in the practice of law.  History and organization of the profession.  Ethics and professional responsibility.  Introduction to law, the legal system, litigation, and legal analysis. Prerequisite for all other paralegal courses. Fall/Spring.

PLG 200-202 LEGAL BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESEARCH I & II. (3-3) Prerequisite or corequisite for PLG 200: PLG 101; prerequisite for PLG 202: PLG 101, PLG 200, and PLG 241.
Digests, encyclopedias. Statutory material. Citations. Factual research and current materials. Preparation of memoranda and other exercises in legal writing. Paralegal role in legal research (explored throughout term). Fall/Spring/Summer.

PLG 241 THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT OF BUSINESS. (3)
An environmental approach to the study of law including a background of the economic and legal environment as it pertains to profit and/or nonprofit organizations along with ethical considerations and social and political influences as they affect such organizations. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PLG 301 CONTRACTS. (3) Prerequisite: PLG 101, 200, and PLG 241; prerequisite or corequisite: PLG 202.
The objectives of this course are to acquaint students with contractual terminology, elements of contracts, effects of breach and recision, computation of damages and practical aspects of contract construction. Spring/Summer.

PLG 303 TORTS. (3) Prerequisite: PLG 101, 200, and 241; prerequisite or corequisite: PLG 202.
Acquaints students with tort terminology, elements of tort actions, computation of damages and practical aspects of tort litigation and defense. Fall.

PLG 325 BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS. (3) Prerequisite: PLG 101, 200, and 241; prerequisite or corequisite: PLG 202.
Includes an introduction to various business organizations such as Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies with an emphasis on corporations, incorporation procedure, corporation finance, business planning, contract law and corporate counsel.  Areas also covered are corporate employees and shareholders, corporate operations, security laws, regulatory compliance, merger and acquisition, sales and termination. Fall

PLG 327 ESTATES, TRUSTS AND WILLS. (3) Prerequisite: PLG 101, 200, and 241; prerequisite or corequisite: PLG 202.
Introduction to estates as well as wills; intestacy and administration; assets of estates; and federal estate tax. Fall.

PLG 330 LEGAL WRITING. (3) Prerequisites: BU 324, EN 300, PLG 101, 200, and 241.
A study of the prose of the legal profession, including work with contracts, letters, memoranda of law, briefs, and court documents such as pleadings, discovery, and motions.

PLG 340 LAW OFFICE TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT. (3) Prerequisite: BU 324, PLG 101, 200, 241.
This course focuses on the use of technology in the law office emphasizing computers and computer applications.  Word processing programs and legal software programs will be used.  The course will emphasize management, production, personnel, research and record keeping.

PLG 401  SPECIAL TOPICS IN PARALEGAL STUDIES. (1-3) Prerequisites: PLG 101, 200, and 241.

PLG 427 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW. (3) Prerequisites: PLG 101, 200 and 241; prerequisite or corequisite: PLG 202.
Acquaints a student with Administrative Agency Law on a State and Federal level, such as Social Security, Worker’s Compensation, Environmental protection Agency, etc. The student will study regulations, hearing procedures and appeals.

PLG 428 REAL ESTATE LAW. (3) Prerequisite: PLG 101, 200, and 241 or Director's approval; prerequisite or corequisite: PLG 202.
Introduction to estates in real property. Includes such topics as transfers, mortgages, recording statutes, title searches, real estate closings, and title insurance. Spring/Summer.

PLG 429 CIVIL LITIGATION. (3) Prerequisite: PLG 101, 200, and 241; prerequisite or corequisite: PLG 202.
Introduction to basic principles of procedural law. Areas of study are the proper conduct of the client interview, initiating the civil action, and answering in defendant's behalf. Other areas include informal discovery, motions for summary judgment, settlement, pretrial procedures, assisting at trial, and postjudgment activities. Spring.

PLG 431 CRIMINAL LAW. (3) Prerequisite: PLG 101,  200, and 241; prerequisite or corequisite: PLG 202.
A study of definitions, criminal process, the Fifth and Sixth Amendments, pre-trial discovery, indictments, and pleas. Fall/Summer.

PLG 432 FAMILY LAW. (3) Prerequisite: PLG 101, 200, and 241 or Director's approval; prerequisite or corequisite: PLG 202.
An examination of matrimonial law, adoption, the commercial law aspects of family life, and family law practice.

PLG 433 ENVIRONMENTAL LAW. (3) Prerequisite: PLG 101, 200, and 241; prerequisite or corequisite: PLG 202.
Survey of environmental laws and cases geared toward helping the paralegal have a working knowledge of environmental law and how environmental law may impact the different aspects of working cases with which a paralegal may come in contact. Spring.

PLG 434 BANKRUPTCY LAW. (3) Prerequisite: PLG 101, 200, and 241; prerequisite or corequisite: PLG 202.
Survey of bankruptcy laws and cases with practical experience in completing the forms and obtaining the information from the clients. Fall.

PLG 440 PRACTICAL LEGAL LAB. (3) Prerequisites: Senior standing and must be taken in last semester prior to graduation.
This course is practical in nature. Students select an area of specialization and are then placed with a law firm where they exercise those skills and information developed in the classroom. The evaluation of the student's ability is done as a combined effort  of a paralegal faculty member and a representation of the sponsoring law firm. This course meets the field experience requirements for the paralegal major. Fall/Spring/Summer.

PLG 451  SCHOOL LAW. (3) Prerequisites: PLG 101, 200, and 241.
Course focuses on legal issues involving the rights of students, teachers, parents, and administrators; topics include privacy, employment, freedom of speech and religion, liability, search and seizure, athletics and student organizations, discipline, and student records.