LGLA 1301 Legal Research and Writing
3 Hours (3-0)
This course presents the fundamentals of legal research and writing. Topics include standard and electronic legal research, and legal writing techniques including case and fact analysis and citation format. Students will identify and locate primary and secondary legal authority; implement effective research strategies, utilizing standard and electronic research tools; and draft legal documents with emphasis on the paralegal’s role and ethical considerations in legal research and writing.

LGLA 1311 Introduction to Law
3 Hours (3-0)
This course introduces the student to legal terminology, fundamental legal concepts, and the judicial system. Students will utilize legal terminology; explain fundamental legal concepts and the judicial system; and identify ethical considerations of the paralegal.

LGLA 1313 Introduction to Paralegal Studies
3 Hours (3-0)
This course provides an overview of the paralegal profession including ethical obligations, regulation, professional trends and issues, and the paralegal’s role in assisting the delivery of legal services. The student will develop a legal vocabulary; explain the ethical obligations of the legal professional, particularly the paralegal; explain the paralegal’s role in assisting the delivery of legal services; and discuss topics relating to the paralegal profession.

LGLA 1317 Law Office Technology
3 Hours (3-0)
Computer technology and software applications within the law office. Students will select and use appropriate legal software to manage electronic files; and create accurate billing, documents, calendaring and case management.

LGLA 1345 Civil Litigation
3 Hours (3-0)
This course presents fundamental concepts and procedures of civil litigation with emphasis on the paralegal’s role. Topics include pretrial, trial, and post trial phases of litigation. The student will define and properly use terminology relating to civil litigation; locate, describe, and analyze sources of law relating to the civil litigation process; describe the role and ethical obligation of the paralegal in civil litigation; and draft documents commonly used in civil litigation.

LGLA 1349 Constitutional Law
3 Hours (3-0)
This course provides an overview of the United States Constitution and its articles, amendments, and judicial interpretations. Topics include separation of powers, checks and balances, governmental structures and process, and individual rights in relation to government. Students will define and use terminology relating to constitutional law; locate, describe, and analyze other sources of law relating to constitutional law; analyze the U.S. Constitution and its amendments; and describe the role and ethical considerations of the paralegal relating to constitutional law practice.

LGLA 1353 Wills, Trusts and Probate Administration
3 Hours (3-0)
This course presents fundamental concepts of the law of wills, trusts, and probate administration with emphasis on the paralegal’s role. The student will define and properly use terminology relating to wills, trusts, and probate administration; locate, describe, and analyze sources of law relating to wills, trusts, and probate administration; describe the role and ethical obligations of the paralegal in wills, trusts, and probate administration; and draft documents commonly used in wills, trusts, and probate administration.

LGLA 1355 Family Law
3 Hours (3-0)
This course presents fundamental concepts of family law with emphasis on the paralegal’s role. Topics include formal and informal marriages, divorce, annulment, marital property, and the parent-child relationship. The student will define and properly use terminology relating to family law; locate, describe, and analyze sources of law relating to family law; describe the role and ethical obligations of the paralegal in family law; and draft documents commonly used in family law.

LGLA 1391 Special Topics in Paralegal / Legal Assistant
3 Hours (3-0)
Topics address recently identified current events, skills, knowledge, and/or attitudes and behavior pertinent to the technology or occupation and relevant to the professional development of the student. Learning outcomes/objectives are determined by local occupational need and business and industry trends.

LGLA 2239 Certified Legal Assistant Review
2 Hours (2-0)
This course provides a review of the mandatory and optional topics covered in the Certified Legal Assistant Examination administered by the National Association of Legal Assistants. The student will demonstrate knowledge of the subject matter areas covered in the Certified Legal Assistant Examination.

LGLA 2303 Torts and Personal Injury Law
3 Hours (3-0)
This course presents fundamental concepts of tort law with emphasis on the paralegal’s role. Topics include intentional torts, negligence, and strict liability. The student will define and properly use terminology relating to tort law; describe the role and ethical obligations of the paralegal in tort law; and draft documents commonly used in tort law.

LGLA 2305 Interviewing and Investigating
3 Hours (3-0)
This course is a study of principles, methods, and investigative techniques utilized to locate, gather, document, and manage information with emphasis on developing interview and investigative skills to prepare the paralegal to communicate effectively while recognizing ethical problems. Students will employ effective interviewing techniques with clients and witnesses in legal settings; utilize investigative methods; and describe the role and ethical considerations of the paralegal in interviewing and investigating.

LGLA 2315 Oil and Gas Law
3 Hours (3-0)
This course presents fundamental concepts of oil and gas law including the relationship between landowners and oil and gas operators, government regulations, and documents used in the industry. The student will define and properly use terminology relating to oil and gas law; describe the role and ethical obligations of legal professionals in oil and gas law; and draft documents commonly used in oil and gas law.

LGLA 2331 Advanced Legal Research and Writing
3 Hours (2-4)
Standard and electronic research techniques and preparation of complex legal documents such as briefs, legal office memoranda, and citation forms with emphasis on the paralegal’s role. Students will analyze complex legal issues; apply effective research strategies to address legal issues; report the results in written legal format; and describe the role of the paralegal relating to advanced legal research and writing.

LGLA 2335 Advanced Civil Litigation
3 Hours (2-4)
Implementation of advanced civil litigation techniques with emphasis on the paralegal’s role. Builds upon skills acquired in prior civil litigation courses. Students will analyze complex fact situations; identify legal issues; research applicable sources of law; formulate theories; generate litigation documents; and describe the role and ethical considerations of the paralegal relating to advanced civil litigation.

LGLA 2380 OR 2381 Cooperative Education Paralegal/Assistant
3 Hours (1-0-20)
Career related activities encountered in the student’s area of specialization are offered through a cooperative agreement between the college, employer, and student. Under supervision of the college and the employer, the student combines classroom learning with work experience. Directly related to a technical discipline, specific learning objectives guide the student through work experience. This course may be repeated if topics and learning outcomes vary. As outlined in the learning plan, the student will master the theory, concepts, and skills involving the tools, materials, equipment, procedures, regulations, laws, and interactions within and among political, economic, environmental, and legal systems associated with the particular occupation and the business/industry; demonstrate ethical behavior, safety practices, interpersonal and teamwork skills, communicating in the applicable technical language of the occupation and the business or industry.