Paralegal Studies (AS)

Associate of Science

Program Overview

The Paralegal Studies program design includes the general education curriculum and required paralegal courses and electives specific to the paralegal profession. Prepares graduates for employment in legal office law practices, administrative law offices, government, administrative law positions, and executive support positions.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of this program, the student should be able to:

Analyze a legal problem by identifying and evaluating alternative arguments in support of specific positions.
Use standard legal resources to identify and locate applicable primary and secondary legal reference materials and appropriately apply them to specific legal problems.
Conduct effective interviews of clients and witnesses and produce accurate and appropriate statements.
Use oral and written communication to effectively inform and persuade.
Apply principles of professional ethics to specific situations.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the structure and operation of the U.S. and Massachusetts legal systems.
Depending on the elective chosen, demonstrate knowledge and skills in specific substantive areas of law.

Paralegal Studies Semester Path

Academic Division of Professional Programs

Paralegal Studies (AS) Courses

- Code
- Course
- Credits
- LAW 101
- Introduction to Paralegal Studies
- 3
This course introduces students to the basic legal principles, practices, and procedures used in the paralegal profession. Topics include an overview of substantive areas of law, as well as law office and courtroom procedures. Students are also introduced to legal research and writing skills.
- LAW 102
- Family Law and Estates
- 3
The course provides an in-depth exploration of family law and estates. The course covers the intricacies of state law as it applies to families, including the legal rights and obligations of parents and children. Other topics include marriage and divorce, adoption, and child custody and support. Additionally, the course discusses state law as it applies to estates and default rules of inheritance, estate planning, wills, and trusts.
- LAW 105
- Law Office Technology
- 3
This course introduces students to various law office technology solutions. Databases, filing methods, and law office software will be explored. Students will gain familiarity with many law office practices and acquire hands-on experience through a law office software simulation.
- LAW 123
- Interviewing & Investigation
- 3
This course will provide the paralegal student with a practical understanding of, and hands-on experience in, the skills and techniques of obtaining information with specific emphasis on client and witness interviewing.
- LAW 201
- Business Law I
- 3
This course will introduce the student to the basic concepts and practices in the areas of torts, contracts, sales, and consumer protection law as they relate to business.
- LAW 212
- Administrative, Tax, and Bankruptcy Law
- 3
This course provides an overview of administrative, tax, and bankruptcy law. Students will be introduced to each of these specialty areas, and the role of the paralegal in facilitating the processing and resolution of these cases.
- LAW 215
- Legal Research & Writing
- 6
Students learn how to analyze a legal problem and how to find and interpret case law and statutes applicable to the problem by using primary and secondary reference materials and law finders. Students will be required to write legal memoranda using the law found through their research.
- LAW 220
- Litigation & Procedure
- 3
The student learns civil procedure and the role a paralegal play in litigation by taking a mock case through each stage of litigation beginning with a client interview to the enforcement of a judgment after trial. Students will draft documents involved in litigation. Prerequisite: LAW 101.
- EXP 297
- Internship I
- 3
Academic internships at Quincy College aid students in professional preparation through work experience directly related to their major and career goals. While the primary emphasis of the course is on the
internship work experience, course assignments are incorporated to prompt reflection on professional skill building. This reflection is an integral component of experiential learning and students' overall career and professional development.