This is an archived copy of the 2016-17 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://coursecatalog.tamuc.edu.

Paralegal Studies B.A./B.S.

The Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal Studies is career-specific because it is designed to prepare people to work in support of attorneys. The program stresses the fundamentals of legal research, family law, probate, civil procedure, business organizations, law office management, real estate law, and constitutional law.

The paralegal studies program provides a broadly-based liberal arts and specialized education for paralegals/legal assistants.  Program graduates will be qualified to work under the supervision of an attorney.  The program does not train lawyers or legal administrators.  Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.

Core Curriculum Courses
See the Core Curriculum Requirements42
Required courses in the major *
PSCI 222Introduction to Law3
PSCI 223LEGAL RESEARCH3
PSCI 310LAW OFFICE MANAGEMENT3
PSCI 322Civil Procedure3
PSCI 426PARALEGAL INTERNSHIP3
PSCI 427TORTS AND PERSONAL INJURY LAW3
Plus 15 sh from the following: 15
PSCI 312BANKRUPTCY FOR PARALEGALS
PSCI 321Probate
PSCI 323Business Law for Paralegals
PSCI 324Criminal Law & Procedure
PSCI 325Family Law
PSCI 328REAL ESTATE LAW FOR PARALEGALS
PSCI 422Trial/Appellate Litigation/Pro
Choose BA or BS Option
(listed below)45
Total Hours120
BS ONLY (Non-Language)
Upper Level Political Science Courses, Excludes: PSCI 310, PSCI 312,PSCI 321, PSCI 322, PSCI 323,PSCI 324,PSCI 325, PSCI 328 ,PSCI 422, PSCI 426, and PSCI 4273
HIST 265GLB/A World Divided: Global History3
or HIST 305 GLB/World History to 17th Century
or HIST 306 GLB/The Modern World
Electives6
Minor Required
Minimum 18 hours in the Minor18
Additional Electives15
Total Hours45
BA ONLY (Lanugage)
Language Requirement
12 hours of a foreign language*12
Minor Required
Minimum 18 hours in the Minor18
Additional Electives14
Total Hours45
*

Note: In addition to fulfilling these requirements, students majoring in Paralegal Studies must submit a portfolio of their work in Paralegal Studies courses and complete a survey on their experiences in the program. 

**

Paralegal students must complete an internship of 160 hours.  Students must contact the Program Director at least two month prior to the semester the student plans to participate in the internship.


Other information for First and Second Majors, Paralegal Studies Major

Courses in the Paralegal Studies Major are designated PS-R=required paralegal specialty course; PS-E=elective paralegal specialty course.