Paralegal (PAR & LAW)

This is an archived copy of the 2017-18 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.cincinnatistate.edu.

Paralegal (PAR)

The Paralegal degree program prepares students to become Paralegals, also known as Legal Assistants. While earning an Associate of Applied Business degree, students gain knowledge and skills required to assist attorneys, judges, and other legal professionals in many legal practice settings.

Students learn to investigate facts, conduct research on legal issues, interview clients, organize and evaluate case materials, draft legal documents, and communicate effectively with legal professionals. Students also gain knowledge of substantive and procedural law, concentrating on the most prevalent areas of legal practice, as well as understanding of legal office procedures, time management and organizational skills.

Cooperative education experience provides practical hands-on training to help students launch their paralegal career.

Paralegal Certificate (LAW)

The Paralegal Certificate program at Cincinnati State prepares students for careers in the legal profession in three key employment areas: employees of attorneys (the dominant category), self-employed individuals who work for attorneys, and self-employed individuals who provide their services directly to the public with attorney supervision.

Students learn substantive and procedural law, concentrating on the most prevalent areas of legal practice, as well as general civil and criminal litigation practice.

Students earning the Legal Administrative Assistant associate’s degree may wish to add the Paralegal Certificate to enhance their studies.

For more information, please contact the Business Technologies Division at (513) 569-1620.

To apply for this program at Cincinnati State, visit our Admissions Page

Paralegal (PAR.AAB)

First Year
Semester 1LecLabCredits
ENG 101English Composition 1 ( G) 303
IM 165Legal Office Environment ( B) 303
LAW 101Business Law ( B) 303
FYE 1XX First Year Experience Elective (B)  101
IM 11X Computer Elective (B)  223
MAT 1XX Mathematics Elective (G)  303
Semester 2  
BUS 190Professional Practices ( B) 101
ENG 105English Composition 2: Business Communication ( G) 303
IM 130Electronic Word Processing: Microsoft Word ( T) 233
LAW 130Estate Planning, Family and Probate Law ( T) 303
XXX XXX Legal Specialty Elective 1 (T)  303
Semester 3  
LAW 291Full-Time Cooperative Education 1: Legal Assistant ( T) 1402
XXX XXX Management/Marketing Elective (B)  303
Semester 4  
ACC 101Financial Accounting ( B) 223
IM 225Legal Transcription and Formatting ( T) 233
LAW 120Legal Research and Writing ( T) 223
XXX XXX Social Science Elective (G)  303
XXX XXX Legal Specialty Elective 2 (T)  303
Semester 5  
LAW 292Full-Time Cooperative Education 2: Legal Assistant ( T) 1402
Semester 6  
LAW 210Litigation ( T) 223
LAW 290Paralegal Capstone ( T) 233
XXX XXX Legal Specialty Elective 3 (T)  303
XXX XXX Arts/Humanities Elective (G)  303
Total Credits:  549763

Electives

First Year Experience Elective
FYE 100College Survival Skills1
FYE 105College Success Strategies2
FYE 110Community College Experience3
Computer Elective
IM 111Computer Applications 13
IM 112Computer Applications 23
Mathematics Elective
MAT 111Business Mathematics3
MAT 115Pre-Statistics3
MAT 131Statistics 13
MAT 151College Algebra4
Management/Marketing Elective
MGT 101Principles of Management3
MGT 105Human Resource Management3
MGT 120Entrepreneurship3
MGT 130Project Management3
MKT 101Principles of Marketing *3
MKT 110Sales and Customer Relations
Legal Specialty Electives (9 credit hours required)
ACC 115Accounting Software Applications: Sage (Peachtree)1
ACC 121Computerized Bookkeeping: QuickBooks 11
ACC 122Computerized Bookkeeping: QuickBooks 21
CRJ 105Introduction to Criminal Justice3
CRJ 135Criminal Law3
HIM 105Legal Aspects of Health Information Management2
IM 120Electronic Spreadsheets: Microsoft Excel3
IM 135Business Document Formatting3
IM 150Electronic Presentations: Microsoft PowerPoint3
IM 155Emerging Technologies and Social Media3
ITP 130Legal Issues of Deafness1
LAW 110Employment Law3
LAW 140Copyright and Trademark Law in Entertainment Industries3
LAW 150Bankruptcy, Debt Collection and Secured Transactions3
LAW 160Administrative Law Practices and Procedures2
LBR 105Introduction to Labor and Employee Relations3
NDR 100Introduction to Negotiation and Dispute Resolution3
RE 105Real Estate Law3
Arts/Humanities Elective
Any Transfer Module course from ART, LIT, MUS, PHI, REL, THE, or COMM 130 3
Social Science Elective
Any Transfer Module course from GEO, HST, LBR, POL, PSY, SOC3
*

 Has a corequisite of ECO 105

The letters G, B, and T (displayed after course titles or elective descriptions) identify types of courses required by the Ohio Department of Higher Education as part of an associate’s degree curriculum. 

G = General Education course in this curriculum

B = Basic Skills course in this curriculum

T = Technical course in this curriculum

Paralegal Certificate (LAW)

Semester 1LecLabCredits
LAW 101Business Law 303
IM 130Electronic Word Processing: Microsoft Word 233
IM 165Legal Office Environment 303
XXX XXX Technical Elective 1  303
XXX XXX Technical Elective 2  303
Semester 2  
LAW 120Legal Research and Writing 303
LAW 130Family and Probate Law 303
LAW 210Litigation 303
IM 225Legal Transcription and Formatting 233
LAW 290Paralegal Capstone 303
Total Credits:  28630

Electives

Technical Electives (six credit hours required)
ACC 115Accounting Software Applications: Sage (Peachtree)2
ACC 121Computerized Bookkeeping: QuickBooks 12
ACC 122Computerized Bookkeeping: QuickBooks 22
ACC 175Federal Taxation: Individuals3
ACC 180Federal Taxation: Business3
CRJ 105Introduction to Criminal Justice3
CRJ 110Introduction to Policing3
CRJ 115Introduction to Corrections3
CRJ 120Introduction to Courts3
CRJ 125Criminology3
CRJ 130Criminal Investigation Skills3
CRJ 135Criminal Law3
HIM 105Legal Aspects of Health Information Management2
IM 120Electronic Spreadsheets: Microsoft Excel3
IM 135Business Document Formatting3
IM 140Electronic Database Management: Microsoft Access3
IM 145Document Proofreading and Editing3
IM 150Electronic Presentations: Microsoft PowerPoint3
IM 155Emerging Technologies and Social Media3
ITP 130Legal Issues of Deafness1
LAW 110Employment Law3
LAW 140Copyright and Trademark Law in Entertainment Industries3
LAW 150Bankruptcy, Debt Collection and Secured Transactions3
LBR 105Introduction to Labor and Employee Relations3
RE 105Real Estate Law3

Courses

LAW 101 Business Law
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on the legal environment in which businesses operate.
Prerequisites: AFL 080 or appropriate placement test score

Ohio Transfer Assurance Guide Approved

LAW 110 Employment Law
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on major federal laws regarding employment rights, and responsibilities of the employer and employee. Topics include: public policy and processes related to hiring, work environment, and resignation and termination; and recent trends in employment law.
Prerequisites: AFL 080 or appropriate placement test score

LAW 120 Legal Research and Writing
3 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours.

A course on concepts and techniques for conducting legal research and composing legal documents. Topics include: research purposes and uses; citation procedure and format; computer research tools including LEXIS; and writing materials such as briefs, pleadings, memorandums, motions, and discovery documents. Students must attend field trips and work with a law clinic offering services to clients.
Prerequisites: LAW 101, and AFL 085 or appropriate placement test score

LAW 130 Family and Probate Law
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on concepts and processes of family and probate law. Topics include: marriage, dissolution, divorce, and prenuptial agreements; child custody, visitation, and support; adoption and guardianship; juvenile law; and trusts and estate administration.
Prerequisites: AFL 085 and LAW 101

LAW 140 Copyright and Trademark Law in Entertainment Industries
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on concepts and processes used to protect intellectual property in entertainment industries. Topics include: representing creative talent; business and personality interests; licensing; copyright; and legal concerns in music publishing, sound recording, literary publishing, and film and television.
Prerequisites: LAW 101

LAW 150 Bankruptcy, Debt Collection and Secured Transactions
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on the bankruptcy code and the bankruptcy process from debtor and creditor perspectives. Topics include: filing Chapter 7, 13, and 11 bankruptcies; individual and business liquidation and reorganization plans; and secured transactions including mortgages and other liens.
Prerequisites: LAW 101

LAW 160 Administrative Law Practices and Procedures
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 2 Lab Hours.

A course on forms, procedures, and case management methods used in administrative agencies. Topics include: intake, claim filing, processing, and handling appeals to Social Security, Unemployment, Worker's Compensation and other State and Federal agencies. Students must attend field trips and work with a law clinic offering services to clients.
Prerequisites: LAW 101

LAW 191 Part-Time Cooperative Education 1: Legal Assistant
1 Credit. 1 Lecture Hour. 20 Lab Hours.

Students seeking an associate's degree participate in their first part-time field learning experience related to their degree. Students are expected to register for academic courses during the same semester. Students must follow cooperative education policies and procedures to earn credit. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: BUS 190

LAW 192 Part-Time Cooperative Education 2: Legal Assistant
1 Credit. 1 Lecture Hour. 20 Lab Hours.

Students seeking an associate's degree participate in their second part-time field learning experience related to their degree. Students are expected to register for academic courses during the same semester. Students must follow cooperative education policies and procedures to earn credit. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: LAW 191

LAW 193 Part-Time Cooperative Education 3: Legal Assistant
1 Credit. 1 Lecture Hour. 20 Lab Hours.

Students seeking an associate's degree participate in their third part-time field learning experience related to their degree. Students are expected to register for academic courses during the same semester. Students must follow cooperative education policies and procedures to earn credit. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: LAW 192

LAW 194 Part-Time Cooperative Education 4: Legal Assistant
1 Credit. 1 Lecture Hour. 20 Lab Hours.

Students seeking an associate's degree participate in their fourth part-time field learning experience related to their degree. Students are expected to register for academic courses during the same semester. Students must follow cooperative education policies and procedures to earn credit. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: LAW 193

LAW 195 Part-Time Cooperative Education 5: Legal Assistant
1 Credit. 1 Lecture Hour. 20 Lab Hours.

Students seeking an associate's degree participate in their fifth part-time field learning experience related to their degree. Students are expected to register for academic courses during the same semester. Students must follow cooperative education policies and procedures to earn credit. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: LAW 194

LAW 196 Part-Time Cooperative Education 6: Legal Assistant
1 Credit. 1 Lecture Hour. 20 Lab Hours.

Students seeking an associate's degree participate in their sixth part-time field learning experience related to their degree. Students are expected to register for academic courses during the same semester. Students must follow cooperative education policies and procedures to earn credit. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: LAW 195

LAW 198 First Year Special Topics in Law
1-9 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on selected topics related to Law, which gives students opportunities to study information not currently covered in other courses. Grades issued are A, B, C, D, or F.
Prerequisites: Vary by section

LAW 199 First Year Independent Project in Law
1-9 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.

A project related to Law that is completed by one or more students to meet specific educational goals. Projects must have prior approval and supervision by Law faculty. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: Vary by section

LAW 210 Litigation
3 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours.

A course on concepts and processes of criminal and civil litigation. Topics include: parties to lawsuits, pleadings, motion practice, Federal Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure, Federal Rules of Evidence, discovery, trial judgments, and alternative dispute resolution. Students must attend field trips and work with a law clinic offering services to clients.
Prerequisites: LAW 101

LAW 290 Paralegal Capstone
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

Students use knowledge and skills gained in previous courses to complete a project related to the duties of the paralegal.
Prerequisites: IM 225 and LAW 120 (minimum grade C for both)

LAW 291 Full-Time Cooperative Education 1: Legal Assistant
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 40 Lab Hours.

Students seeking an associate's degree participate in their first full-time field learning experience related to their degree. Students must follow cooperative education policies and procedures to earn credit. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: BUS 190

LAW 292 Full-Time Cooperative Education 2: Legal Assistant
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 40 Lab Hours.

Students seeking an associate's degree participate in their second full-time field learning experience related to their degree. Students must follow cooperative education policies and procedures to earn credit. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: LAW 291

LAW 293 Full-Time Cooperative Education 3: Legal Assistant
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 40 Lab Hours.

Students seeking an associate's degree participate in their third full-time field learning experience related to their degree. Students must follow cooperative education policies and procedures to earn credit. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: LAW 292

LAW 298 Second Year Special Topics in Law
1-9 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on selected topics related to Law, which gives students opportunities to study information not currently covered in other courses. Grades issued are A, B, C, D, or F.
Prerequisites: Vary by section

LAW 299 Second Year Independent Project in Law
1-9 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.

A project related to Law that is completed by one or more students to meet specific educational goals. Projects must have prior approval and supervision by Law faculty. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: Vary by section

Faculty

Program Chair/Advisor

Paula Kirch Smith, M.Ed., CHE
paula.kirchsmith@cincinnatistate.edu

Advisor

Laura Drake, J.D.
laura.drake@cincinnatistate.edu