Paralegal (PAR & LAW)
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 1 | Lec | Lab | Credits | |
| ENG 101 | English Composition 1 ( G) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| IM 165 | Legal Office Environment ( B) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| LAW 101 | Business Law ( B) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| FYE 1XX First Year Experience Elective (B) | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| IM 11X Computer Elective (B) | 2 | 2 | 3 | |
| MAT 1XX Mathematics Elective (G) | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Semester 2 | ||||
| BUS 190 | Professional Practices ( B) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| ENG 105 | English Composition 2: Business Communication ( G) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| IM 130 | Electronic Word Processing: Microsoft Word ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| LAW 130 | Estate Planning, Family and Probate Law ( T) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| XXX XXX Legal Specialty Elective 1 (T) | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Semester 3 | ||||
| LAW 291 | Full-Time Cooperative Education 1: Legal Assistant ( T) | 1 | 40 | 2 |
| XXX XXX Management/Marketing Elective (B) | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Semester 4 | ||||
| ACC 101 | Financial Accounting ( B) | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| IM 225 | Legal Transcription and Formatting ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| LAW 120 | Legal Research and Writing ( T) | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| XXX XXX Social Science Elective (G) | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| XXX XXX Legal Specialty Elective 2 (T) | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Semester 5 | ||||
| LAW 292 | Full-Time Cooperative Education 2: Legal Assistant ( T) | 1 | 40 | 2 |
| Semester 6 | ||||
| LAW 210 | Litigation ( T) | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| LAW 290 | Paralegal Capstone ( T) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| XXX XXX Legal Specialty Elective 3 (T) | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| XXX XXX Arts/Humanities Elective (G) | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Total Credits: | 54 | 97 | 63 | |
Electives
| First Year Experience Elective | ||
| FYE 100 | College Survival Skills | 1 |
| FYE 105 | College Success Strategies | 2 |
| FYE 110 | Community College Experience | 3 |
| Computer Elective | ||
| IM 111 | Computer Applications 1 | 3 |
| IM 112 | Computer Applications 2 | 3 |
| Mathematics Elective | ||
| MAT 111 | Business Mathematics | 3 |
| MAT 115 | Pre-Statistics | 3 |
| MAT 131 | Statistics 1 | 3 |
| MAT 151 | College Algebra | 4 |
| Management/Marketing Elective | ||
| MGT 101 | Principles of Management | 3 |
| MGT 105 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| MGT 120 | Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| MGT 130 | Project Management | 3 |
| MKT 101 | Principles of Marketing * | 3 |
| MKT 110 | Sales and Customer Relations | |
| Legal Specialty Electives (9 credit hours required) | ||
| ACC 115 | Accounting Software Applications: Sage (Peachtree) | 1 |
| ACC 121 | Computerized Bookkeeping: QuickBooks 1 | 1 |
| ACC 122 | Computerized Bookkeeping: QuickBooks 2 | 1 |
| CRJ 105 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 135 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| HIM 105 | Legal Aspects of Health Information Management | 2 |
| IM 120 | Electronic Spreadsheets: Microsoft Excel | 3 |
| IM 135 | Business Document Formatting | 3 |
| IM 150 | Electronic Presentations: Microsoft PowerPoint | 3 |
| IM 155 | Emerging Technologies and Social Media | 3 |
| ITP 130 | Legal Issues of Deafness | 1 |
| LAW 110 | Employment Law | 3 |
| LAW 140 | Copyright and Trademark Law in Entertainment Industries | 3 |
| LAW 150 | Bankruptcy, Debt Collection and Secured Transactions | 3 |
| LAW 160 | Administrative Law Practices and Procedures | 2 |
| LBR 105 | Introduction to Labor and Employee Relations | 3 |
| NDR 100 | Introduction to Negotiation and Dispute Resolution | 3 |
| RE 105 | Real Estate Law | 3 |
| 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, SOC | 3 | |
| * | 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 1 | Lec | Lab | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAW 101 | Business Law | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| IM 130 | Electronic Word Processing: Microsoft Word | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| IM 165 | Legal Office Environment | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| XXX XXX Technical Elective 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| XXX XXX Technical Elective 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Semester 2 | ||||
| LAW 120 | Legal Research and Writing | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| LAW 130 | Family and Probate Law | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| LAW 210 | Litigation | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| IM 225 | Legal Transcription and Formatting | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| LAW 290 | Paralegal Capstone | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Total Credits: | 28 | 6 | 30 | |
Electives
| Technical Electives (six credit hours required) | ||
| ACC 115 | Accounting Software Applications: Sage (Peachtree) | 2 |
| ACC 121 | Computerized Bookkeeping: QuickBooks 1 | 2 |
| ACC 122 | Computerized Bookkeeping: QuickBooks 2 | 2 |
| ACC 175 | Federal Taxation: Individuals | 3 |
| ACC 180 | Federal Taxation: Business | 3 |
| CRJ 105 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 110 | Introduction to Policing | 3 |
| CRJ 115 | Introduction to Corrections | 3 |
| CRJ 120 | Introduction to Courts | 3 |
| CRJ 125 | Criminology | 3 |
| CRJ 130 | Criminal Investigation Skills | 3 |
| CRJ 135 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| HIM 105 | Legal Aspects of Health Information Management | 2 |
| IM 120 | Electronic Spreadsheets: Microsoft Excel | 3 |
| IM 135 | Business Document Formatting | 3 |
| IM 140 | Electronic Database Management: Microsoft Access | 3 |
| IM 145 | Document Proofreading and Editing | 3 |
| IM 150 | Electronic Presentations: Microsoft PowerPoint | 3 |
| IM 155 | Emerging Technologies and Social Media | 3 |
| ITP 130 | Legal Issues of Deafness | 1 |
| LAW 110 | Employment Law | 3 |
| LAW 140 | Copyright and Trademark Law in Entertainment Industries | 3 |
| LAW 150 | Bankruptcy, Debt Collection and Secured Transactions | 3 |
| LBR 105 | Introduction to Labor and Employee Relations | 3 |
| RE 105 | Real Estate Law | 3 |
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