Paralegal (PAR & LAW)

This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 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.

In addition, students gain understanding of legal office procedures, time management, and organizational skills.

Cooperative education experience provides practical hands-on training to help students begin a career as a Paralegal.

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

To apply for this program at Cincinnati State, visit the Admissions section of the College website.

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 Administrative Assistant associate's degree with emphasis in the Legal Administrative Assistant track may wish to add the Paralegal Certificate to enhance their studies.

To be admitted to the certificate programs, students must have an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree, or Program Chair consent.

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

To apply for this program at Cincinnati State, visit the Admissions section of the College website.

Paralegal (PAR)

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
MAT 1XX Mathematics Elective (G)  223
IM 111Computer Applications ( B) 233
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 Elective (B)  303
Semester 4  
ACC 101Financial Accounting ( B) 223
IM 225Legal Document Formatting ( T) 233
LAW 120Legal Research and Writing ( T) 303
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) 303
LAW 290Paralegal Capstone ( T) 233
XXX XXX Legal Specialty Elective 3 (T)  303
XXX XXX Arts/Humanities Elective (G)  303
Total Credits:  559663

Electives

First Year Experience Elective
FYE 100College Success Strategies: Overview1
FYE 105College Success Strategies: Overview and Application2
FYE 110College Success Strategies: Practice and Application3
Mathematics Elective
MAT 105Quantitative Reasoning3
MAT 111Business Mathematics3
MAT 115Pre-Statistics3
MAT 131Statistics 13
MAT 151College Algebra4
Management Elective
MGT 101Principles of Management3
MGT 105Human Resource Management3
Legal Specialty Electives (9 credit hours required)
ACC 121Computerized Bookkeeping: QuickBooks 11
CRJ 105Introduction to Criminal Justice3
CRJ 120Introduction to Courts3
HIM 105Legal Aspects of Health Information Management2
LAW 110Employment and Administrative Law3
LAW 150Bankruptcy, Debt Collection and Secured Transactions3
RE 105Real Estate Law3
Arts/Humanities Elective
Any Transfer Module course from ART, MUS, THE, or ART 120 or any course from COMM (except COMM 110), CULT, FRN, ITP, LIT, PHI, REL, SPN3
Social Science Elective
Any Transfer Module course from GEO, HST, LBR, POL, PSY, SOC3

Some courses are offered in alternative versions identified with a letter after the course number-- for example, ENG 101 and ENG 101A.

  • This curriculum displays only course numbers without the added letter.
  • The alternative version, when available, meets the requirements of the course version without the added letter.

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
IM 225Legal Document Formatting 233
XXX XXX Computer Skills Elective  303
Semester 2  
LAW 120Legal Research and Writing 303
LAW 130Estate Planning, Family and Probate Law 303
LAW 210Litigation 303
LAW 290Paralegal Capstone 303
XXX XXX Technical Elective  303
Total Credits:  28630

Electives

Computer Skills Elective (3 credit hours required)
ACC 121Computerized Bookkeeping: QuickBooks 11
IM 107Introductory Electronic Presentations: Microsoft PowerPoint1
IM 108Introductory Electronic Spreadsheets: Microsoft Excel1
IM 109Introductory Database Management: Microsoft Access1
IM 111Computer Applications 3
IM 120Electronic Spreadsheets: Microsoft Excel3
IM 135Business Document Formatting3
IM 145Document Proofreading and Editing3
IM 150Electronic Presentations: Microsoft PowerPoint3
IM 155Emerging Technologies and Social Media3
Technical Elective (3 credit hours required)
CRJ 105Introduction to Criminal Justice3
CRJ 120Introduction to Courts3
HIM 105Legal Aspects of Health Information Management2
LAW 110Employment and Administrative Law3
LAW 150Bankruptcy, Debt Collection and Secured Transactions3
RE 105Real Estate Law3

Some courses are offered in alternative versions identified with a letter after the course number-- for example, ENG 101 and ENG 101A.

  • This curriculum displays only course numbers without the added letter.
  • The alternative version, when available, meets the requirements of the course version without the added letter.

Paralegal (PAR)

  • Define legal terminology in numerous areas of the law.
  • Identify major legal systems and functions of the law in American society.
  • Discuss ethical rules and considerations applicable to the legal profession and non-attorney professionals.
  • Draft a variety of documents, including case briefs, pleadings, discovery requests, office memoranda, correspondence, and legal forms.
  • Analyze applicable case and statutory law for a variety of law-related topics and client scenarios.
  • Apply legal research skills to support case law and statutory analysis, legal document preparation, and fact gathering in a variety of law-related situations.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of e-filing, and how to locate local court rules and the civil rules of procedure.
  • Demonstrate oral communication skills in a variety of educational and professional settings.
  • Utilize law and office related technology resources in a variety of law office procedures, including file management, timekeeping, document management, document creation, eDiscovery, and social media.

Courses

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

A course on the legal environment in which businesses operate.
Prerequisites: ENG 085 (minimum grade C) or appropriate placement

Ohio Transfer Assurance Guide Approved

LAW 110 Employment and Administrative Law
3 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours.

A course on major federal laws regarding employment rights; responsibilities of the employer and employee; and forms, procedures, and case management methods used in administrative agencies. Topics include: public policy and processes related to hiring; work environment; resignation and termination; intake; claim filing and processing; handling appeals to Social Security, Unemployment, Worker's Compensation and other State and Federal agencies; and recent employment trends. Students must attend field trips and work with a law clinic.
Prerequisites: LAW 101 and ENG 080 or appropriate placement

LAW 120 Legal Research and Writing
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

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.
Prerequisites: LAW 101 and ENG 101

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

A course on concepts and processes of family and probate law and estate planning. Topics include: marriage, dissolution, divorce, and prenuptial agreements; child custody, visitation, and support; adoption and guardianship; juvenile law; and trusts and estate administration.
Prerequisites: ENG 085 or appropriate placement, and 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 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 (minimum grade C)

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 210 Litigation
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

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.
Prerequisites: LAW 101 and ENG 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 (minimum grade C)

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

Faculty

Program Chair

Colleen Meyer, M.Ed., CIW-CI, CIW Associate, Microsoft Office Specialist
colleen.meyer@cincinnatistate.edu

Co-op Coordinator

Adam Waits, MSML
adam.waits@cincinnatistate.edu

Advisor

Megan Hatton, MS Ed
megan.hatton@cincinnatistate.edu