Bachelor of Science
Degree (BS) in
Paralegal Studies

Introduces the law and legal system and an overview of the major areas of legal practice. Focuses on legal problem-solving, case analysis, fact pattern analysis, selected topical surveys of law, and legal ethics and professional responsibility for the paralegal.

Teaches legal professionals to write well by examining English, composition, grammar, punctuation, and writing mechanics in the context of good legal writing. Students complete focused exercises designed to build their legal vocabulary and enable them to draft discourses.

Examines the fundamental principles of the law of intentional torts (e.g., battery, assault, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress); negligence (standard of care, breach of duty, causation, damages); strict liability; the torts of nuisance, defamation, invasion of privacy torts; and the defenses to each of these torts. Also addresses the concepts of products liability and vicarious liability.

Develops legal research skills through focused exercises using print and computerized research. Exposes students to primary and secondary legal authorities, with an emphasis on constitutions and statutes. Develops writing skills by analyzing and briefing court opinions, drafting letters, and examining the purposes and uses of a legal memorandum.

Examines basic contract principles, including formation, validity, defenses to formation, rights of third parties, performance, breach, remedies, and damages. Emphasizes case analysis and application of principles, and covers code sections from Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code and the Restatement Second of Contracts.

Develops legal research skills through focused exercises using print and computerized research. Exposes students to primary and secondary legal authorities, with an emphasis on legislative history, administrative materials, and loose-leaf services. Develops writing skills by examining different parts of the legal memorandum, including questions presented, brief answers, statements of fact. And conclusions.

Teaches computer technology as a tool to assist the legal professional in the practice of law. Utilizes lectures, group discussion, and hands-on computer use. Using the latest software for time and billing, case management docketing, control, and litigation support, students complete legal projects with assignments in the computer lab. Students learn how to effectively evaluate vendor products, and design and manage a litigation database project. Also covered are telecommunications and computer-assisted research, and ethical concentrations, such as software piracy, misuse of software and databases, security, and protecting client data.

Examines the law relating to the various types of real-property interests and estates, methods of transferring title, recording statutes and title searches, the nature and scope of easements, leasehold interests, the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants, the law of adverse possession, and covenants regarding title.

Develops legal research skills through focused exercises using print and computerized research. Exposes students to primary and secondary legal authorities, with an emphasis on practice and ethical rules. Develops legal writing skills by implementing the IRAC method, synthesizing various legal authorities, and applying proper legal citation.

Explores the organization and functioning of a law office. Topics include financial planning and management, problem-solving techniques, personnel administration, job descriptions, hiring practices, new employee orientation and training techniques, salary administration, productivity measurement, and interpersonal considerations.

Examines the substantive and procedural aspects of remedies and enforcement of judgments. The first part of the course comprises a study of legal and equitable remedies, including damage, restitutionary, coercive, and declaratory remedies, prejudgment (provisional) remedies, and procedures for the enforcement of judgments. The second part of the course discusses various methods of resolving disputes, including negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.

Explores civil procedure in both state and federal courts, including jurisdiction, venue, parties, pleadings, motions, and an analysis of civil-litigation strategies. Emphasizes the role of the paralegal in discovery and includes discussions of various types of discovery (including depositions, interrogatories, and demands for production of documents), the attorney-client privilege, the work product doctrine, and trial-setting matters.

Covers the formation and structure of corporations, analysis of common corporate documents, initial and amended articles of incorporation, by-laws, meetings and minutes, initial stock-issuance documents, documents relating to internal management of corporate affairs, stock options, buy/sell agreements, resolutions, stock dividends and splits, and liquidation and dissolution.

Examines criminal law, including the criminal legal system, what constitutes a crime, the elements of crimes, inchoate crimes, and criminal defenses.

Focuses on the trial process in civil litigation, with a discussion of the law of evidence. Includes a review of civil procedure before trial. Students examine the role of the paralegal at trial, analyze the use of testimony by expert witnesses, and discuss the practical problems associated with the use of documentary evidence at trial. Covers settlement and negotiation strategies, trial briefs, motions in limine, and other related documents, and includes a brief overview of the law of judgments and the process of appeals.

Examines the regulation of the sale of securities (analysis of the requirements regarding the forms and supporting materials for the registration of securities for California, preparation of California exemption forms, and an overview of federal securities laws), and acquisition and merger agreements (analysis of different types of acquisitions and mergers, statutory requirements of such transactions, and the customary range of provisions that appear in such agreements).

Covers criminal procedure, including search and seizure, confessions and pretrial identification procedures, initial appearance, extradition, grand jury, pretrial conference, constitutional rights, sentencing, punishment, and review.

Allows students the opportunity to conduct in-depth legal research using both print and online resources. Focuses on creating an objective legal document, such as an office memorandum or scholarly legal article, suitable for publication or use as a writing sample on a job interview.

Allows students the opportunity to conduct in-depth legal research using both print and online resources. Focuses on creating a persuasive legal document, such as a motion, mediation brief, or appellate argument, suitable for publication or use as a writing sample on a job interview.

A workshop course for pre-legal and pre-professional students to develop the verbal and analytical skills needed to be effective negotiators in the practice of law and business. Examines general negotiating principles and uses practical student exercises.

A survey of the historic development of Constitutional Law in the United States. The student will learn the philosophical foundations of the Constitution and review how the political climate shaped landmark decisions throughout the history of the United States.

A survey of international law in (1) the civil environment including trade agreements and contracts, and alternative dispute resolution and (2) criminal law, including investigation and prosecution of human rights violation and the remedies for such violations.

This introductory course will provide students with a broad understanding of ADR. The course will cover Negotiation, Mediation, Arbitration how each is used, and the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The course utilizes role plays, simulations, and case studies.

An introductory interactive course designed for students and the business professional to develop the verbal and analytical skills required to perform effectively as a negotiator in conflict situations. Students will participate in negotiating exercises, and learn different negotiating techniques through simulations, videos, and case studies.

An introductory interactive and entertaining course designed for students and business professionals to develop the skills required to perform effectively as a mediator. Students will be introduced to different mediation styles such as facilitative, transformative, and evaluative methods. The course utilizes negotiating principles, role plays, videos, and case studies.

This course explores the behavior of mediators, arbitrators and other neutrals to avoid conflicts of interest and perceived partiality. Through case study and role playing the participant will learn appropriate behavior that improves the quality of the process, enhances competency and promotes acceptance of and confidence in ADR processes. Students will be introduced to topics such as how to remain impartial during a mediation, avoiding conflicts of interest, quality of the process, competency, confidentiality and promoting public confidence in the mediation process.