LANSING COMMUNITY COLLEGE

CURRICULUM GUIDE

Legal Assistant

Associate in Business Degree

Curriculum Code: 0101  (Effective Fall 2004 - Summer 2009)

Legal assistants, also known as paralegals, assist lawyers by performing many of the same tasks, except for those considered to be the practice of law.  To help lawyers prepare cases for trial, they may investigate the facts; perform legal research to identify relevant laws, legal articles, judicial decisions and other documents/materials related to the case; and prepare written reports after organizing and analyzing all the information.  Other duties may include drafting briefs and pleadings, obtaining affidavits, assisting the lawyer during trial, and organizing and maintaining document and correspondence files.  Some legal assistants may help with completing forms, tax returns, and drafting contracts. Not all courses in this program transfer to all colleges.  Students planning to transfer should see an academic advisor or counselor before enrolling in any course. This program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).

PREREQUISITES
Students should see Course Descriptions or Course Offerings for course prerequisite information.  See the Assessment and Placement Testing section for skills assessment and advising information.

INFORMATION
Contact the Business Department, Old Central Building, Room 210, telephone number (517) 483-1522.

REQUIREMENTS

TOTAL:  35 CREDITS

CODE

TITLE

CREDIT HOURS

LEGL 115

Legal Assistant Career/Ethics

3

LEGL 120

Legal Research I

3

LEGL 121

Legal Writing I

3

LEGL 160

Critical Thinking in Law

3

LEGL 210

Litigation Procedures

4

LEGL 211

Tort Law

2

LEGL 215

Busn Law I, Basic Principles

3

LEGL 225

Legal Research and Writing II

3

LEGL 228

Computer Appl for the Law Ofc

3

WRIT 121

Composition I

4

WRIT 122

Composition II

4

LIMITED CHOICE REQUIREMENTS

TOTAL:  28-31 CREDITS

Complete the indicated number of credits from EACH CHOICE listed below.

CHOICE 1:  General Education Core Areas

13-16 Credits

(See General Education Core Requirements for information on how to fulfill these requirements.  Core area proficiency exams, where appropriate, are available for each core area.)

Communication Core Area

3

Global Perspectives and Diversity Core Area

3-4

Mathematics Core Area

3-4

Science Core Area

4-5

Writing Core Area (See Note 1)

0

CHOICE 2:  Business Law

3 Credits

LEGL 216

Busn Law II, Commercial Law

3

LEGL 217

Busn Law III, Busn Organiza

3

LEGL 220

Internat Legal Issues/Organiza

3

CHOICE 3:  Computer Related

3 Credits

CITA 119

Microsoft Word

3

CITA 219

Advanced Microsoft Word

3

OADM 206

Legal Vocabulary/Transcription

3

CHOICE 4:  General Law

9 Credits

LEGL 218

Litigation Specialties

3

LEGL 221

Real Estate Transaction

3

LEGL 222

Probate Law and Procedure

3

LEGL 223

Domestic Relations

3

LEGL 224

Administrative Law

3

LEGL 226

Legal Interview/Investigation

3

LEGL 227

Bankruptcy and Collections

3

LEGL 229

Immigration Law

3

LEGL 280

Legal Assistant Internship

3

MINIMUM TOTAL

63

NOTE:

1.

Students completing "REQUIREMENTS" have fulfilled the requirements for this Core area.

SUGGESTED COURSE SEQUENCE

Students should see course descriptions to find out when departments plan to offer courses.  Students who for any reason are unable to follow the course sequence suggested below (for example, those who are part-time, have transferred in courses from another school, or have prerequisites to fulfill) should contact an academic advisor or counselor for help with adjustments.

I

II

III

IV

LEGL 115

LEGL 120

LEGL 121

LEGL 225

LEGL 160

LEGL 211

LEGL 210

LEGL 228

LEGL 215

WRIT 122

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Lim.Ch.4

WRIT 121

Lim.Ch.1

Lim.Ch.2

Lim.Ch.4

Lim.Ch.1

Lim.Ch.1

Lim.Ch.4

Lim Ch.3