Paralegal Studies

Beckfield College prepares students for the fascinating world of the legal field through stimulating legal studies such as personal injury litigation, wills and estates, criminal law, divorce and child custody, and bankruptcy. Beckfield's campus library contains the abundant legal resources for complete research. Additionally, all paralegal students have access to Lexis/Nexis and Westlaw online research tools.

The program prepares future Paralegals to perform tasks such as researching legal issues, drafting and filing legal documents, managing a law office, and interviewing clients. In addition to endowing students with the legal knowledge to understand the various areas of law, our program provides instruction in practical, legal-career skills used by professionals every day.

Associate of Applied Science Degree

The objective of this program is to provide students with the training and technical knowledge necessary for entry-level employment as paralegals. Graduates will be able to communicate their findings and opinions effectively, both orally and in writing, and will be able to perform manual and computerized case research. They will effectively apply legal terminology, as well as perform investigative skills necessary to assist in the drafting of documents such as contracts, mortgages, separation agreements, trust instruments, tax returns, shareholder agreements, stock option plans and employee benefit plans. Graduates will understand the paralegal's place in the legal community, and will understand as well that, except as permitted by law, paralegals do not provide legal services directly to the public.

They will know the difference between admissible and inadmissible, and relevant and irrelevant evidence. They will know how to properly question witnesses, and will understand the burden of proof in civil and criminal cases. They will be able to successfully understand and perform manual and computerized case research. Each student must complete an externship as part of the Paralegal Studies Program. A minimum of 120 hours of externship is required prior to the completion of the program.

Download Program Overview

Virtual Tour

Graduate Placement

Transcript Request

Course Listing

CAP 112 Keyboarding and Word Processing II

This course instructs students in more advanced keyboarding and word processing concepts and skills. Topics and hands-on activities include tables and templates, form letters, merging, macros, on-screen forms, art work, and importing/exporting. The student will also further develop keyboarding skills to increase speed.

Prerequisite:
CAP 111

CAP 115 Introduction To Spreadsheet Applications

This course will provide the student with a fundamental understanding of spreadsheet applications with emphasis on Microsoft’s Excel product while referencing other spreadsheet programs both past and present.

Prerequisite:
MTH 090 or placement

LAW 101A Orientation To Law

This course provides a general overview of the legal system, and exposure to the operating structures and terminology of law. It covers the duties of the paralegal as they relate to the structures of the court system, administrative agencies, private law firms, and public proceedings. A discussion of the importance of ethics is also included.

LAW 101B Introduction To Rules And Procedure

This course is a continuation of LAW 101A and provides a further general overview of the legal system, and exposure to the operating structures and terminology of law. This course is designed to instruct the student on the court rules of procedure and evidence, at both state and federal levels. The course also provides an introduction into the substantive areas of law and a discussion of the appeal process.

Prerequisite: LAW 101A.

LAW 102 Legal Research

This course covers the techniques for gathering information through a working familiarity with major books in the law library, and provides practice in finding and interpreting statutes, in case law and administrative regulations, and in the various means of conducting criminal and civil investigations.

Prerequisite or Co-requisite:
LAW 101B

LAW 103 Legal Analysis

This course will familiarize the student with the principles of research, types of law books, citations, ambiguity in the law, interpreting case and statutory law, legal authority, annotations, the kinds of legal writing, organization and format. Concentration will be on specific research and writing assignments.

Prerequisite:
LAW 102

LAW 104 Family Law

This course addresses how to handle client interviews and draw up necessary pleadings relative to the general practice of law in relation to the family unit. The legal formalities of family law and its impediments are studied. Discussion of marriage annulments, divorce, property rights and distribution, child visitation, alimony, separation, adoption, and parent/child law will be included.

Prerequisite:
LAW 103

LAW 105 Tort Law

This course analyzes civil court procedures, court document preparation, and filing requirements. The student is introduced to evidence law necessary to review depositions and other court-related material to aid in preparing an attorney for trial. Emphasis is placed on assault, battery, nuisance, and negligence.

Prerequisite:
LAW 103

LAW 107 Commercial Law

The student is introduced to the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), and to the application of the UCC to secured transactions and commercial paper. The formation of contracts, consideration, statute of frauds, the capacity to contract, third party beneficiaries, parole evidence, breach of contract, and remedies are also studied.

Prerequisite:
LAW 103

LAW 117 Computer Applications for Paralegals

The student is introduced to the basic functions of computer hardware and software, and gains further instruction in various office applications. Special emphasis is placed on applications for the law office, including document processing, database management systems for file management, litigation support, spreadsheet software, and time, billing, and accounting functions.

Prerequisite:
LAW 101A

LAW 205 Bankruptcy Law

This course is a study of bankruptcy, its terminology and what is involved in the process from the filing of the petition to the discharge of indebtedness. The paralegal's role in the process, as well as the relationship between bankruptcy law and ethics, will be studied.

Prerequisite:
LAW 103, LAW 117

LAW 210 Real Estate Law

This course will provide students with the basic concepts of the law of real property. Mortgages, methods for transferring real estates, closing, landlord/tenant law, purchase and sales agreements, deeds, foreclosures, zoning, and condominium law will be studied.

Prerequisite:
LAW 103

LAW 215 Estates, Trusts and Taxes

This course will cover the requirements, formalities, drafting, and execution of wills and trusts, probating wills, intestacy law, and the administration of wills and estates. Discussions of the Federal Estates, U.S. Fiduciary Tax Return, state inheritance taxes, and the ethical considerations involved are included.

Prerequisite:
LAW 103

LAW 220 Corporations, Partnerships and Agencies

This course presents a survey of the basic principles of corporation law, the creation and operation of corporations, partnerships, and proprietorships. The student will learn to prepare documents for: incorporation, amendments to a corporation charter, by-laws, directors' meetings, minutes, dissolutions, and liquidations.

Prerequisite:
LAW 103

LAW 225 Criminal Law

This course provides instruction in the study of crimes, including crimes against the person and crimes against property, and in the process and procedures involved in criminal litigation with attention given to the constitutional safeguards.

Prerequisite:
LAW 103

LAW 299 Paralegal Externship I

Students in the paralegal certificate or associate degree program are placed in an appropriate legal environment in order to provide them the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge acquired in their collegiate coursework. Students work under the supervision of an attorney or experienced paralegal in such sites as private or public law offices, corporate or government legal departments, or other appropriate settings. Students must complete at least 120 hours of work for the site. In addition to on-site work, the student will attend scheduled seminar sessions at the campus with the program director.

Prerequisite:
Departmental approval

LAW 310 Civil Litigation

This course is an introduction to the process and procedures of civil litigation from the beginning of a conflict to its final resolution. It defines basic principles of discovery and pre-trial motions, interrogatories, bill of particulars, and trial orders. Students will learn to draft legal documents in: investigation of facts, settlement of lawsuits, judgments, and post-trial considerations. Other topics include the structure of state and federal court systems, jurisdiction of administrative agencies, the role of the lawyer, ethics, substantive law, torts, contracts, corporations, partnerships, bankruptcy, workman's compensation, consumer protection, real property, family law, probate, wills, estates, and trusts.

Prerequisite:
LAW 102

LAW 315 Advanced Legal Research and Writing

This course is designed to provide further development in the research and writing skills learned in Legal Research and Legal Analysis.

Prerequisites:
ENG 112, LAW 103.

PRD 100 Strategies For Success

This course provides information and resources which promote students’ academic and professional development. The course introduces students to results of research into cognitive psychology and social learning theory which assist students in engaging the expectations of their academic and professional environments.

General Courses

COM 105 Speech Communication

This course is designed to develop an understanding of the oral communication process. The focus is on improving oral communication skills, idea and message development, and the effective presentation of ideas.

ENG 111 Composition I

Composition I is a course in expository writing, emphasizing those methods which are most frequently used in analysis, evaluation, and argument. Though the course assumes competence in grammar, usage, and mechanics, appropriate review in these skills will be provided as the need arises.

Prerequisite:
ENG 090 or placement

ENG 112 Composition II

This course is a continuation of ENG 111 and is designed to teach students to compose effective argumentative essays, including a researched essay. Emphasis is placed on selection and restriction of topics, thesis statements, organization, development, coherence, clarity, and style. Adherence to the conventions of grammar, usage, and mechanics is required.

Prerequisite:
ENG 111

HUM 101 Ethics

This course introduces students to ethical theories, human conscience and the process of moral decision-making. Morality and immorality, natural law, values and ideals are addressed. Philosophical views are applied to contemporary settings.

POL 101 The American Political System

This course presents a broad overview of the American national government and its various institutions. Topics covered include the Constitution, the legislative, executive and judicial branches, civil liberties, political parties and interest groups. The functions and relationships of state and local governments are also addressed.

SOC 101 Principles of Sociology

This course is an introduction to basic sociological concepts and the principles and methods employed in the scientific study of human societies. Topics include the socialization of individuals and groups, social stratification, social organization, deviant behavior, and the influences leading to social change.

SOC 105 Interpersonal Communication

This course introduces the practices and principles of interpersonal communication. Emphasis is placed on the communication process, perception, listening, self-disclosure, speech apprehension, ethics, nonverbal communication, conflict, power, and dysfunctional communication relationships.