Paralegal StudiesBeckfield 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. Certificate in Paralegal StudiesThe objective of the Certificate in Paralegal Studies Program is to provide students with the instruction, training, and technical knowledge that will enable them to gain entry-level employment as paralegals,. Graduates of this program will be able to handle legal matters logically and communicate their findings and opinions effectively, both orally and in writing. Additionally, graduates of this program 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. Students are required to take all courses in the Core Curriculum and choose an elective path for a total of 40 credit hours. A completed bachelor's degree is required for admission to this program. |
Core
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 Proceedures
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 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 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 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 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 Litigation Path Elective:
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 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 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 Family Path Elective:
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 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 215 Estates and Trusts
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 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 Financial Path Elective:
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 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 220 Corporations, Partenerships, 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 General Path Elective:
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 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 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 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 |
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