Paralegal Studies

Paralegal Studies | Liberal Studies | Sociology / Criminal Justice   | Business Administration Minor

Michelle Payne, M. Ed., JD   Director of the Paralegal Program

817-531-6507 mpayne@txwes.edu     

Please talk to Paralegal advisor about any prerequisites and what courses must be taken at an alternative location!

Program description and goals:

Paralegals perform a wide assortment of tasks in a broad range of legal matters. Some are engaged in high-level work that was once the province of associate-level lawyers; others are doing work of less sophistication. All paralegals, however, are engaged in careers which require broad academic abilities and education, as well as keen interpersonal skills.  Paralegals must balance the necessities of their work duties, the demands of a fast-paced law office environment, and the professional needs of their employers with a sensitivity to clients, clerks, and judges alike. It is clear that through our relationship with Tarrant County College, the students entering our program for their last two years of their education have acquired some career orientated knowledge and academic skills. The learning goals for the Texas Wesleyan program include, but are not limited to:

• Communication abilities;
• Ethical understanding and reasoning abilities;
• Analytic skills;
• Multicultural understanding; and,
• Reflective thinking skills.

The primary concern of a good legal assistant program is the development of occupational competence. The program also includes general education courses.  The curriculum stresses understanding and reasoning rather than rote learning of facts. The legal specialty courses emphasize how the subject being studied is applied to the practice of law. The program also emphasizes principles and procedures common to a variety of law related activities.

The Texas Wesleyan Paralegal Program also provides training in various specialty areas, including law office management, trial advocacy, and professional ethics. Courses are taught by both full and part time faculty members with a minimum J.D. degree.  Our faculty bring a multitude of specialty experiences to the classroom environment. Course offerings include daytime, weekends and evening courses. Transfer agreements with ABA accredited institutions allow for flexibility in transfer hours. Completion of all requirements confers upon the graduate a Paralegal Certificate.

Goals and Objectives in Paralegal Studies are as follows:

1. To foster a global perspective in the area of paralegal studies:

• A.  By including comparative principles and practices in the various core legal studies courses;
• B.  By familiarizing students with the international origins of the principles that inform the American legal system.

2. To contribute to meeting the legal profession's need for well-trained paralegal personnel:

• A.  By requiring students to perform internships that offer direct experience with legal outreach and pro bono practice;
• B.  By ensuring that graduates are competent to function as members of a professional team delivering legal services to the community.

3. To prepare students for a career as a legal assistant:

• A.  By providing a program that familiarizes students with professional practices;
• B.  By assuring that students are familiar with the legal system, including Federal and State courts, Statutes, Codes, and international treaties;
• C.  By requiring that students become familiar with legal theory and its practical applications in the various disciplines, including legal research, civil litigation, real estate, and law office management.
• D.  By emphasizing the importance of ethical conduct in legal practice.
• E.  By emphasizing academic writing skills through written assignments.
• F.  By developing oral communication skills through open discussions.
• G. By developing critical thinking skills.

This academic program has been designed to give students the analytical skills and intellectual framework they will need to succeed as professionals in a dynamic field of practice.

Please talk to Paralegal advisor about any prerequisites and what courses must be taken at an alternative location!

Paralegal Studies

Bachelor of Science

GENERAL EDCUATION CURRICULUM (51-53)

Computer competency requirements- see catalog

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (30)

PHI 2301 Logic

3PR 4302 Logical Thinking in the Professions

PLS 3310 Law Office and Project Management, and Computers 

BUA 3301 Business Communications AND

ENG 3300B Writing in the Workplace

MGT 4359 Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

PLS 4322 Trial Advocacy and Preparation

Any FOUR of the following courses if BUSI 2301[Business Law I] and BUSI 2302 [Business Law II] were taken at Tarrant County College or elsewhere; otherwise, PLS 3311 [BUA3311] and PLS3312 [BUA3312] plus TWO of the following:

PLS 4320 Internship

PLS 3310 Law Office Management and Computers

PLS 3314 Judicial Process

PLS 3319 Criminal Law and Justice (CRJ 3319, POL 3319)

PLS 3324 American Constitutional Law

PLS 3332 Sports and the Law

PLS 4301 Real Estate Law

PLS 4303 Creditor's Rights and Bankruptcy

PLS 4305 Intellectual Property

PLS 4308 Consumer Law

PLS 4310 International Business and Trade Law

PLS 4321 International Law

SOC 4332 The Local Community

The following courses from Tarrant County College or their equivalent (24)

LGLA 1307 Intro to Law and the Legal Professions

LGLA 1334- Civil Litigation

LGLA 1353 Wills, Trusts and Probate Administration

LGLA 1303 Legal Research

LGLA 1305 Legal Writing

LGLA 1355 Family Law

LGLA 2303 Torts and Personal Injury Law

LGLA 2380 Cooperative Education

ELECTIVES (18)

TOTAL HOURS= 124(5)

Michelle Payne, Director of the Paralegal Program                                   

817-531-6507 or mpayne@txwes.edu