Program Manager: Jason Deater
Email: jadeater@frederick.edu
Phone: 301.846.2687
Program Description
Provides students interested in the paralegal profession or pre-law with specialized legal training to enable them to: understand ethical obligations and professionalism; gather and analyze facts relevant to legal disputes; perform legal research; draft legal documents; prepare witnesses and evidence for presentation at legal proceedings. The paralegal may not practice law and so must work under the direction of an attorney who is licensed to practice.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Apply basic legal concepts and fundamental principles of law for varied legal tasks.
- Recognize a legal dispute, gather facts, and perform legal analysis for varied legal matters.
- Conduct client interviews and prepare witnesses and evidence for presentation at legal proceedings.
- Perform legal research and utilize techniques of legal writing in the preparation of legal documents.
- Demonstrate conduct consistent with the ethical obligations of the legal profession to avoid ethical violations.
Program Requirements
- Students must complete their credit English and Mathematics within the first 24 credits.
- One course must meet the cultural competence graduation requirement.
- CORE: The General Education CORE is that foundation of the higher education curriculum providing a coherent intellectual experience for all students. Students should check with an advisor or the transfer institution (ARTSYS) before selecting General Education CORE requirements. http://artsys.usmd.edu/
- In some General Education categories (Mathematics, Biological & Physical Sciences), a 4-credit course selected from the GenEd course list will satisfy the requirement in place of a 3-credit course. Students should check with an advisor before selecting these courses.
- For the Physical Education, Health, or Nutrition requirement, a 3-credit PHED, HLTH, or NUTR course may satisfy the requirement in place of a 1-credit course. Students should check with an advisor before selecting this course.
- Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in ENGL 101 English Composition.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| English | ||
| ENGL 101 | English Composition | 3 |
| Mathematics | ||
| Mathematics Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Arts & Humanities | ||
| Arts & Humanities Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | ||
| Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Interdisciplinary & Emergency Issues | ||
| Wellness Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| General Education Electives | ||
| General Education Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| General Education Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Physical Education, Health, or Nutrition Requirement | ||
| Wellness elective above satisfies this requirement | ||
| Departmental Requirements | ||
| LGST 100 | Introduction to Law (satisfies Cultural Competence requirement) | 3 |
| LGST 103 | Ethics for the Legal Professional | 3 |
| LGST 104 | Contracts | 3 |
| LGST 105 | Torts | 3 |
| LGST 106 | Technology for the Legal Profession | 3 |
| LGST 200 | Legal Research | 3 |
| LGST 205 | Legal Writing | 3 |
| LGST 220 | Civil Litigation | 3 |
| LGST 240 | Family Law | 3 |
| or INTR 103 | Internship | |
| Electives | ||
| Select 3 of the following: | 9 | |
| Access to Justice Practicum I | ||
| Estates and Probate | ||
| Real Estate | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Criminal Evidence & Procedure | ||
| Business Law | ||
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Transfer Note
For more information on careers and transfer, contact the Career and Academic Planning Services office at 301.846.2471 or visit Transfer Services.
Guided Pathway to Success (GPS)
Suggested schedules map your path to degree completion.
Students should meet with an advisor each semester to carefully select and sequence courses based on their specific academic goals and interests. Visit Jefferson Hall or call 301.846.2471 for advising.
| Recommended First Semester | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 101 | English Composition | 3 |
| LGST 100 | Introduction to Law (Milestone) | 3 |
| LGST 103 | Ethics for the Legal Professional (Milestone) | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Contracts | ||
| Torts | ||
| Arts & Humanities Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Recommended Second Semester | ||
| Mathematics Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Torts | ||
| Contracts | ||
| LGST 106 | Technology for the Legal Profession | 3 |
| LGST 200 | Legal Research (Milestone) | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Recommended Third Semester | ||
| Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Interdisciplinary & Emerging Issues Elective (Gen Ed course list) 1 | 3 | |
| LGST 205 | Legal Writing (Milestone) | 3 |
| LGST 220 | Civil Litigation | 3 |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Recommended Fourth Semester | ||
| General Education Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| General Education Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Family Law | ||
| Internship | ||
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
Wellness Elective (Gen Ed course list) (satisfies Physical education, Health, or Nutrition Requirement)
- 2
Electives: LGST 150 Access to Justice Practicum I, LGST 210 Estates and Probate, LGST 230 Real Estate, CCJS 201 Criminal Law, CCJS 220 Criminal Evidence & Procedure, BMGT 211 Business Law
Pre-Law Option: Paralegal programs are one of many options for students interested in law school. The FCC Paralegal Program curriculum covers the same substantive and procedural content offered at law school. Legal analysis (critical thinking), writing, technology, ethics, and professionalism are infused into all legal specialty classes. The Program Manager, a full-time faculty member, serves as a pre-law advisor and assists students with the law school application process.
Part-time Students
Part-time students should complete courses in the order listed on the pathway. Please contact program manager for questions about part-time status.
Students who take fewer than 15 credits each semester or who require developmental English or Math coursework will need additional semesters to complete their degrees. Summer term and January session classes may help students to make faster progress.
Pathway Legend
Milestone - courses with the Milestone notation should be taken within the recommend credit range to stay on track for program completion.
Fall, Spring, Summer - courses with a Fall, Spring, or Summer notation indicate the course is offered in the specified semester only.