Paralegal Studies Certificate

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The goal of the Paralegal Program is not only to train students in the practical application of legal theory, but to fine tune their analytical, communication and organizational skills, while always being aware of the unauthorized practice of law prohibition. Paralegals must always work under the supervision and direction of a licensed attorney.
In order to achieve these goals, the program has the following specific objectives:

to implement and maintain a diverse and strong program for the quality education of competent paralegals;
to give our students not only a broad knowledge of numerous areas of law, but also specific legal skills;
with the knowledge and skills provided by our program, to enable our graduates to find employment by a wide range of employers in their chosen field;
to prepare our students to work effectively and efficiently with attorneys, clients, and the public;
to strengthen and enhance the skills of our students who are already employed in law-related positions;
to enable students to think critically, reason abstractly, use oral and written language effectively;
to be sure our students understand and value the important concepts of legal ethics, confidentiality, professional responsibility, and the boundaries of and prohibitation against the unauthorized practice of law by laypersons; and
to encourage and improve the role of non-lawyers in the delivery of legal services.

This certificate is available only to students who have earned at least an Associate’s Degree (AA or AS) or a bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) from an accredited institution.

Program Requirements

Required Courses (18 hours)

PARA 1100 - Introduction to Paralegalism and Ethics Location Offered: Gainesville
PARA 2104 - Legal Research Location Offered: Gainesville
PARA 2105 - Wills, Probate and Estate Administration Location Offered: Gainesville
PARA 2106 - Computers for the Legal Profession Location Offered: Gainesville
PARA 2107 - Civil Procedure and Litigation Location Offered: Gainesville
PARA 2108 - Criminal Procedure and Litigation Location Offered: Gainesville

Elective Paralegal Courses (select 9 hours)

PARA 2201 - Real Estate Title Examination Location Offered: Gainesville
PARA 2202 - Real Estate Closings Location Offered: Gainesville
PARA 2203 - Family Law Location Offered: Gainesville
PARA 2204 - Business Organizations/Contracts Location Offered: Gainesville
PARA 2206 - Internship Location Offered: Gainesville
PARA 2207 - Bankruptcy Location Offered: Gainesville
PARA 2210 - Torts Location Offered: Gainesville

Required General Education Courses (6 hours)

BUSA 2106 - The Environment of Business Location Offered: Gainesville and Oconee
CISM 2201 - Computer Information Systems Location Offered: Gainesville and Oconee

Total Hours (29 or 30)

Note:

This certificate is approved by the American Bar Association.
Students qualifying are classified as “special” students, and as such, are not evaluated for learning support and are not required to take the Regents’ Test.
All paralegal classes are taught at night on the Gainesville State College Gainesville Campus.
PARA 1100 Introduction to Paralegalism and Ethics – is a prerequisite course for all the remaining paralegal courses.
Overall GPA of 2.0 to receive Certificate.

Gaineville State College Policy for Acceptance of Transfer Credit for Paralegal Studies

(Revised July, 2006)

Gainesville State College has adopted the following policy to be used when a student requests transfer credit for any paralegal course taken at another institution.
Any student seeking to obtain transfer credit for any specific paralegal course taken at another institution must provide the following documentation and information to the Registrar’s Office:

(a) The name and address of the institution;
(b) A transcript or other equivalent showing the course title, date taken, and grade received;
(c) The course syllabus; and
(d) Documentation of whether or not the paralegal program at the institution has obtained ABA approval.
Upon receipt of the above, the Registrar will consult with the Director of the Gainesville State College Paralegal Program as to whether or not transfer credit shall be given for the course requested.
Transfer credit will only be allowed if the course complies with all criteria of an equivalent course offered in the Gainesville State College Paralegal Studies program.2.Transfer credit will only be allowed for a course in which the student received a 2.0 or higher.
Transfer credit will only be allowed for a course in which the student received a 2.0 or higher.
The maximum number of legal specialty credit allowed for transfer shall not exceed nine semester hours.
Gainesville State College will not allow transfer credit for any course which was taken at an institution (other than a University System of Georgia school) which is not ABA approved.