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PARALEGAL STUDIES
PROGRAM
(American Bar Association Approved)
Recent Graduates Survey
In the 21st century, the practice of law is becoming
more specialized, more regulated, and more costly.
The "legal team," is more and more often chosen as
the most successful and cost-efficient method of
practicing law. An integral part of the legal team
is the paralegal.
Paralegals are not attorneys, secretaries, or law
clerks. Paralegals are professionals skilled in the
delivery of legal services. Paralegals work under
the direct supervision of attorneys and are subject
to the same ethical standards as attorneys.
Two-step Admission
Persons interested in entering the Paralegal Studies
Program must be accepted by the University as a
credit- seeking student by completing an Application
for Admission; the application may be accessed at
www.uno.edu or by
calling 280-6595. For more information concerning
University Admissions procedures, call the
Admissions
Office of the Lakefront Campus at 280-6595.
Financial aid is available to qualified applicants
through the Financial Aid Office of the Lakefront
Campus, 280-6603.
The second requirement for admission into the
Paralegal Studies Program is successful completion
of the Program's Aptitude Examination. The
examination lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes and can be
scheduled by contacting the Paralegal Studies
Program Office at 539-9500.
Program Options
There are two curriculum options available to
students in the Paralegal Studies Program:
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Option
Students choosing this option already possess a
baccalaureate degree and must successfully complete
27 credit hours in the Paralegal Studies curriculum.
60 Hour Non-Degree Credit Certificate
Students choosing this option do not have a
baccalaureate degree. A student must successfully
complete 27 credit hours in the Paralegal Studies
curriculum and an additional 33 credit hours in
approved general education courses. English 1158
must be one of the general education courses
completed.
Any student wishing to enter the Paralegal Studies
Program is strongly encouraged to speak with the
Paralegal Studies Program Academic Advisor or the
Department of History's Paralegal Academic Advisor
prior to registration. The Paralegal Studies Program
Office also maintains a placement service to assist
graduates in obtaining employment after
certification. In order to enroll in ANY paralegal
course, a student MUST be eligible for ENGL 1157.
Certification Requirements
The Paralegal Studies Program offers a total of 22
different courses. Of these, 9 courses are required
for Certification. Each course in the Paralegal
Studies curriculum conveys 3 credit hours.
Therefore, each student must successfully complete
the 7 required courses and 2 electives.
The seven required courses are:
SOSC 1901 - PL: Introduction to Legal Concepts
SOSC 2005 - PL: Legal Research
SOSC 2011 - PL: Litigation
SOSC 2013 - PL: Legal Ethics
SOSC 2052 - PL: Evidence
SOSC 2907 - PL: Case Analysis and Writing
SOSC 3001 - PL: Legal Practices and Procedures
The student then chooses 2 courses from the 16
electives available:
SOSC 2003 - PL: Legal Interviewing and Investigation
SOSC 2010 - PL: Family Law
SOSC 2020 - PL: Real Estate Procedures for
Paralegals
SOSC 2032 - PL: Commercial & Banking Law for
Paralegals
SOSC 2034 - PL: Business Association
SOSC 2044 - PL: Medical Malpractice
SOSC 2050 - PL: Constitutional/Criminal Procedure
SOSC 2091 - PL: Special Topics
SOSC 3012 - PL: Wills, Estates and Trusts
SOSC 3036 - PL: Bankruptcy Practice for Paralegals
SOSC 3040 - PL: Torts
SOSC 3042 - PL: Introduction to Maritime Personal
Injury Law
SOSC 3070 - PL: Computer Litigation Support
SOSC 3077 - PL: Environmental Law
SOSC 3088 - PL: Internship
SOSC 3091 - PL: Special Topics
Minor Requirements
A student may obtain a Minor in Paralegal Studies by
completing 4 required courses and two elective
courses. The student does not receive a Certificate
in Paralegal Studies following this curriculum.
However, you may receive a certificate by completing
the courses described above. The Minor curriculum
requires successful completion of the Paralegal
Aptitude Exam and the following courses:
SOSC 1901 - PL: Introduction to Legal Concepts
SOSC 2005 - PL: Legal Research
SOSC 2011 - PL: Litigation
SOSC 2013 - PL: Legal Ethics
One 2000-Level SOSC Elective
One 3000-Level SOSC Elective
If you have any questions or would like further
information about the Paralegal Studies Program,
please call the Program Office at 539-9500.
M E T R O P O L I T A N C O L L E G E
DIVISION OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
UNO Downtown Center
226 Carondelet Street New Orleans, LA 70130
PH: (504) 539-9510
FX: (504) 539-9511
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