LEG 100 Introduction to Law - 4 Hrs.
This course provides a basic understanding of the American legal system from a variety of perspectives, both civil and criminal.  The course focus includes the essential history and the working structure of government, procedural issues in the courts, specific concepts of basic categories of law (including contract, property, civil, business, estates and probate, criminal, and family), the distinctive characteristics of criminal law and procedure, and finally, the roles of various legal professionals and the effect of legal ethics on the practice of law.  It is intended that the course lay a solid foundation for those intending to pursue advanced legal courses and to provide a functional appreciation for students of other disciplines with regard to the impact of the legal system on those disciplines.

LEG 102 Criminal Law - 4 Hrs.
Prerequisite:  Successful completion of LEG 100 Introduction to Law or permission of Department Director
Students will gain a working knowledge of the Illinois and Federal court systems, the sources of law, the stages of criminal litigation (including pre- and post-trial procedures), the rules of criminal procedure, criminal offenses, and constitutional issues affecting the criminal justice process.

LEG 104 Wills, Trusts, Estates - 4 Hrs.
Prerequisite:  Successful completion of LEG 100 Introduction to Law or permission of Department Director
A study of both theoretical and procedural information involving wills, trusts, and estate administration.  This course emphasizes the role of the paralegal in assisting clients plan their wills and trusts, drafting and executing these documents, and carrying out probate procedures.  This course is designed to provide students with both theoretical and practical knowledge.

LEG 107 Family Law - 4 Hrs.
Prerequisite:  Successful completion of LEG 100 Introduction to Law or permission of the Department Director
This course is an overview of the law (with an emphasis on Illinois law) relating to marriage, divorce, annulment, child custody and support, adoption, paternity, and other legal matters involving domestic relations. The student will be required to perform research and to draft necessary pleadings relative to the practice of family law.

LEG 115 Torts and Worker’s Compensation - 4 Hrs.
Prerequisite:  Successful completion of LEG 100 Introduction to Law or permission of Department Director
A general course in basic elements of torts and worker’s compensation law for paralegals which shall encompass work-related injuries, personal injuries, and property damage resulting from negligence, strict liability, and willful and wanton conduct.

LEG 116 Legal Research I - 4 Hrs.
Prerequisite:  LEG 100 Introduction to Law and LEG 117 Civil Procedure or permission of the Department Director
This course introduces the student to a variety of legal research tools and techniques.  An emphasis is placed on legal analysis, proper citation form, and cite checking.  The course includes a review of grammar basics, the Association of Legal Writing Directors (ALWD) Citation Manual (A Professional System of Citation), and a series of written assignments ranging from simple case briefs to business letters.  The students will be drafting legal documents during class and as outside homework assignments.

LEG 117 Civil Procedure - 4 Hrs.
Prerequisite:   Successful completion of LEG 100 Introduction to Law or permission of Department Director
This course will examine the paralegal’s role in handling civil cases and the means by which the objectives of litigation may be achieved.  Strategy and mechanics of civil procedure will be explored in depth with an emphasis placed on Illinois law.  The student will be required to prepare several writing projects including a complaint, answer, discovery requests, motion, and initial appellate documents.

LEG 123 Legal Word Processing and Terminology - 4 Hrs.
Prerequisite:  Successful completion of KEY 109 Keyboarding Applications or demonstrated skill, CIS 115 Word Processing Applications or demonstrated skill, LEG 100 Introduction to Law, or permission of Department Director.
Various legal documents, forms, and correspondence are prepared by the student with an emphasis on legal terminology.

LEG 203 Discovery and Investigation - 4 Hrs.
Prerequisite:  Successful completion of LEG 100 Introduction to Law and LEG 117 Civil Procedure or permission of Department Director
Students will gain a working knowledge of the Illinois and Federal court systems, the sources of law, the stages of civil litigation (including pre- and post-trial procedures), alternative dispute resolution, the rules of civil procedure, subject matter jurisdiction, personal jurisdiction, venue, statute of limitations, parties, and pleadings.  Students will learn investigation skills in gathering information and evidence in a civil lawsuit.  Students will gain a thorough understanding of the discovery process and will be able to prepare discovery devises and respond to discovery requests.  Students will be required to draft complaints, answers, and motions.  Students will be encouraged to develop a trial notebook and a settlement brochure.

LEG 207 Real Estate Law - 4 Hrs.
Prerequisite:  Successful completion of LEG 100 Introduction to Law and LEG 104 Wills, Trusts and Estate Administration or permission of the Department Director
This course provides the student with an overview of the basic concepts of the law (emphasis on Illinois law) of real property with a focus on the role of the paralegal in performing connected duties in a law office, financial institution, or title company. The course includes an overview of landlord-tenant law, property interests, title searches, deeds, mortgaging, closing procedures, and zoning regulations.

LEG 209 Legal Research II - 4 Hrs.
Prerequisite:  Successful completion of LEG 116 Legal Research I or permission of Department Director
This course provides a continuation of LEG 116 Legal Research I providing a more in depth, hands-on experience in the process of legal writing, research, and analysis.  The student will continue to develop their analytical skills and their ability to conduct effective legal research.  The student will be required to develop several writing projects, including a memoranda of law and an appellate brief.

LEG 210 Paralegal Internship - 4 Hrs.
Prerequisite:  Successful completion of 32-quarter hours of legal courses (including LEG 116 – Legal Research I and LEG 213 – Law Office Management) and permission of Department Director.
The Paralegal Services Program internship is designed to provide the Paralegal Services’ students with the opportunity to apply their formal education to actual work situations while providing the students with on-the-job experience in the paralegal arena.  The student intern will work under the direct supervision of a practicing attorney or under the direct supervision of a practicing legal assistant/paralegal while under the overall supervision of a practicing attorney at the internship site provider location.  The site provider may be a law firm, prosecutor’s office, government agency, public defender’s office, or legal department of a business.  During the 12-week term, the student intern shall complete a minimum of 96 hours of work experience.  The 96-hour work schedule needs to be arranged between the internship site supervisor and the student intern.  All internship sites must be approved by Paralegal Services Program Director prior to the commencement of the internship experience.

LEG 213 Law Office Management - 4 Hrs.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of LEG 100 Introduction to Law and LEG 117 Civil Procedure or permission of the Department Director
This course provides an introduction to the organization, technology, and management of a law office.  An emphasis will be placed on the organization and management of a law office in personnel administration including fees, timekeeping, and billing procedures.  Document preparation and litigation support including docket control and records management are also emphasized.