Legal Assistant

The two-year legal assistant degree provides students with background information pertaining to the law with emphasis on the role of the legal assistant. The legal background provided includes the American system of law, constitutional law, statutory law, criminal law and tort law. Court systems and court procedures are also covered in this degree program.

Particular attention is paid to preparation of litigation, discovery proceedings, pretrial and trial proceedings as well as practical techniques required to cope with protracted or complex litigation. Legal theories involved in complex litigation are also covered. The principal emphasis is on procedural techniques rather than on substantive areas of law. Additionally, students will learn how to use various legal research tools.

Who can benefit from our program:

Paralegal courses benefit those seeking a general knowledge of basic legal principles, or who are interested in seeking a career in law or a law-related field. Particular courses may be of interest to those with a specific need for basic legal information in a particular field. For example, law enforcement officers would find the course in Criminal Law and Procedures to be a useful resource for their field, and those in the medical field and business would benefit from Torts and Personal Injury Law. Others would benefit from Elder Law, the course that provides the resources to prepare the affairs of the aging.

What the program entails:

The required courses for the degree cover the major fields of law study – criminal law and procedure, civil litigation, family law, real estate, torts, contracts and wills and estates – and provide practical knowledge to support the practice of law (legal research and writing, document preparation, introduction to law and the legal profession.)

Job prospects:

The Associate in Applied Science degree is designed primarily to prepare persons to work in either large or small law firms as professional attorney assistants. The degree also provides a good educational background to those seeking careers in real estate, banking, insurance, investigation, and social work, as well as other fields.

Of additional interest:

CTC paralegal courses are accepted for the paralegal degree offered by the Community College of the Air Force. Paralegal courses may be offered on a flexible schedule, for instance the course may be taught over three weekends, to make attendance more convenient for those who have difficulty arranging night-time child care, commute long distances to attend class, are subject to deployments or travel on business.

Other Resources

Legal Assistant Course Descriptions

Click on Download Syllabus to see the complete syllabus. Click on Schedule Locations to see what Central Texas College Europe locations are offering this course for this term and the next few terms.

LGLA 1303 Legal Research 3-0-3 Download Syllabus - Schedule Locations

This course provides a working knowledge of the fundamentals of effective legal research. Topics include law library techniques, computer assisted legal research, briefs, and legal memoranda.

LGLA 1304 Military and National Security Legal Issues 3-0-3 Download Syllabus - Schedule Locations

This course presents an overview of current issues in the areas of national security and homeland defense, as well as applicable topics in military law. Emphasizes emerging issues of national security laws including the USA Patriot Act, terrorism and national security crimes, national security detentions and trials, military tribunals, and clandestine operations.

LGLA 1307 Intro. to Law and the Legal Profession 3-0-3 Download Syllabus - Schedule Locations

This course provides an overview of the law and the legal professions. Topics include legal concepts, systems, and terminology; ethical obligations and regulations; professional trends and issues with particular emphasis on the paralegal.

LGLA 1317 Law Office Technology 2-2-3 Download Syllabus - Schedule Locations

This course introduces computer technology and its applications within the law office. Topics include the use of computer technology in the delivery of legal services with particular emphasis on the paralegal’s role. Lab included. Recommended co-requisite: ITSW 1401.

LGLA 1343 Bankruptcy 3-0-3 Download Syllabus - Schedule Locations

This course presents fundamental concepts of bankruptcy law and procedure with emphasis on the paralegal’s role. Topics include individual and business liquidation and reorganization.

LGLA 1345 Civil Litigation 3-0-3 Download Syllabus - Schedule Locations

This course presents fundamental concepts and procedures of civil litigation with emphasis on the paralegal’s role. Topics include pretrial, trial, and post trial phases of litigation. Prerequisites: LGLA 1307 (LGLA 1317 is also recommended for students taking this course through online delivery).

LGLA 1349 Constitutional Law 3-0-3 Download Syllabus - Schedule Locations

This course provides an overview of the United States Constitution and its articles, amendments, and judicial interpretations. Topics include separation of powers, checks and balances, governmental structures and process, and individual rights in relation to government.

LGLA 1351 Contracts 3-0-3 Download Syllabus - Schedule Locations

This course presents fundamental concepts of contract law with emphasis on the paralegal’s role. Topics include formation, performance, and enforcement of contracts under the common law and the Uniform Commercial Code. Prerequisite: LGLA 1307 (LGLA 1317 is also recommended for students taking this course through online delivery).

LGLA 1353 Wills, Trust and Probate Admin. 3-0-3 Download Syllabus - Schedule Locations

This course presents fundamental concepts of the law of wills, trusts, and probate administration with emphasis on the paralegal’s role. Recommended co-requisite: LGLA 1345.

LGLA 1355 Family Law 3-0-3 Download Syllabus - Schedule Locations

This course presents fundamental concepts of family law with emphasis on the paralegal’s role. Topics include formal and informal marriages, divorce, annulment, marital property, and the parent-child relationship.

LGLA 1357 Juvenile Law 3-0-3 Download Syllabus - Schedule Locations

This course presents fundamental concepts of juvenile law with emphasis on the paralegal’s role. Topics include differences between the criminal and juvenile justice systems, detention, adjudication and certification procedures, and related issues within the public education system. Prerequisites: LGLA 1307 and LGLA 1355.

LGLA 1391 Special Topics in Paralegal/Legal Assistance 3-0-3 Download Syllabus - Schedule Locations

Topics address recently identified current events, skills, knowledge, and/or attitudes and behaviors pertinent to the technology or occupation and relevant to the professional development of the student.

LGLA 2303 Torts and Personal Injury Law 3-0-3 Download Syllabus - Schedule Locations

This course presents fundamental concepts of tort law with emphasis on the paralegal’s role. Topics include intentional torts, negligence, and strict liability.

LGLA 2307 Law Office Management 3-0-3 Download Syllabus - Schedule Locations

This course presents the fundamentals of law office management and organization including basic principles and structure of management, administrative and substantive systems in the law office, and law practice technology. Recommended prerequisite: LGLA 1307.

LGLA 2309 Real Property 3-0-3 Download Syllabus - Schedule Locations

This course presents fundamental concepts of real property law with emphasis on the paralegal’s role. Topics include the nature of real property, rights and duties of ownership, land use, voluntary and involuntary conveyances, and the recording of and searching for real estate documents.

LGLA 2311 Business Organizations 3-0-3 Download Syllabus - Schedule Locations

This course presents basic concepts of business organizations with emphasis on the paralegal’s role. Topics include law of agency, sole proprietorships, forms of partnerships, corporations, and other emerging business entities. Recommended prerequisite LGLA 1351.

LGLA 2313 Criminal Law and Procedure 3-0-3 Download Syllabus - Schedule Locations

This course introduces the criminal justice system including procedures from arrest to final disposition, principles of federal and state law, and the preparation of pleadings and motions. Prerequisite: LGLA 1307.

LGLA 2321 Military Law 3-0-3 Download Syllabus - Schedule Locations

This course presents an in-depth look at the operation and management of military law. Topics include detailed coverage of criminal law, claims, military administrative law, legal assistance, and civil law as it applies to the military.

LGLA 2331 Adv. Legal Research & Writing 3-2-3 Download Syllabus - Schedule Locations

This course builds upon the skills acquired in prior legal research and writing courses including computerized research techniques and preparation of complex legal documents such as briefs, legal office memoranda, and citation forms. Prerequisite: LGLA 1303.

LGLA 2433 Adv. Legal Document Preparation 3-3-4 Download Syllabus - Schedule Locations

Preparation of legal documents based on hypothetical fact situations drawn from various areas including real estate, family law, contracts, litigation, and business organizations (lab included).

LGLA 2480 Cooperative Education - Paralegal/Legal Assistant 0-22-4 Download Syllabus - Schedule Locations

An advanced course with lecture and work-based instruction that helps students gain practical experience in the discipline, enhance skills, and integrate knowledge. Indirect supervision is provided by the work supervisor while the lecture is provided by the college faculty or by other individuals under the supervision of the educational institution. This is a paid experience. This is a capstone course for advanced students and requires departmental consent.

LGLA 2488 Internship - Paralegal/Legal Assistant 0-19-4 Download Syllabus - Schedule Locations

A basic, intermediate, or advanced type of non-health professions work-based instruction that helps students synthesize new knowledge, apply previous knowledge, or gain experience managing the workflow. Practical experience is simultaneously related to theory. Direct supervision is provided by the faculty or the work supervisor. An internship may be a paid or unpaid learning experience. This is an unpaid experience. This is a capstone course for advanced students and requires department consent.

For more detailed information, you can view our course catalog in the Library Section of the CTC Web Pages.

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