Paralegal
Associate in Science in Paralegal
To prepare you to work as a paralegal (also known as a legal assistant) in a law office. You will learn to assist and perform, under the supervision of an attorney, the legal functions traditionally undertaken by either an attorney or an expert legal secretary. Training will emphasize legal theory, principles, procedures, practical applications, and production of legal documents.
Specifically, you will learn paraprofessional aspects of maintaining any law practice. These aspects may include:
- Interviewing and assisting clients
- Implementing legal procedures
- Performing investigative functions
- Conducting legal research
- Preparing instruments and documents
- Assisting in judicial and administrative appearances
- Completing client projects
- Coordinating office functions
Curriculum
The AS in Paralegal requires satisfactory completion of 60 credits.
The requirements listed in the catalog at the time of entry into the program are the ones you must fulfill for graduation. You also have the option to meet the requirements listed in subsequent catalogs. However, if you choose this option, you cannot combine requirements from two or more catalogs. For example, if you entered the program in fall 2006, you can fulfill the requirements in either the fall 2006 catalog or the fall 2007 catalog. However, you cannot combine requirements from both.
If you leave the program for a semester or more, you must fulfill the requirements in effect at the time of or subsequent to your re-entry. For example, if you entered the program in fall 2006, took a hiatus in spring 2007, and returned in fall 2007, you must fulfill the requirements in the catalog for fall 2007 or later.
Courses
Law Courses
LAW 101 The Hawai‘i Legal System
LAW 102 Legal Research
LAW 103 Introduction to the Legal Office
LAW 104 Civil Investigation
LAW 111 Litigation
LAW 121 Law of Business Organizations
LAW 126 Taxation
LAW 131 Real Property Law
LAW 136 Tort and Insurance Law
LAW 140 Family Law
LAW 145 Computer Applications in the Law Office
LAW 146 Litigation Document Preparation and Theory
LAW 151 Estate Planning and Probate
LAW 156 Specialized Document Preparation and Theory
LAW 161 Public Sector Law
LAW 166 Employment Related Law
LAW 171 Consumer Law
LAW 176 Criminal Law
LAW 181 Rights of the Disadvantaged
LAW 186 Legal Theory and Practice
LAW 193P Cooperative Paralegal Education
LAW 193S Cooperative Legal Secretary Education
LAW 201 Law Office Management
LAW 202 Legal interviewing, Negotiating and Advocacy
LAW 203 Legal Writing
LAW 250B Advanced Civil Investigation
LAW 250C Advanced Litigation
LAW 250D Advanced Law of Business Organizations
LAW 250E Advanced Taxation
LAW 250F Advanced Real Property Law
LAW 250G Advanced Tort and Insurance Law
LAW 250H Advanced Family Law
LAW 250I Advanced Estate Planning and Probate
LAW 250J Advanced Public Sector Law
LAW 250K Advanced Employment Related Law
LAW 250M Advanced Consumer Law
LAW 250N Advanced Criminal Law
LAW 282 Computer-assisted Legal Research
LAW 286 Advanced Legal Theory and Practices
LAW 293V Cooperative Legal Education
Sample Schedule
The following is a sample schedule listing a sequence of courses spread out over four semesters.
Associates in Science, 60 Credits
| Semester 1 | (15 Credits) |
| LAW 101 The Hawai`i Legal System | |
| LAW 146 Litigation Document Preparation and Theory | |
| Select one • LAW 111 Litigation or • other substantive law course |
|
| Select one • ENG 100 Composition I or • ENG 160 Business and Technical Writing |
|
| Elective – Any 100 level or higher course from legal or other department | |
| Semester 2 | (15 Credits) |
| LAW 102 Legal Research | |
| LAW 202 Legal Interviewing, Negotiating and Advocacy | |
| Select one • LAW 140 Family Law or • other substantive law course |
|
| Select one • PHIL 110 Introduction to Deductive Logic or • BUS 100 Math to Solve Business Problems or • MATH 100 Survey of Mathematics |
|
| Elective – Any 100 level or higher course from legal or other department | |
| Semester 3 | (15 Credits) |
| LAW 203 Legal Writing | |
| Select one • LAW 104 Civil Investigation or • other substantive law course |
|
| KCC AS/SS AS Social Science Elective | |
| KCC AS/AH AS Arts and Humanities Elective | |
| Elective – Any 100 level or higher course from legal or other department | |
| Semester 4 | (15 Credits) |
| Select one • LAW 136 Tort and Insurance Law or • other substantive law course |
|
| LAW 193P Cooperative Paralegal Education | |
| KCC AS/NS AS Natural Science Elective | |
| Select one • SP 151 Personal and Public Speech or • ENG 200 Composition II or • ENG 209 Business and Managerial Writing or • ENG 215 Research and Argumentative Writing or • SP 251 Principles of Effective Public Speaking or • SP 181 Interpersonal Communication |
|
| Elective – Any 100 level or higher course from legal or other department | |
