PSP Curriculum and Courses
Legal Research
The basic techniques of legal research are covered in this course, which focuses on the location and use of statutes, judicial opinions, and secondary sources such as encyclopedias, treatises, and digests. Students acquire the basic techniques of legal research through assignments designed to instruct students on the proper method to find and use statutes, cases, and secondary sources. Extensive use of a law library is required.
Civil Procedure
This course covers the fundamentals of bringing and defending against a lawsuit
with heavy emphasis on the critical role played by paralegals. Among the subjects reviewed are the jurisdiction of federal and state courts, informal fact-gathering techniques, pleadings, discovery, motions, and briefs. Students are given a number of hands-on projects to help develop and improve their analytical and organizational skills. The course may culminate in a mock trial in which all students have substantive roles.
Contract Law
This course focuses on the common law of contracts, from the formation of a contract to its termination. Students analyze fact patterns to determine whether a negotiation has resulted in a valid contract and to focus on rights and remedies of parties in the event of breach. The course acquaints students with the law governing the sale of goods under the Uniform Commercial Code and with basic principles of contract drafting.
Legal Ethics
This course is designed to acquaint the student with the professional codes of conduct and law dealing with the ethical obligations of members of the legal profession. The subjects to be covered include: the regulation of attorney and legal assistant conduct, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, the handling of client funds, advertising, free-lancing and the unauthorized practice of law, disciplinary proceedings and malpractice. There is extensive classroom discussion on common ethical problems in the legal office.
A grade of C or higher in this course required to earn the PSP certificate.
Advanced Legal Research & Writing
This course reviews the techniques of legal writing customarily taught in law school; case citation form; cite checking; methods of compiling legislative histories; administrative and international legal research; and writing of letters, law office briefs, court briefs, and other legal documents. Extensive use of a law library is required. (Evening Program only)
Prerequisite: A grade of C or higher in Legal Research
Advanced Litigation & Trial Practice
This course focuses on the skills students have acquired in Introduction to Litigation to conduct a trial. Students enrolled in this course conduct an initial client interview, research potential causes of action, conduct research, interview witnesses, formulate a trial strategy, draft and file pleadings and motions, conduct written and oral discovery, and try their case in court, ending with the rendering of a verdict. Students will prepare a trial notebook.
Prerequisite: A grade of C or higher in Civil Procedure
Legal Technology
Legal Technology is a general introduction to the use of computers and to legal specialty computer software programs in the contemporary law office and courthouse. This course includes hands on computer exercises using professional software programs used in the law office by paralegals. Students will also receive advanced Lexis/Westlaw training. Students will be taught the skills necessary to assist attorneys in diverse aspects of legal practice where computer technology is used. Paralegals today are increasingly being given responsibility for information and computer management. Paralegals must understand the concepts as well as learn the use of software and hardware, in order to support technology as members of the legal team. The goal of this course is to empower the student to learn how to find answers and solve problems with software, including software updates and new versions.
Technology Requirement:
Microsoft Office 2003 Suite including MS Word, MS Access, MS Excel and MS PowerPoint. These are required to access the online tutorials from Microsoft and complete the assignments. Selected software Demo versions are available from vendors or by download. Access is required for the software learning modules.
Plug-Ins and Utilities Selected tools:
-An "unzip" program, for installing downloaded software.
-Sound player capability for audio portions of tutorial when available (optional).
-Webex viewer installed for viewing Webinar presentations available as free downloads from software vendors.
Corporate Law Practice
The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the formation and operation of business enterprises, concentrating on sole proprietorships, general and limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, limited liability companies, and the business corporation. Students will be introduced to each form of business enterprise and prepare relevant documents used by these associations.
Advanced Legal Writing Seminar
This seminar is devoted to the examination of legal writing techniques and the writing of various legal documents, including case briefs and court documents. Case analysis and statutory analysis will be stressed. Legal research techniques will be reviewed as appropriate. Students will be required to incorporate both legal research and writing skills in memoranda assignments. Basic writing concepts such as style, punctuation, and grammar will be covered.
Prerequisites: A grade of C or above in both Legal Research and Advanced Legal Research & Writing
Tort Law
This course deals with civil wrongs and the remedies for those wrongs. Students read and discuss cases on such matters as intentional torts, negligence, defamation, product liability, and damages, and examine the development of the common law. Modern efforts to reform tort law, including "no-fault" legislation and "caps" on monetary awards are addressed.
Legal Specialty Courses
Administrative Law
This course focuses on the role of federal administrative agencies vis-à-vis the courts, Congress and the Chief Executive. Students study the constitutional and legislative limitations placed upon the exercise of agency powers of investigation, adjudication, rule-making, and informal agency action. The course examines judicial review of agency decision-making and familiarizes students with the Administrative Procedure Act, the Freedom of Information Act, and the Privacy Act.
Communications Law & Practice
This course covers the legal and regulatory environments of the industry, from domestic regulations to international law. Specifically, it covers the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and its oversight, the telephone, cable, broadcast, wireless, and satellite industries, as well as the Internet. The course will also include a detailed discussion of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, with a comparison to the Communications Act of 1934 and the resultant seismic changes in this dynamic industry that have occurred over the years following the implementation of the Act.
Criminal Law & Procedure
This course covers the elements of crimes; the legal issues raised during the investigation of criminal conduct, the identification, apprehension, interrogation, and sentencing of criminals. Special attention is given to the assistance a paralegal/legal assistant may provide both to the prosecutor and defense counsel in the preparation of a criminal case.
Employment Law
Current employment law issues will be surveyed in this course. Students will learn how to challenge and defend against employment discrimination based upon race, religion, gender, age and disability under the federal civil rights laws. Particular focus will be on recruitment, testing, affirmative action policies, equal pay, promotion, discharge and issues of harassment as a form of employment discrimination. Students will examine wages, benefits, and retirement issues, as well as employee privacy rights and the protections accorded unionized and non-unionized workers.
Environmental Law
The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of environmental law and research. Students study the major federal environmental statutes which govern water pollution, air pollution, hazardous waste disposal and cleanup, pesticides, toxic chemicals, food and drug additives, and the administration of public lands and resources. The course acquaints students with the National Environmental Policy Act and its requirements and procedures for environmental impact statements. Among the subjects covered are state and international environmental laws; resources and strategies for researching environmental law; and the organization of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Estates & Trusts
This course is devoted to a study of the pertinent authorities necessary to draft and interpret wills and trusts, together with instruction on the basic skills and techniques necessary to prepare such instruments, and other documents related to estate administration. Students draft a will and a trust, prepare a petition for probate and related documents, and prepare tax returns.
Intellectual Property Law
This course is designed to acquaint students with the fundamentals of patent, trademark, and copyright law. The course reviews the administrative process by which patents, trademarks and copyrights are granted and explores the special role of the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in resolving disputes involving patent and trademark matters. International trade issues relating to intellectual property rights will be discussed. Course work includes document drafting and negotiations.
Introduction to International Law
The goal of the course is for students to understand the nature of basic sources of public international law, including treaties and customary law; to be introduced to the structures and organizations of international law; and to be introduced to the basic principles of international security law, international human rights law and international trade law.
Introduction to Trademark Law
The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of Trademark Law basics which will include distinctions between copyrights and patents; types of marks; the selection and searching of marks; the federal registration of marks; transfer of rights and due diligence issues connected to marks; as well as the impact of the internet on trademark rights and trademark policing.
Medical Law
The purpose of this course is to analyze the principal legal issues raised in the provision of medical care and the consequences of medical malpractice. Among the issues discussed are the “right” to medical treatment, medical insurance, patient “dumping,” the standard of care applicable to physicians and medical support personnel, the “right” to die and criteria of death; abortion, and organ transplantation. The course pays special attention to malpractice litigation and the investigative role of a paralegal.
Real Estate Law
This course acquaints students with the fundamentals of real property, as well as the forms and degrees of ownership of real estate. Students are introduced to basic terms and elements of real estate law, landlord-tenant law, and the acquisition and sale of real property.
