| Academic Programs |
(60 credits)
Joint articulation agreement with Hamline University
Joint articulation agreement with Metropolitan State University
Visit the Paralegal web site at: http://depts.inverhills.edu/paralegal, click on AS required curriculum for detailed information.
Program Information: Lawyers often can deliver legal services more efficiently and economically with the aid of paralegals, also called legal assistants. Although not independently licensed to practice law, paralegals are professionals trained to assist lawyers in specifically delegated substantive legal work for which lawyers are responsible.
Purpose: Inver Hills Community College Paralegal Program develops graduates who are prepared to assume the general and ethical responsibilities of paralegals. It offers quality, practical coursework (traditionally or online) including a paralegal internship that is approved by the American Bar Association, and provides excellent continuing legal educational opportunities for students and paralegals.
Competencies and Objectives: The Paralegal Program prepares graduates for work under the supervision of attorneys in civil, criminal, and family law as well as litigation, probate and estates, real estate and business organizations areas. Graduates are trained to: (1) apply the law and legal procedures in rendering direct assistance to lawyers; (2) conduct competent legal research, writing, and communication; (3) prepare legal documents and interpret laws; (4) analyze procedural and substantive legal problems; (5) interview clients and witnesses; and (6) investigate and manage cases. Paralegals and graduates do not practice law or give legal advice unless permitted by law.
Program Highlights: The Paralegal Program has received American Bar Association approval since 1975. It leads to an Associate in Science degree, which is a two-year curriculum. Students may attend the program on a full-time or part-time basis. Paralegal required courses are available during the day, evening, and partly or fully online.
Note: College graduates and transfer students with equivalent credits may complete the requirements for an associate degree in less than two academic years. The Paralegal Program has specific credit transfer requirements for paralegal courses. Students must prepare a petition for transfer of credits that shall be reviewed and approved by the Paralegal Program Director unless the Paralegal Department has documented prior approval of the paralegal course transfer.
Paralegal Internship: A valuable feature of the program is an internship, which provides the student with first-hand experience in a supervised legal environment. Paralegal internships have been established in the major metropolitan counties and around the state.
(Paralegal course descriptions)
PA 1102 Introduction to the Law and Contracts, 4cr
PA 1103 UCC and Business Organizations, 4cr
PA 1105 Criminal Justice System, 2cr
PA 2201 Family Law, 3cr
PA 2202 Litigation and Trial Practice, 3cr
PA 2204 Probate, 3cr
PA 2205 Real Estate Law, 3cr
PA 2220 Legal Research, 3cr
PA 2222 Legal Writing and Analysis, 3cr
PA 2289 Paralegal Internship*, 2cr
* Students must obtain the Program Director’s written approval one semester in advance of registration for internship.
ENG 1108 Writing and Research Skills, 4cr
ENG 1111 Research Writing in the Disciplines or
ENG 1114 Research Paper, 2-3cr
COMM 1100, 1110, 2230 or 2240, 3cr
Math or Science with Lab, 3cr
(See Goal 3 or 4 of MnTC)
History/Social Science/Behavioral Science, 3cr
(See Goal 5 of MnTC)
Humanities/Fine Arts/Literature, 3cr
(See Goal 6 of MnTC)
Goals 7-10 Any course (see MnTC), 3cr
Liberal Arts electives1, 8-9cr
1. Includes MnTC courses, world language courses, CJS 1150, 1152, 1154, 1156, 1158, INTS 1000, 1101, MUSC 1105, STSK 1101, and THTR 1161.
Students who plan to transfer to a four-year bachelor’s program must meet the specific requirements of that college or university.
The following paralegal electives are fantastic classes to take as they enhance students' skills and increase knowledge in these areas of law but the electives do not count toward the required paralegal coursework to graduate. Students with paralegal experience may petition to substitute one 2-credit paralegal class from the paralegal elective classes below (except Law Office Procedures and Technology) for the 2-credit paralegal internship and must complete a Paralegal Program portfolio. See the Paralegal Program Director for details.
PA 1115 Law Office Procedures and Technology, 2cr
PA 2206 Interviewing and Investigating Techniques for the Paralegal, 2cr
PA 2208 Employment Law, 2cr
PA 2212 Personal Injury and E-Discovery, 2cr
PA 2218 Computerized Legal Research and the Internet, 2cr
For more information on the Paralegal Program call Sally Dahlquist at 651/450-3567 or email sdahlqu@inverhills.edu.