| Academic Programs |
(62 credits)
Joint articulation agreement with Hamline University
Joint articulation agreement with Metropolitan State University
You may also visit the Paralegal web site at http://depts.inverhills.edu/paralegal for more 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 substantial legal work for which lawyers are responsible.
Purpose: The objectives of the Inver Hills Community College Paralegal program are to develop graduates, who are prepared to assume these general responsibilities of paralegals, and to provide continuing educational experiences for persons who are presently employed in the legal field.
Competencies: The Paralegal program prepares graduates for work under the supervision of attorneys in a variety of legal specialty areas, such as corporate law, criminal law, domestic relations (family law), estate administration, litigation, and real estate. Graduates are trained: (1) to apply the law and legal procedures in rendering direct assistance to lawyers; (2) to do competent legal research; (3) to prepare and interpret legal documents; (4) to analyze procedural and substantive legal problems; (5) to interview clients and witnesses; and (6) to investigate and manage cases.
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. All of the paralegal required courses are available during the evening, and most are available during the day at Inver Hills.
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 Director of the Paralegal Program 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 seven major metropolitan counties.
(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 1110 Legal Research, 3cr
PA 1112 Legal Writing and Analysis, 3cr
PA 1189 Paralegal Internship1, 4cr
PA 2201 Domestic Relations, 3cr
PA 2202 Litigation and Trial Practice, 3cr
PA 2204 Probate, 3cr
PA 2205 Real Estate Law for the Paralegal, 3cr
ENG 1108 Writing and Research Skills, 4cr
ENG 1111 Research Writing in the Disciplines or
ENG 1114 Research Paper, 2-3cr
COMM 1100, 1110, or 2230, 3cr
Math or Lab Science, 3-4cr
(See Goal 3 or 4 of MnTC)
Social Sciences, 3-4cr
(See Goal 5 of MnTC)
Humanities/Fine Arts/Literature2, 3-4cr
(See Goal 6 of MnTC)
Goals 7-10 Any course (see MnTC), 3cr
Liberal Arts electives1, 5-9cr
Students with paralegal experience may petition to substitute 4 credits from the paralegal elective classes below for the 4-credit paralegal internship. See the program director for details.
PA 2206 Interviewing and Investigating Techniques for the Paralegal, 2cr
PA 2208 Employment Law, 2cr
PA 2212 Selected Personal Injury Issues, 2cr
PA 2215 Introduction to the Law Office, 2cr
PA 2218 Computerized Legal Research and the Internet, 2cr
For more information on the Paralegal program call Sally Dahlquist at 651/450-8567 or email sdahlqu@inverhills.edu.