Department of Political Science
College of Liberal Arts

Paralegal Studies Curriculum Map

Jackson State University’s paralegal studies program exists to engage students in the readiness process for successful law school admission and retention. Each Jackson State University student with an interest in attending law school, regardless of major, degree, or discipline, is eligible to participate in the paralegal studies program. The University offers the program from the College of Liberal Arts.

Concentration Requirement: 24 credit hours of Paralegal Studies coursework.

Certificate Requirement: 15 credit hours of Paralegal Studies coursework.

The Paralegal Studies Concentration is an online concentration that provides a pathway for aspiring paralegals and will complement the Legal Studies Concentration. The Department of Political Science has already provided an excellent framework that fits Paralegal Studies. Many students can use this as a pathway to work in the legal profession, while others can use the certificate as a pathway to law school. Both the Legal Studies and Paralegal Studies are excellent academic pursuits and cover the para-professional and aspiring professional law school students with viable instruction, relevant to their academic pursuits.

The Paralegal Studies Certificate is an online certificate that seeks to prepare students for successful employment under the supervision of attorneys. The Paralegal Studies Certificate introduces students to terminology, ideas, and skills related to law and the legal profession. The curriculum is designed to enhance student readiness for employment as a paralegal or administrative professional. The courses within the curriculum assist students in developing the necessary skills to perform in government or private businesses efficiently and effectively.

The Paralegal Studies Concentration and Certificate are not affiliated with JSU Online.

Paralegal Studies is not an accredited program by the American Bar Association (ABA). The ABA designates law school programs for accreditation, not Paralegal Studies programs at the undergraduate level. Therefore, we cannot seek ABA accreditation. The Certificate program is very much in line with similar programs. Our Certificate will be recognized industry-wide.

Students who seek just the Certificate will not detract from students who seek a Bachelor degree. The Certificate will be available to JSU students seeking a Bachelor degree, for they may not want to go to law school, not able to get into law school, or they may seek some other profession. Please keep in mind this is a Political Science degree (B.A.). Political Science offers the Basic Concentration and the Legal Studies Concentration which prepares students seeking to attend law school. For those who do not wish to go to law or cannot get admitted into law school but still want a career in the legal field, then Paralegal Studies will be appealing to them. Additionally, the Certificate will be available to students who are not Political Science majors, but would like the requisite knowledge and credentials to embark on a career as a Paralegal. It would not be solely for Political Science majors nor just JSU students. In this way, it is a continuing education program.

The Certificate requirements are less than the Concentration requirements because of the different targeted audiences. The Certificate certifies that any student, JSU or otherwise, gained additional knowledge and training for a particular occupation. The Concentration has more requirements because it is tailored for students to earn their Bachelor degree in Political Science. More credits are required to graduate than what are necessary for a Certificate.

Paralegal Studies Concentration Required Courses (24 hours):

PS 320 Legal Research and writing (3)
PS 347 Judicial Process (3)
PS 432 Introduction to Law I (3)
PS 490 Computer-Assisted Research in the Legal Environment (3)
PS 491 Law Office Management and Technology (3)
PS 492 Trial Preparation (3)
PS 493 eDiscovery for Paralegals (3)
PS 494 Paralegal Internship (3)

Paralegal Studies Certificate Required Courses (15 hours):

PS 490 Computer-Assisted Research in the Legal Environment (3)
PS 491 Law Office Management and Technology (3)
PS 492 Trial Preparation (3)
PS 493 eDiscovery for Paralegals (3)
PS 494 Paralegal Internship (3)

These courses make up the curriculum for the Paralegal Studies Concentration and Certificate and will be delivered online:

Political Science Courses:

• PS 320 Legal Research and Writing
  • Introduction to the basic research and writing techniques in law. Special emphasis placed upon the use of legal reference materials such as reporters, legal encyclopedias, digests and periodicals, and Lexis-Nexis.

• PS 347 Judicial Process
  • An analysis of the structure and functions of judicial systems emphasizing the organization, administration and politics of judicial bureaucracies and roles of judges, juries, counsel, litigants, and interest groups in the adjudication process.

• PS 432 Introduction to Law I
  • Introduction to Law I. This is the first part of a two-semester course which examines the role of law in society. Emphasis is on the nature of law and the variety of legal mechanisms that exist in society.

Paralegal Studies Courses:

• PS 490 Computer-Assisted Research in the Legal Environment
  • Establishes the foundations and practical applications of computer-based research in the legal environment. Computer-assisted legal research will include understanding government legal databases and private legal databases such as Westlaw and Lexis and filing mechanisms for Mississippi and the Federal Government.

• PS ­­­­491 Law Office Management and Technology
  • Examines applications of computer software and hardware in the legal environment. Legal applications of word processing, databases, and spreadsheets. Legal software for document generation, document management, fiscal management, time billing, time and document management, computer-assisted legal research, and information management in the workflow process.

• PS 492 Trial Preparation
  • Presents a comprehensive overview of the criminal and civil trial processes. Preparation for trial of criminal and civil cases, as studied through case law, procedures, techniques, and strategies. This course presents a comprehensive overview of the criminal trial process. Preparation and trial of a criminal case as studied through case law, procedures, techniques, and strategies. Contrast of Mississippi law and Federal procedures.

• PS 493 eDiscovery for Paralegals
  • Introduces the eDiscovery process. This will analyze the entire eDiscovery process, from preparation, requests, collection, and review of Electronically Stored Information (ESI).

• PS 494 Paralegal Internship
  • Encompasses field work experience of 90 hours in a private sector law office, corporation, bank, or public sector agency. Required classroom seminar supplements experiential component and includes discussion of field work experience, ethical considerations, and career options.

Thank you for your interest in the Paralegal Studies Program.