Paralegal Studies Course Descriptions . . .

PLS 190C Introduction to the Paralegal Profession
Introoduces state and federal judicial systems and paralegal roles and careers.Emphasizes rules of professional conduct, legal ethics and unauthorized practice of law by non-lawyers.

PLS 195C Legal Research and Writing
Prerequisite: PLS 190C
The sources and techniques of performing legal research using primary and secondary authorities in a law library and writing a legal argument with correct form and citations.

PLS 291C Criminal Law and Procedure
Prerequisite or co-requisite: 195C
Introduces criminal law and procedure, ofrms and documents, and all stages of criminal litigation preparation by a paralegal using the systems approach. Emphasizes application of Kentucky law.

PLS 292C Corporate Law
Prerequisite: PLS 195C
This course will review the substantive corporate law and tax law as is necessary to understand and draft several corporate documents, to include Articles of Incorporation, Corporate Bylaws, Shareholder's and Director's Minutes, name change of corporation, annual verification reports, and shareholder's agreements. This course will also include instruction regarding mergers, acquisitions, common and preferred stock, voting by proxy, stock dividends, sole proprietorship, partnerships, liquidations and disolutions, and the ethical guidelines to which a paralegal should adhere will be pursued.

PLS 293 Civil Procedure
Prerequisite: PLS 195C
The course is designed to follow the procedures of a civil lawsuit from the first client contact through discovery, settlement negotiations or trial, and appeal. Course work will focus on the role and responsibilities of the paralegal in preparing court documents, investigation, client and witness contact, discovery, and trial assistantship. Federal and state rules governing the conduct of a civil lawsuit will be examined in detail.

PLS 294C Administrative Practice and Procedures
Prerequisite: PLS 195C
Details laws pertaining to Medicaid, Medicare and related topics, and Kentucky unemployment law. Uses hands-on approach, including mock federal and state administrative hearings.

PLS 295C Estate Planning and Administration
Prerequisite or co-requisite: PLS 195C
Paralegal estate planning and probate practice under Kentucky statutes, including initial steps, asset management and distribution, tax issues, will and trusts, and drafting related documents.

PLS 296C Family Law
Prerequisite or co-requisite: PLS 195C
This course will involve preparation of various contested and uncontested divorce pleadings to include petition for dissolution of marriage; findings of fact, conclusions of law and decree of disolution; simple and complex separation agreements; settlement agreements; petitions for temporary custody and change in child support. Preparation of other documents to include petition for adoptions and application for AFDC. In addition, the student will receive instruction regarding skills needed in client interviewing, organization of financial records, answering of interrogatories and request for production of documents and ethical guideline to which a paralegal should adhere.

PLS 298C Advanced Legal Research and Writing
Prerequisite: PLS 195C, PLS 193C
The sources and techniques of performing sophisticated independent research, including application of computer-assisted legal research methods and drafting advanced legal documents.

PLS 299C Internship in Paralegal studies
Prerequisite: PLS 195C, PLS 293C, PLS 198C Completion of all other PLS courses is suggested. Program advisor approval and advanced registration is required.
One hundred fifty hours of practical experience in a legal setting under an attorney's supervision. Meetings emphasize professional legal ethics. Develops job placement and evaluation skills.