Faulkner University

      The Faulkner University Legal Studies Department seeks to provide a program that supports its students during their academic and professional careers. A small student population guarantees access to faculty who are eager to assist and guide students through the Legal Studies curriculum. Upon graduation, students will be well equipped to begin or continue an exciting career as a paralegal. Students who are already possess a job in the legal field will be able to perform more effectively and efficiently in their positions.

      The Legal Studies Faculty maintains contact with the Alabama Legal Community. Through this contact, the Legal Studies Faculty ensures students receive instruction specific to the paralegal skills required within the state. This information is used to continously review and revise the Legal Studies curriculum in respose to the demands of the employing legal community. This contact also cultivates job opportunities and awareness of paralegal positions available in the Montgomery area and throughout the state.

      The Legal Studies Department also maintains a networking program. This system keeps us in touch with current students and graduates. This allows to continue to assist our graduates through career services and Continuing Legal Education programs.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I choose a Legal Studies Program?

      Your choice of a paralegal program will have an impact on your opportunities for success in a paralegal career. Because there is no national regulation of paralegals, anyone interested in the field should focus on the education they will receive at the program of his or her choice. One way to ensure you receive a quality education is to choose a program approved by the American Bar Association(ABA).

      The ABA began approving paralegal programs in 1975. The approval program is voluntary. Programs seeking approval must prepare a detailed self-evaluation report as well as undergo a thorough review by an ABA panel.  The three-person panel evaluates the program's administration, resources, curriculum and academic policies, faculty and program direction, admissions standards and practices, students services including placement and counseling, library, and facilities.

      The Faulkner University Legal Studies Program offers an ABA-approved curriculum exclusively at its Montgomery campus. Faulkner University maintains a strong reputation for academic excellence. Faulkner offers an array of student services that begins when you enroll and continues through graduation and your career. The Legal Studies Department will assist you not only in preparing for a job, but in finding one as well. In addition, Legal Studies students have access to the Jones School of Law Library. This access provides a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in legal research.

      Faulkner University strives to maintain the highest quality Legal Studies education program. A degree from its ABA approved Legal Studies program can be your first step to a rewarding and successful career as a paralegal.

In what areas of law do paralegals work?

      Paralegals work in many areas of law including: litigation, real estate, corporate, probate and estate planning, intellectual property, family law, labor law, and bankruptcy.  Many paralegals also work in other non-legal positions with governmental agenices and private sector businesses.

What are typical paralegal responsiblities?

      Paralegals perform tasks such as: investigating facts, drafting legal documents, legal research, interviewing clients and witnesses, maintaining contact with clients, and maintenance of legal files.

Will I be able to find a job with a Legal Studies degree?

      According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the paralegal career is experiencing faster than average growth. Nationally, paralegal positions are expected to increase around 21-35% between the years 2000 and 2010.

What is the income of paralegals?

      The Bureau of Labor Statistics states the mean salary of paralegals in Alabama as $35,960. The national mean is reported as $40,590. However, income varies depending on the location of the employer, the area's economy, type of work done, and the paralegal's educational and professional background.

What can I not do as a paralegal?

      A paralegal/legal assistant cannot give legal advice, represent a client in court, establish a fee, or accept a case on behalf of an attorney.

Do I need certification to work as a paralegal?

      Although you do not need a certification to work as a paralegal, there are nationally recognized certifying exams for paralegals. These certifications provide graduates with an extra edge in the job market. To prepare its graduates for the exam, Faulkner University includes a preparatory course for the CLA exam offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants in its Legal Studies curriculum. Also, the CLA exam is typically offered on Faulkner's campus.

What is the difference between a paralegal and a legal assistant?

      Paralegals and legal assistants are essentially the same career. In recent years, paralegal organizations have began altering their names to use the word "paralegal" as opposed to "legal assistant." However, both names are recognized by the ABA as providing the same types of services to legal community.

Legal Studies Faculty:

      The Legal Studies Program is a part of the Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Department which is under the direction of Dr. Lou Harris, retired FBI agent with 25 years of experience in the Criminal Justice system.

      THe Legal Studies Program Director is Dr. Marci Johns. Dr. Johns possesses pratical legal experience as an attorney and a paralegal. Dr. Johns's work has been published in paralegal textbooks, monthly newsletters, and on-line publications.  She has also served as an educational speaker at national, state, and local conferences and meetings.

Course Offerings:

      Legal Studies courses are offered at times that cater to the needs of students of all ages.  The Bachelor of Science course offerings will generally be held during the traditional daytime hours. The Associate of Science schedule of courses typically accommodates the students who work full or part-time, may have family responibilities, and want to attend school on a full or part-time basis.

Admissions Requirements:

      Individuals interested in the Legal Studies Program should contact the admissions office. An admissions counselor will assist in determining acceptance to the program. Transfer credits in core courses taken at other universities may be accepted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for this degree.  Information & applications may be obtained by contacting the Legal Studies director at 1-800-879-9816 ext. 7304

The Legal Studies department offers a two-year associate of science degree and a four-year bachelor of science degree. The course work combines fundamental studies with specific legal courses to prepare students for a career as a public or private sector legal assistant.

*The Legal Studies Program offered by the main campus in Montgomery, Alabama is approved by the American Bar Association. Students graduating with a Legal Studies degree from the Montgomery campus will receive an ABA-approved paralegal certificate along with their Legal Studies degree. Students who take legal specialty classes at a Faulkner University campus other than the Montgomery campus, and attempt to transfer legal specialty credit to the Montgomery campus will be considered to have transferred from a non-ABA approved school and will be subject to the transfer policy stated below.

The American Bar Association defines a legal assistant or paralegal as "a person qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible."

The objectives of the program are as follows:

University Core Requirements................................................………. 36

Bible Requirements

Life of Christ (BI 1311)................................................... 3

Book of Acts (BI 1314).…...........................................… 3

Paralegal Ethics (LS 2304)………………………......... 3

Survey of Biblical Law (CJ 2332)................................... 3

History (HY 1301 or higher).............................................…….. 3

English Composition (EH 1301 and EH 1302).…..............…… 6

Biology (BIO 1300 or higher)………................................……. 3

Speech (EH 1303).............................................................…….. 3

Computer Applications (CA 1302)....................................……. 3

Mathematics (MH 1338 or higher)....................................…….. 3

Lifetime Fitness (PE 1300)................................................…….. 3

Paralegal Portfolio (LS 2190) 1

Intro to Paralegalism (LS 1300)….....................................……. 3

Evidence for Paralegals (LS 2341).............………….......……. 3

Intro to Legal Research (LS 1310).....................................…… 3

Civil Procedure (LS 2340)................................................…….. 3

Computer Legal Research (LS 2335).................................……. 3

Family Law (LS 2310)......................................................…….. 3

Real Property Law (LS 2320)............................................……. 3

Probate/Wills/Estates/Trust (LS 2330)...............................……. 3

Criminal Law & Procedure (LS 2346)………………………… 3

Directed Study (LS 2350)………………………..….…......…. 3

Internship (LS 2360)…………………………………………... 3

Tort Law (LS 2370)…………………………………………... 3

Business Organizations (LS 2380)......................................……. 3

Total...........................................................................................………. 70

University Core Curriculum......................................................…….. 55/58

Bible Requirements

Life of Christ (BI 1211/1311)…………………………. 2/3

Book of Acts (BI 1214/1314)…….…………………… 2/3

The Pentateuch (BI 2202302)…….………………….. 2/3

Survey of Biblical Law (CJ 2332).……………………. 3

English Comp. (EH 1301 and EH 1302)..................................... 6

Western Heritage I, II, III……………………………………… 9

History (HY 1301, 2301, 2302)..………........................……… 3

English/American Lit. (EH 2301, 2303, 2304)……................. 3

Physical and Natural Science (one lab required)......................... 7

Speech (EH 1303).................................….................................... 3

Computer Applications (CA 1302).......….….............................. 3

Social Science............................................................................... 3

Mathematics (MH 1338 or higher)…….....……………........... 3

Lifetime Fitness (PE 1300)......................…..................……….. 3

PE Activities (1125 and one elective)…………………………. 2

Freshman Experience (FE 1111)...……………………………. 1

Upper Division Bible Requirements.........................………………... 10/12

Marriage and Family (BI 3311).......................………………... 3

CJ Ethics (CJ 4304)..........................................……………….. 3

Bible Electives..................................................……………….. 4/6

Introduction to Paralegalism (LS 1300)….......……………….. 3

Introduction to Legal Research (LS 1310).....………………... 3

Paralegal Ethics (LS 2304)...............................……………….. 3

Computer Legal Research (LS 2335)…………………………. 3

Portfolio (LS 4190)…………………………………………… 1

Principals of Litigation (LS 3340)..................………………… 3

Evidence for Paralegals (LS 3341)….............………………... 3

Advanced Research and Writing (LS 3350)....……………….. 3

Constitutional Law (LS/CJ 3305)…………………………….. 3

Interview and Interrogation (LS/CJ 4303).…………………... 3

Budgeting (LS/CJ 4308)……………………………………… 3

Internship (LS/CJ 4360)……………………………………… 3

Courts and Court Procedures (LS/CJ 4302)………………….. 3

Research Methods (LS/CJ 4307)……………………………… 3

Directed Study (LS/CJ 4350)…………………………………. 3

Total Semester Hours for a B. S. in Legal Studies………………… 123/128

This course provides an overview of the paralegal profession. The course includes an introduction tolegal terminology, the judicial system, legal ethics, legal research and writing, substantive law, and paralegal ethics. This course also provides an overview of job search skills specific to the paralegal profession. No Prerequisites. LS 1300 is a prerequisite for all LS courses and is usually offeredevery fall, spring, and summer semesters.

An introduction to the law library and use of legal publications. This course also covers various techniques and formats of legal writing, including the legal case brief, the legal memorandum, and the IRAC method. This course also includes an overview of ethical issues surrounding legal research and writing. Prerequisites: LS 1300, EH 1301 and EH 1302. LS 1310 is usually offered every fall and spring.

A purposeful collection of student work that is accumulated throughout the student’s studies.  Under the guidance of the Legal Studies Program Director, students must submit material that reveals the extent of student learning, achievement, and development.  The paralegal portfolio is intended to assess acquired knowledge and competence in areas considered necessary to successfully work as a paralegal/legal assistant. Prerequisites: Approval of Legal Studies Director.

2304 Paralegal Ethics

This course will introduce students to the types of moral and ethical dilemmas encountered in the legal field; generally to the ethical rules developed by the American Bar Association, and specifically, to the rules adopted by the State of Alabama for the regulation of attorney and paralegal conduct and the model codes of paralegal associations; and to methods for researching the answers to ethical dilemmas. Prerequisites: LS 1300. LS 2304 is usually offered every fall semester (day) and every summer semester (night).

This course covers legal areas pertaining to the family; divorce, marital rights, property division, child custody, and alimony. Also includes an emphasis on practical skills and ethical considerations relative to the family law paralegal. Prerequisites: LS 1300; Students enrolled in Fundamentals of Reading and Writing, EH 0301 or EH 0302, will not be allowed to take this class. LS 2310 is usually offered every spring semester.

Covers the law and legal procedures peculiar to real property such as buying/selling real estate, abstracts of titles, deeds, leases, easements, legal descriptions, conveyances, and landlord-tenant relationships. Also includes an emphasis on practical skills and ethical considerations relative to the family law paralegal. Prerequisites: LS 1300; Students enrolled in Fundamentals of Reading and Writing, EH 0301 or EH 0302, will not be allowed to take this course. LS 2320 is usually offered every spring semester.

Covers the process of estate planning and probate, with emphasis on will drafting, creation of trusts, probate administration, guardianships and conservatorships. Includes an emphasis on practical skills and ethical considerations relative to the probate law paralegal. Prerequisites: LS 1300; Students enrolled in Fundamentals of Reading and Writing, EH 0301 or EH 0302, will not be allowed to take this course. LS 2330 is usually offered every fall semester.

This course provides a hands-on computer oriented course to familiarize students with commercial software packages used in law offices. Particular emphasis is on the use of Westlaw, Lexis, and the Internet. The course also includes an emphasis on advanced legal research and writing projects. Prerequisites: LS 1300, EH 1301, EH 1302, LS1310, CIS1302, and LS 2340. LS 2335 is usually offered every summer.

Provides an analysis of the litigation process covering discovery methods, rules of evidence, court systems, settlement and post litigation procedures. Also includes an emphasis on practical civil procedure skills and ethical considerations relative to the paralegal. Prerequisites: LS 1300. Students enrolled in EH 0301 or 0302, Fundamentals of Reading and Writing, will not be allowed to take this course. LS 2340 is usually offered every fall semester.

A study of the rules of evidence applicable to admissibility requirements, burden of proof, testimonial privileges, hearsay rule, opinion testimony, documentary and real evidence. Also provides an overview of the typical responsibilities of the paralegal in the collection and presentation of evidence. Prerequisites: LS 1300; Students enrolled in Fundamentals of Reading and Writing, EH 0301 or EH 0302, will not be allowed to take this course. LS 2341 is usually offered every spring semester.

This course provides an introduction and analysis of applicable substantive criminal law and criminal procedure. This course also provides an emphasis on practical paralegal skills and ethical guidelines for the criminal law paralegal. Prerequisites: LS 1300; Students enrolled in Fundamentals of Reading and Writing, EH 0301 or EH 0302, will not be allowed to take this class. LS 2346 is usually offered every spring semester.

This course includes an advanced independent legal research and writing project and oral presentation utilizing electronic visual aids or independent preparation for the Certified Legal Assistant Examination (CLA Exam) under faculty direction. Prerequisites: LS 1300 and approval of Legal Studies Director. LS 2350 is usually offered every fall semester.

This course offers the student a supervised work experience as a public or private sector paralegal. This course also emphasizes an understanding of the legal office work culture, job search skills, and oral communication skills. Prerequisites: LS 1300; Students enrolled in Fundamentals of Reading and Writing, EH 0301 or EH 0302, will not be allowed to take this class. LS 2360 is usually offered every spring and summer semester.

2370       Tort Law

This course provides insight into the legal system through the study of tort law, the progression of a civil complaint. It also emphasizes practical paralegal skills and ethical guidelines associated with the civil litigation paralegal. Prerequisites: LS 1300; Students enrolled in Fundamentals of Reading and Writing, EH 0301 or EH 0302, will not be allowed to take this course. LS 2370 is usually offered every summer semester.

This course provides an introduction and examination of various business entities and business law concepts. This course also provides an emphasis on practical skills and ethical guidelines essential for the legal assistant and other business professionals. Prerequisites: LS 1300; Students enrolled in Fundamentals of Reading and Writing, EH 0301 and EH 0302, will not be allowed to take thisclass. LS 2380 is usually offered every summer semester.

This course provides an analysis of the litigation process covering discovery methods, rules of evidence, court systems, settlement and post-litigation procedures. Also includes an emphasis on practical civil litigation skills and ethical considerations relative to the paralegal. Prerequisites: LS 1300; LS 1310; EH 1301 and 1302. LS 3340 is usually offered every spring semester (day).

This course is a study of the rules of evidence applicable to admissibility requirements, burden of proof, testimonial privileges, hearsay rule, opinion testimony, documentary and real evidence. This course provides an in depth analysis of the Federal Rules of Evidence and an analysis of the case law applicable to the rules. This course also provides an overview of the typical responsibilities of the paralegal in the collection and presentation of evidence. Prerequisites: LS 1300; Completion of Fundamentals of Reading and Writing, EH 0301 or 0302, if placement required. LS 3341 is usually offered every spring semester (day).

This course is designed to enhance the foundation of paralegal competencies developed in the student’s introductory and elective course work. Through study of advanced legal specialty subjects, students will gain additional experience and skill in critical analysis of legal issues, locating and evaluating appropriate legal authority and the application of such authority to the resolution of hypothetical factual situations. The student will also consider advanced legal writing strategies applicable to successful litigation and appellate practice. Prerequisites: Approval of Legal Studies Director. LS 3350 is usually offered every fall semester (day).

A purposeful collection of student work that is accumulated throughout the student’s studies.  Under the guidance of the Legal Studies Program Director, students must submit material that reveals the extent of student learning, achievement, and development.  The paralegal portfolio is intended to assess acquired knowledge and competence in areas considered necessary to successfully work as a paralegal/legal assistant. The Paralegal Portfolio is completed in lieu of a comprehensive final examination. Prerequisites: Approval of Legal Studies Director.