Paralegal Studies
Students enrolled in one or more paralegal courses will be assessed $50 each semester to cover the cost of a personal Lexis/Nexis password. This is in addition to any materials fees.
PLS 102 3
Credits
Introduction to the Law
Sources of law in the American tripartite system of
government, with emphasis on state and federal court systems. Substantive law
is studied, including business organizations and contract, criminal, education,
elder, environmental, family, probate, real estate and tort law.
(3 + 0) Offered Fall, Spring
PLS 103 3
Credits
Introduction to Paralegal Skills
Introduction to the skills required of a paralegal in the job
market, including drafting legal documents, pleadings and office correspondence,
fact gathering through interviewing and investigating, use of the Internet and
LexisNexis for legal research, pretrial procedures, focusing primarily on civil
rules 30, 33, 34, 35 and 36 and assisting at trial. (3 + 0) Offered
Fall, Spring
PLS 105 1
Credit
Introduction to Paralegal Ethics
Introduction to the ethical obligations owed by both lawyers
and paralegals to their clients, other lawyers, the court systems where they
work and the general public. Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct and the canons
of ethics promulgated by the two nationwide paralegal associations.
(1 + 0) Offered Fall, Spring
PLS 203 3
Credits
Torts
Study of the essentials needed to effectively assist an
attorney in the filing or defense of claims based on personal injury and property
damage. A basic vocabulary of legal terminology associated with tort law is
studied together with important statutes and case law. Emphasis on Alaska law.
(Prerequisites: PLS 102, PLS 103 and PLS 105 or permission of instructor.)
(3 + 0) Offered Spring
PLS 210 3
Credits
Civil Procedure
Basic vocabulary and concepts essential to effectively assist
an attorney with the procedural aspects of civil litigations. (Prerequisites:
PLS 102, PLS 103 and PLS 105 or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0)
Offered Fall
PLS 213 3
Credits
Criminal Law for Paralegals
Study of both the substantive criminal law and the rudiments
of criminal procedure, focusing on both Alaska law and procedure and important
constitutional considerations associated with due process, search and seizure
and Fifth Amendment rights. Learn and work with a basic vocabulary unique to
criminal law and procedure. (Prerequisites: PLS 102, PLS 103 and PLS 105 or
permission of instructor. Does not substitute for JUST 352.) (3 + 0)
Offered Spring
PLS 215 3
Credits
Contracts/Real Property
Basic vocabulary and concepts essential to effectively assist
an attorney with the preparation of contracts and real property transactions.
(Prerequisites: PLS 102, PLS 103 and PLS 105 or permission of instructor.)
(3 + 0) Offered Fall
PLS 240 3
Credits
Family Law
Basic vocabulary and concepts essential to understanding
family law and assisting a practicing attorney. (Prerequisites: PLS 102, PLS
103 and PLS 105 or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Spring
PLS 242 3
Credits
Employment and Administrative Law
Legal principles which define the relationship between
employers and employees. Includes obligations imposed by Federal and Alaska
state statutes, and administrative regulations. Includes how administrative
agencies are created and how they provide administrative law through
promulgation of rules and regulations and through quasi-judicial decisions.
(Prerequisites: PLS 102, PLS 103 and PLS 105 or permission of instructor.)
(3 + 0) Offered Spring
PLS 250 3
Credits
Probate Law
Basics of probate law and the uniform probate code. Includes
the preparation and interpretation of wills, administration of decedent's estates,
intestate succession laws, guardianships and other related probate matters.
Focus on Alaska statutes and probate rules. (Prerequisites: PLS 102, PLS 103
and PLS 105 or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall
PLS 260 3
Credits
Computers in the Law Office
Introduction to the role of computers in the law office.
Includes hardware and software. Use of word processors, spreadsheets, databases,
computer-assisted legal research, the Internet and electronic mail, and
litigation support, case management and bookkeeping/billing software.
(Prerequisite: PLS 102, PLS 103, PLS 105 and CIOS 150 or permission of instructor.)
(3 + 0) Offered Spring
PLS 275 3
Credits
Business Organizations
Benefits and shortcomings of the three basic business forms:
corporation, partnership and sole proprietorship. How to form each business
form, how to operate it according to relevant laws and regulations, and how to
dissolve the business. (Prerequisites: PLS 102, PLS 103 and PLS 105 or
permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall
PLS 280 3
Credits
Legal Research and Writing for Paralegals
Legal research skills using law library methods, LexisNexis
and the Internet. Read and understand authorities from three branches of government:
executive, legislative and judicial. Emphasis on precedent from Alaska and
federal court systems. Includes writing skills from drafting of law office
correspondence to preparation of court pleadings and briefs. (Prerequisite: PLS
101 or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Spring
PLS 285 2
Credits
Advanced Legal Writing
Expand on writing skills previously learned by drafting
documents regularly assigned to practicing paralegals. For example, pleadings
to be filed in court, legal documents, such as contracts, wills and those used
by business organizations, office correspondence, deposition summaries and
interoffice legal memorandums. (Prerequisites: PLS 102, 103, 105, and 280.)
(2 + 0) Offered Spring
PLS 299 3
Credits
Paralegal Studies Internship
An internship involving a minimum of 150 hours of work under
the supervision of an attorney, and, when available, a practicing paralegal for
that attorney in a local law office or law-related situation. Must seek
approval of faculty advisor for admittance. (Prerequisites: Must have completed
at least 75% of paralegal studies degree requirements with a minimum 2.8
cumulative GPA or approval of UAF faculty advisor. Note: Students meet as a
class only once. All subsequent classes or meetings with UAF faculty advisor
are arranged by individual student(s) and advisor.) (3 + 0) Offered
Fall, Spring