Paralegal Studies - Associate of Applied Science
NMSU Alamogordo 2024-2025 Catalog
PL S courses, even with the same title, will not replace or substitute for Criminal Justice courses on the Criminal Justice degree plan.
A grade of C- or better is required in all courses.
Total Credits Required for the Degree: 60
Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements and elective credits to total at least 60 credits. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Select one course from four of the following six content areas for a total of 12-14 credits. 1, 2 | 12-14 | |
| This degree requires courses from Areas I, IV, and V; students must select one other course from the remaining areas to complete General Education requirements. | ||
Area I: Communications | ||
| Composition I | 4 | |
Area II: Mathematics | ||
Area III: Laboratory Science | ||
Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences | ||
| American National Government | 3 | |
Area V: Humanities | ||
Choose one from the following: | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy | 3 | |
| Philosophical Thought | 3 | |
| Logic, Reasoning, & Critical Thinking | 3 | |
Area VI: Creative/Fine Arts | ||
| General Education Elective | ||
| COMM 1115G | Introduction to Communication | 3 |
| or COMM 1130G | Public Speaking | |
| Program Requirements | ||
| ACCT 2110 | Principles of Accounting I | 3 |
| OATS 213 | Word Processing I | 3 |
| ENGL 2210G | Professional and Technical Communication Honors | 3 |
| or ENGL 2221G | Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | |
| PL S 160 | Legal System for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PL S 190 | Criminal Law for the Paralegal | 3 |
| or CJUS 1120 | Criminal Law | |
| PL S 200 | Legal Ethics for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PL S 221 | Internship I 3 | 2-4 |
| PL S 231 | The Law of Commerce for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PL S 274 | Legal Research and Writing for the Paralegal I | 3 |
| PL S 275 | Tort and Insurance for the Paralegal | 3 |
| or PL S 276 | Wills, Trusts, and Probate for the Paralegal | |
| PL S 278 | Litigation for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PL S 279 | Legal Research and Writing for the Paralegal II | 3 |
| Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Human Relations in Business | 3 | |
| Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
| Introduction to Sociology | 3 | |
| Paralegal Electives | ||
| Select from the following: | 6 | |
| Criminal Courts and Procedure | 3 | |
| Immigration Law | 3 | |
| Internship II 3 | 1-3 | |
| Family Law for the Paralegal | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
Each course selected must be from a different area and students cannot take multiple courses in the same area.
- 2
See the General Education Section of the catalog for a full list of courses.
- 3
A maximum of 6 credits of PL S 221 or PL S 222 may be applied toward a degree.
NMSU Alamogordo 2024-2025 Catalog
A Suggested Plan of Study - Paralegal Studies
Additional classes may be needed based on placement test results and course prerequisites. Visit with an advisor for help with creating a customized plan.
A grade of C- or better is required in all courses.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ACCT 2110 or ACCT 200 | Principles of Accounting I or A Survey of Accounting | 3 |
| COMM 1130G or COMM 1115G | Public Speaking or Introduction to Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 1110G | Composition I | 4 |
| PL S 160 | Legal System for the Paralegal | 3 |
| POLS 1120G | American National Government | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| OATS 213 | Word Processing I | 3 |
| PL S 190 or CJUS 1120 | Criminal Law for the Paralegal 3 or Criminal Law | 3 |
| PL S 200 | Legal Ethics for the Paralegal | 3 |
| Select one course from Area II, III, or VI 1 | 3-4 | |
| Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Logic, Reasoning, & Critical Thinking | ||
| Philosophical Thought | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PL S 221 | Internship I | 2-4 |
| PL S 231 | The Law of Commerce for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PL S 274 | Legal Research and Writing for the Paralegal I | 3 |
| PL S 275 or PL S 276 | Tort and Insurance for the Paralegal or Wills, Trusts, and Probate for the Paralegal | 3 |
| Elective Course 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 2210G or ENGL 2221G | Professional and Technical Communication Honors or Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | 3 |
| PL S 278 | Litigation for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PL S 279 | Legal Research and Writing for the Paralegal II | 3 |
| Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Human Relations in Business | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Elective Course 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |