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, 212-14
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 I4
Area II: Mathematics
Area III: Laboratory Science
Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences
American National Government3
Area V: Humanities
Choose one from the following:
Introduction to Philosophy3
Philosophical Thought3
Logic, Reasoning, & Critical Thinking3
Area VI: Creative/Fine Arts
General Education Elective
COMM 1115GIntroduction to Communication3
or COMM 1130G Public Speaking
Program Requirements
ACCT 2110Principles of Accounting I3
OATS 213Word Processing I3
ENGL 2210GProfessional and Technical Communication Honors3
or ENGL 2221G Writing in the Humanities and Social Science
PL S 160Legal System for the Paralegal3
PL S 190Criminal Law for the Paralegal3
or CJUS 1120 Criminal Law
PL S 200Legal Ethics for the Paralegal3
PL S 221Internship I 32-4
PL S 231The Law of Commerce for the Paralegal3
PL S 274Legal Research and Writing for the Paralegal I3
PL S 275Tort and Insurance for the Paralegal3
or PL S 276 Wills, Trusts, and Probate for the Paralegal
PL S 278Litigation for the Paralegal3
PL S 279Legal Research and Writing for the Paralegal II3
Choose one from the following:3
Human Relations in Business3
Introduction to Psychology3
Introduction to Sociology3
Paralegal Electives
Select from the following: 6
Criminal Courts and Procedure3
Immigration Law3
Internship II 31-3
Family Law for the Paralegal3
Total Credits60
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.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
ACCT 2110
Principles of Accounting I
or A Survey of Accounting
3
COMM 1130G
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
 Credits16
Spring
OATS 213 Word Processing I 3
PL S 190
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
 Credits15
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
Tort and Insurance for the Paralegal
or Wills, Trusts, and Probate for the Paralegal
3
Elective Course 2 3
 Credits14
Spring
ENGL 2210G
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
 Credits15
 Total Credits60
1

See the General Education Section of the catalog for a full list of courses.

2

Select from CJUS 2120, PL S 203PL S 222, or PL S 277.

3

CJUS 1120 Criminal Law offered in Fall semester only.