Criminal Justice & Legal Studies Department

Certificate in Legal Studies Requirements

The Certificate of Completion in the Legal Studies Program is available to those students who have already completed an associate, bachelor, or graduate-level degree.

Core Certificate Courses: 24 hours/Grade of “C” or better     
EN 208 Business & Technical Writing (3)
LG 100 Introduction to Paralegalism (3)
LG 150 Computers in the Law Office (3)
LG 200 Introduction to Law (3)
LG 250 Legal Research I (3)
LG 300 Legal Writing (3)
LG 305 Litigation I (3)
OA 211 Editing & Grammar (3)
Elective Certificate Courses: 12 hours from the following/Grade of “C” or better    
LG 205 Corporate Law (3)
LG 210 Family Law (3)
LG 215 Property Law (3)
LG 220 Wills and Estate Administration (3)
LG 310 Interviewing & Investigation (3)
LG 315 Legal Research II (3)
LG 320 Elder Law (3)
LG 325 Personal Injury Law (3)
LG 330 Administrative Law for Paralegals (3)
LG 345 Criminal Law and Procedure (3)
LG 355 Introduction to Contracts (3)
LG 390 Special Topics in Legal Studies (1-3)
LG 450 Internship (2-3)

All certificate courses may be applied to the Legal Studies Associate of Arts degree.

Associate of Arts in Legal Studies Requirements

University Requirements: 8 hours/Grade of “C” or better    
MA 110 Exploring Mathematics OR  MA 116 College Algebra (3)
EN 101 Freshman Composition (3)
PE 198 Lifetime Wellness (2)
General Education Requirements: 15 hours/Grade of “C” or better           
A. Humanities: Six hours: Selected from the general education curriculum to include two disciplines .
B. Natural Science: Three hours: Selected from the general education curriculum in an area other than mathematics.
C. Social Sciences: Six hours: Selected from the general education curriculum to include two disciplines .
Core Associate Degree Courses: 18 hours/Grade of “C” or better     
LG 100 Introduction to Paralegalism (3)
LG 200 Introduction to Law (3)
LG 250 Legal Research I (3)
LG 300 Legal Writing (3)
LG 305 Litigation I (3)
LG 310 Interviewing & Investigation (3)
Correlate Courses: 9 hours/Grade of “C” or better    
LG 150 Computers in the Law Office (3)
EN 208 Business & Technical Writing (3)
OA 211 Editing & Grammar (3)
Elective Associate Degree Courses: 15 hours from the following/Grade of “C” or better    
LG 205 Corporate Law (3)
LG 210 Family Law (3)
LG 215 Property Law (3)
LG 220 Wills and Estate Administration (3)
LG 315 Legal Research II (3)
LG 320 Elder Law (3)
LG 325 Personal Injury Law (3)
LG 330 Administrative Law for Paralegals (3)
LG 345 Criminal Law and Procedure (3)
LG 350 Professional Ethics (3)
LG 355 Introduction to Contracts (3)
LG 390 Special Topics in Legal Studies (1-3)
LG 410 Bankruptcy and Collections (3)
LG 450 Internship (2-3)

Bachelor in Legal Studies Requirements

University Requirements: 11 hours/Grade of “C” or better    
MA 110 Exploring Mathematics OR  MA 116 College Algebra (3)
EN 101 Freshman Composition (3)
EN 300 Advanced Composition (3)
PE 198 Lifetime Wellness (2)
General Education Requirements: 36 hours/Grade of “C” or better           
A. Humanities: 12 hours selected from the general education curriculum; 3 hours must be from art, music, or theatre; no more than 6 hours from one discipline.
B. Natural Science: 12 hours selected from the general education curriculum; no more than 6 hours from one discipline.
C. Social Sciences: 12 hours selected from the general education curriculum; no more than 6 hours from one discipline.
Core Bachelor Degree Courses: 27 hours/Grade of "C" or better
LG 100 Introduction to Paralegalism (3)
LG 150 Computers in the Law Office (3)
LG 200 Introduction to Law (3)
LG 250 Legal Research (3)
LG 300 Legal Writing (3)
LG 305 Litigation I (3)
LG 310 Interviewing & Investigation (3)
LG 405 Litigation II (3)
LG 450 Internship (2-3)
Correlate Courses: 15 hours from any of the following/Grade of “C” or better  
A. Computer Skills   
CM 101 Computer Competency and the Internet (3)
LG 390 Special Topics in Computer Software (1-3)
OA 225 Spreadsheet Applications (3)
OA 231 Word Processing Applications (3)
OA 235 Database Applications (3)
OA 290 Special Topics in Office Administration (1-3)
B. Business/Professional Skills
AC 224 Financial Accounting (3)
BU 101 Introduction to Business (3)
CN 320 Communication in the Legal Process (3)
OA 211 Editing & Grammar (3)
OA 241 Office Management (3)
TA 310 Technology and Society (3)
C. Analytical/Reasoning Skills
PH 107 Critical Reasoning (3)
PH 220 Logic (3)
PH 315 Philosophy of Law (3)
PO 106 Government of the United States (3)
PO 107 American State and Local Government (3)
PO 339 Constitutional Law I: Federal Institutions (3)
PO 340 Constitutional Law II: Civil Liberties (3)
MM300 Mass Media Law (3)
Elective Bachelor Degree Courses: 18 hours from the following/Grade of “C” or better    
LG 205 Corporate Law (3)
LG 210 Family Law (3)
LG 215 Property Law (3)
LG 220 Wills and Estate Administration (3)
LG 315 Legal Research II (3)
LG 320 Elder Law (3)
LG 325 Personal Injury Law (3)
LG 330 Administrative Law for Paralegals (3)
LG 345 Criminal Law and Procedure (3)
LG 350 Professional Ethics (3)
LG 355 Introduction to Contracts (3)
LG 390 Special Topics in Legal Studies (1-3)
LG 410 Bankruptcy and Collections (3)
LG 495 Legal Studies BLS Capstone (4)
Minor: No minor is required.

Course Descriptions

LG 100 Introduction to Paralegalism (3)
Introduction to the substantive skills required of a paralegal. Focus is on the skills of persons who will function under the supervision of an attorney. Course topics include interviewing, investigation, research, legal writing, preparing for litigation, law office management systems, and legal ethics and unauthorized practice of law. Prerequisite: None.

LG 150 Computers in the Law Office (3)
Overview of computer technology applicable to law office management, document production, scheduling, research, litigation support and communication with other systems. Includes practice on computer terminals. Prerequisite: None.

LG 200 Introduction to Law (3)
Introduction to legal terminology and legal principles. Study of course topics will include constitutional principles, judicial decision-making, and the state and federal legal systems, as well as a survey of the law of torts, contracts, criminal law, property, and procedural law. Prerequisite: None.

LG 205 Corporate Law (3)
A study of business organizations and the tasks a paralegal would be required to perform in setting up and maintaining those organizations. Topics covered include: law of agency, partnership, limited partnership and corporations. Prerequisite: LG 100, LG 200, or consent.

LG 210 Family Law (3)
Family law issues are the focus of this course, including the law of divorce, annulment and separate maintenance actions. The gathering of information and preparation of pleadings are undertaken. Adoption and custody procedures are reviewed. Prerequisite: LG 100, LG 200, or consent.

LG 215 Property Law (3)
Procedural and substantive principles of real and personal property laws. Preparation of documents for common real estate transactions, including deeds, contracts, and mortgages. Personal property topics will include bailments, possession, accession and gifts. Prerequisite: LG 100, LG 200, or consent.

LG 220 Wills & Estate Administration (3)
Involves probating a will or administering an estate; assembling information necessary for collection and evaluating assets; maintaining proper records for accounting purposes; preparing pleadings for initial petition and appointment of an administrator and executor; sale, mortgage, and lease of assets; and preparing estate tax returns, wills and trusts. Interstate succession and tax implications are studied. Prerequisite: LG 100, LG 200, or consent.

LG 250 Legal Research I (3)
Introduction to primary and secondary authorities, including court decisions, legislation, annotations, digests, legal periodicals and specialty texts and reports. Practical research projects, including legal writing. Prerequisite: LG 200 or consent.

LG 300 Legal Writing (3)
The various forms of legal writing are the focus of this course, including letters, memoranda, motions, and briefs. Students will learn further research techniques, including an introduction to computerized legal research. Practical writing projects are included. Prerequisite: LG 250 or consent.

LG 305 Litigation I (3)
Analysis of the steps and procedures in preparing for litigation. Course topics include a detailed study of the preparation and use of discovery devices, the drafting of pleadings and motions, and a detailed analysis of the steps involved in trial preparation and procedure. Prerequisite: LG 100, 200, or consent.

LG 310 Interviewing & Investigation (3)
Study of basic interviewing techniques in various legal settings. Mock interviews of clients and witnesses. Various styles of interviewing covered, as well as question-asking and listening techniques. Factual and legal investigation theories, plans and techniques will be used. Ethical concerns related to interviewing witnesses and clients covered. Rules of evidence will be reviewed. Prerequisites: LG 100, 200, or consent.

LG 315 Legal Research II (3)
This course is designed to teach students further research techniques, including the research of legislative history and administrative law, both through library research and computer-assisted legal research. Prerequisites: LG 250 or consent.

LG 320 Elder Law (3)
Introduction to laws that affect the elderly population. Study of course topics will include estate planning, guardianship and conservatorship, patients' rights, entitlement programs, managed care, social security, Medicare, Medicaid, and elder abuse.
Prerequisite: LG 100, 200, or consent.

LG 325 Personal Injury Law (3)
Introduction to basic concepts in tort law, including elements of various tort claims, defenses, privileges and immunities. Prerequisites: LG 100, 200, or consent.

LG 330 Administrative Law for Paralegals (3)
An introduction to administrative law concepts. Topics covered in the course will include, but not be limited to: delegation of authority to administrative agencies; limitations on agencies' authority; due process of law in the administrative arena; informal versus formal agency actions; rule-making; FOIA; the Privacy Act; open meetings; adjudicative functions of agencies; Administrative Procedures Act; and judicial review. Practical application of the concepts studied will occur through the completion of exercises and drafting assignments. Prerequisites: LG 100, 200, or consent.

LG 345 Criminal Law (3)
Introduction to substantive criminal law and criminal procedure for the paralegal. Topics covered include elements of crimes against persons and property; burden of proof; defenses and constitutional protection; comparison of Kansas law with common law, federal law, and selected other states. Prerequisite: LG 100, 200, or consent.

LG 350 Professional Ethics (3)
An overview of the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct, which govern the practice of law in Kansas. Subjects covered include: ethics in the law office, unauthorized practice of law, advertising of legal services, contact with parties who are represented by counsel, impaired, lawyers, competency, professionalism, and fees for paralegal work. Complaints, disciplinary proceedings, and possible sanctions are covered. The role of the Kansas Supreme Court and the duties of attorneys under the rules are studied.

LG 355 Introduction to Contracts (3)
Overview of contract law in relation to the formation of contracts, the Statute of Frauds, third-party beneficiary contracts, assignment of rights and delegation of duties, liability for breach of contract, termination, discharge and other related issues. Practical drafting projects are included. Prerequisite: LG 100, 200, or consent.

LG 390 Special Topics in Legal Studies (1-3)
Selected topics which vary from semester to semester. Announced in advance. Prerequisite: Specified on each topic.

LG 405 Litigation II (3)
Analysis of the steps involved in criminal procedure. Constitutional principles and limitations will be studied. Appropriate pleadings will be drafted relating to the various stages of a criminal trial. Advanced civil litigation topics will also be studied, such as class actions, complex litigation, and various settlement devices, including alternative dispute resolution modalities. Students will research and complete a comparative study of the criminal and civil litigation systems. Prerequisite: LG 305 Litigation I.

LG 410 Bankruptcy and Collections (3)
Acquaints students with the legal foundations for methods commonly used to collect delinquent accounts, as well as the terminology of bankruptcy practice and the statutory framework of and proceedings under the Bankruptcy Act. Prerequisite: LG 100, 200, and 250 or consent.

LG 450 Legal Assistant Internship (2-3)
Special placement of a student in a law firm, agency, or other legal setting using paralegals. Specific learning objectives established for each placement. Pass/Fail only. Prerequisite: Students must apply with the program director and be given consent to enroll.

LG 495 Legal Studies BLS Capstone (4)
Students who have completed all of their major course work (or who are concurrently enrolled in their final semester and completing their major course work) may enroll in the capstone course with the consent of the program director. Students will complete a self-assessment, using the core competencies for the profession to determine if remedial work needs to be done in any area before graduation. In addition, students will participate in resume-writing, job interviewing skills and networking. Mock interviews will be scheduled for each student. Each student will complete a research project.
Students will attend two different paralegal organization meetings and two court sessions. Report writing will be included. Ethics will be emphasized by the use of hypothetical situations which will be analyzed and discussed. Students must participate in at least one pro bono activity (i.e., serve as a witness or juror in mock trial or client counseling competitions at the law school or high schools; assist at the Washburn University Law Clinic; assist a not-for-profit organization in the provision of legal services and assistance to low-income individuals and/or children; or, any other approved volunteer effort). Prerequisite: Consent.