Legal Studies
Associate of Applied Science
Certificate
School: Business and Professional Studies
Dean: George Repic, grepic@sunyrockland.edu
Program Director: Patricia Szobonya, pszobony@sunyrockland.edu
Support Staff: Jeremy Cordock
Location: Academic II, Room 2314, Phone: 845-574-4731
Degrees Offered:
Program Goals:
The program, which is approved by the American Bar Association, provides a dynamic and academically challenging course of study. Students will develop a critical understanding of the law in preparation for a career in the legal profession.
Program Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate up-to-date skills in law office technology, including using practice specific applications, electronic filing, and appropriate word-processing software
- Apply principles of computerized and manual legal researching, and master the skills of legal writing
- Apply strong written and oral communication skills
- Produce various legal documents, such as motions, discovery papers, pleadings, forms as well as practice specific documents such as real estate contracts, wills, among others
- Identify and use the principles of legal ethics and professional responsibility
- Demonstrate knowledge of their profession, with insight as to the ever-changing role of the paralegal, licensing and certification issues, employment trends and options, paralegal networking organizations and professional development
- Apply substantive knowledge of the law in the following areas: the court systems, jurisdiction, civil and criminal procedure, contracts, torts, wills and estates, real estate, family and matrimonial law
- Employ effective people skills to promote positive client relationships, conduct client and witness interviews, and network within the paralegal community