Department of Political Science
College of Liberal Arts

Paralegal Studies Curriculum Map

The Department of Political Science offers the Paralegal Studies Concentration for Political Science majors.  The Paralegal Studies Concentration is an online concentration that provides a pathway for aspiring paralegals.  However, the Paralegal Studies Concentration is not affiliated with JSU Online.

This concentration is ideal for students not able to enroll in law school or are not interested in attending law school, but still want to pursue employment in the legal profession.  Students can use this as a pathway to work in the legal profession.  Both the Legal Studies and Paralegal Studies are excellent academic pursuits and cover the para-professional and aspiring professional law school students with viable instruction, relevant to their academic pursuits.

The Paralegal Studies curriculum is designed to enhance student readiness for employment as a paralegal or administrative professional.  The courses within the curriculum assist students in developing the necessary skills to perform in government or private businesses efficiently and effectively.

Paralegal Studies is not an accredited program by the American Bar Association (ABA).  The ABA designates law school programs for accreditation, not Paralegal Studies programs at the undergraduate level. 

Paralegal Studies Concentration Required Courses (15 hours):

PS 490 Computer-Assisted Research in the Legal Environment (3)
PS 491 Law Office Management and Technology (3)
PS 492 Trial Preparation (3)
PS 493 eDiscovery for Paralegals (3)
PS 494 Paralegal Internship (3)

These courses make up the curriculum for the Paralegal Studies Concentration and are delivered online:

Paralegal Studies Courses:

• PS 490 Computer-Assisted Research in the Legal Environment
  • Establishes the foundations and practical applications of computer-based research in the legal environment. Computer-assisted legal research will include understanding government legal databases and private legal databases such as Westlaw and Lexis and filing mechanisms for Mississippi and the Federal Government.

• PS ­­­­491 Law Office Management and Technology
  • Examines applications of computer software and hardware in the legal environment. Legal applications of word processing, databases, and spreadsheets. Legal software for document generation, document management, fiscal management, time billing, time and document management, computer-assisted legal research, and information management in the workflow process.

• PS 492 Trial Preparation
  • Presents a comprehensive overview of the criminal and civil trial processes. Preparation for trial of criminal and civil cases, as studied through case law, procedures, techniques, and strategies. This course presents a comprehensive overview of the criminal trial process. Preparation and trial of a criminal case as studied through case law, procedures, techniques, and strategies. Contrast of Mississippi law and Federal procedures.

• PS 493 eDiscovery for Paralegals
  • Introduces the eDiscovery process. This will analyze the entire eDiscovery process, from preparation, requests, collection, and review of Electronically Stored Information (ESI).

• PS 494 Paralegal Internship
  • Encompasses field work experience of 90 hours in a private sector law office, corporation, bank, or public sector agency. Required classroom seminar supplements experiential component and includes discussion of field work experience, ethical considerations, and career options.

Thank you for your interest in the Paralegal Studies Program.