Applicants must have a 2.0 GPA and be accepted into the Legal Studies Program before taking PAR courses. Applicants must be able to perform at the college level in math, English, & reading. Required English courses (ENG 1101, 1201, 1199) should be taken as early in the program as possible. Students must achieve a C (79%) in all PAR courses, and maintain a 2.0 GPA while in the program. Students must purchase a LexisNexis license for all semesters in the PAR program. Completion of the Legal Studies program does not authorize a graduate to practice law as an attorney. More PAR Program information is available at https://www.sinclair.edu/academics/divisions/bps/par/
This Sample Program Pathway is designed to provide an example of course selections in a term by term sequence. Please see an Academic Advisor for a plan specific to your academic needs.
Description: The paralegal's role in the legal system is introduced. The function of case law, statutes, administrative regulations, constitutions and court rules are explored.
Prerequisites: Restricted to Majors
Corequisites: PAR 1102 AND PAR 1103
Description: This course develops students' skills in introduction to the technology used in law firm environments.
Notes: A-Term
Prerequisites: Restricted to Majors
Corequisites: PAR 1101 AND PAR 1103
Description: Introduction to the civil system, courts, torts and civil pleadings. The student will develop skills in drafting basic pleadings. Note: This course must be taken concurrently with PAR 1101 and PAR 1102.
Notes: A-term
Prerequisites: Restricted to Majors
Corequisites: PAR 1101 AND PAR 1102
Description: This course develops students' skills in use of software in a legal environment, including spreadsheets, databases, data backup media, group calendaring and research on the Internet.
Notes: B-Term
Prerequisites: PAR 1102 and Restricted to Majors
Term hours subtotal:
8
Description: This course develops student skills in researching Ohio's legal resources, writing legal memos and letters and using the Ohio Manual of Citations. Note: This may be taken concurrently with PAR 1103.
Prerequisites: PAR 1101 and PAR 1102 and Restricted to Majors
Description: In English Composition I students learn reflective, analytical and argumentative writing strategies, incorporating sources and personal experience. Students will negotiate between public and private rhetorical situations and purposes to achieve academic literacy. They will write multiple drafts using a recursive writing process as they work toward fluency in style and mechanics. Note: Students who have not successfully completed the pre-requisites listed can register for ENG 1101 together with the co-requisite course ENG 0101 - English Composition I Booster.
Prerequisites: DEV 0035 or Other (Placement Test Score)
Description: Explanation of the legal phases of a realty transaction. Examination of types of estates in land, co-ownership, mortgages, Ohio license law, landlord/ tenant law and legal factors in financing. This course is part of Sinclair’s Ohio Real Estate Sales Associate pre-licensure program. Successful completion of the courses in Sinclair’s Ohio Real Estate Sales Associate pre-licensure program meets the educational requirement for you to sit for the Ohio Real Estate Salesperson Examination only (further state requirements must also be satisfied). Sinclair’s pre-licensure program is not intended to meet requirements for license examination in any other state.
Term hours subtotal:
9
Description: Mathematics of finance, mathematics of trade, payroll, taxes, insurance, elementary statistics. Traditional testing (proctored or in Testing Center) is used in all online sections.
Notes: MAT 1120 or Any Mathematics, Statistics & Logic elective from the approved Ohio Transfer 36 List. View electives at www.https://sinclair.edu/ot36
Description: Use word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software applications to create reports, spreadsheets, databases and presentations for business and other applications.
Description: The American legal system as it relates to business transactions, including the judicial system and sources of law, legal procedures, torts, business ethics and social responsibility, contracts, property, employment law, agency, partnerships and corporations.
Term hours subtotal:
9
Description: Develops skills introduced in Legal Research & Writing. This course covers research in federal and national legal resources, writing trial briefs, writing research memoranda and letters and using a citations manual.
Prerequisites: PAR 1101 and PAR 1102 and PAR 1201 and Restricted to Majors
Description: A critical analysis of contemporary American society with review of major sociological theories, research methods, culture, socialization, groups, social structure, social institutions, deviance, social inequalities, social processes and social change.
Notes: Program elective. Choose from one of the following courses: SOC 1101, PSY 1100
Term hours subtotal:
6
Description: The paralegal's role in the litigation process, from pleadings through discovery and trial. This course develops student paralegal skills in drafting pleadings, use of discovery tools and litigation software.
Notes: B-term
Prerequisites: PAR 1101 and PAR 1102 and PAR 1103 and Restricted to Majors
Description: English Composition II, building on the skills in English Composition I, develops rhetorical literacy through research, critical reading and multigenre writing tasks. Through major and minor, cumulative and stand-alone assignments, students construct arguments and analyses, ethically incorporating academic sources while developing their own voices as writers and citizens.
Prerequisites: ENG 1101
Term hours subtotal:
6
Description: Strategies to achieve a clear, concise, cohesive and emphatic writing style; sentence structure; contemporary grammar and usage.
Prerequisites: Other (Placement Test Score)
Description: Exploration of the development, maintenance and termination of interpersonal relationships. The focus is on effective verbal and nonverbal interactions between two people, highlighting methods of initiating and maintaining effective communication with, and understanding of, others through learning and applying interpersonal communication theory.
Term hours subtotal:
6
Description: This course develops student paralegal skills in preparation of documents in a domestic relations practice, including pleadings and forms.
Prerequisites: PAR 1101 and PAR 1102 and PAR 1103 and Restricted to Majors
Description: Summary and full administration of probate estates, adoptions, guardianships, name changes and minor settlements.
Prerequisites: PAR 1101 and PAR 1102 and PAR 1103 and Restricted to Majors
Term hours subtotal:
6
Description: Basic concepts of Criminal Law and analysis of state and federal criminal statutes. Elements of crimes, criminal liability, jurisdiction over criminal offenses and criminal defenses and criminal responsibility will be examined. Additionally, crimes against property, crimes against persons and alcohol and drug crimes will be covered.
Notes: Program elective. Choose from one of the following courses: CJS 1105, LAW 1102, LAW 1103, LAW 1104, PAR 2507, or PAR 2511. Not all electives are offered every term. Students should refer to the Course Planning assignment completed in PAR 1101 for additional information on offerings.
Prerequisites: CJS 1101 or PAR 1101
Description: Historical inquiry into the major concepts and attitudes of moral and ethical theory in Western society, emphasizing the role of human responsibility and the conditions for making ethical judgments.
Notes: Any Arts and Humanities elective from the approved Ohio Transfer 36 List. View electives at: www.http://sinclair.edu/ot36
Term hours subtotal:
6
Description: This course will provide the student with an understanding of current legal issues in the area of employer/employee relations. Emphasis is placed on legal issues that arise in the employment relationship, employment discrimination issues and federal and state regulations applicable to employment law. The use of current events is emphasized to reinforce areas covered in the course materials.
Notes: Program elective. Choose from one of the following courses: CJS 1105, LAW 1102, LAW 1103, LAW 1104, PAR 2507, or PAR 2511. Not all electives are offered every term. Students should refer to the Course Planning assignment completed in PAR 1101 for additional information on offerings.
Description: Application of skills in a legal environment. Professionalism, resumes and interviewing skills. One classroom, seven practicum hours per week.
Notes: You should take this course in your last semester in PAR. You must complete your student portfolio during this course. Completion of certain substantive courses may also be required, depending on the nature of the internship placement. Attend an internship meeting prior to registration. Instructor permission is required to take the Internship. You are permitted to arrange your own internship placement, subject to instructor approval. Plan on working at least 8 hours/week at the internship workplace, and attending some classroom sessions.
Prerequisites: PAR 1101 and PAR 1102 and PAR 1103 and Restricted to Majors and Approval of Department
Term hours subtotal:
5