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Course Information

Find course information below, including required textbooks/materials for class, required and elective course outlines and descriptions, and suggested course of study for two-year track students as well as fast track students. 

Spring 2024 Course Materials & Book Lists

OU Bookstore (Select "PSP - Paralegal Studies" in Department drop down.)
 

Introduction to Law

Required

Title: Introduction to Law for Paralegals

Author: Campbell, Currier & Eimermann

ISBN: 9781543858471

Edition: Eighth

Publisher: Aspen, 2023
*Since this book edition was recently published, students can use the seventh edition (ISBN 9781543807783)


Legal Writing & Analysis

Required

Title: Harvard Bluebook to the Twenty First Edition

ISBN: 9780578666150

Edition: 21st ed.

Required 

Title: Basic Legal Writing for Paralegals

Author: Hope Viner Samborn, Andrea B. Yelin

ISBN: 9781543813807

Edition: Sixth

Publisher: Aspen


Legal Research I & II

Required (Digital Access Provided)

Title: Legal Research in a Nutshell

Author: Kent C. Olson

ISBN:  9781636590639

Edition: Fourteenth

 Publisher: West Academic


Contracts

Required

Title: Basic Contracts Law for Paralegals, Tenth Edition and The Law Simulation Series: Contract Law Access Card

Author: Jeffrey A. Helewitz

ISBN:  Basic Contract Law for Paralegals, Tenth Edition by Jeffrey A. Helewitz, (Individual Book ISBN: 9781543839531); The Law Simulation Series: Contract Law, (Individual Digital ISBN: 9781454837114 (can be purchsed on Aspen's website for instant access. ). Bundle: 9798886145571

Edition: Tenth

Publisher: Aspen


Criminal Law & Procedure

Required

Title: Criminal Law and Procedure for the Paralegal

Author: Neal R. Bevans

ISBN:  978-1133693581

Edition: 2015

Publisher: Delmar Cengage Learning


Real Property

Required

Title: Real Estate and Property Law for Paralegals

Author: Neal R. Bevans

ISBN:  9781543826883

Edition: 6th

Publisher: Aspen




Resume Writing & Interviewing

No textbook required.


Torts

Required

Title: Personal Injury and the Law of Torts for Paralegals

Author: Emily Lynch Morissette

ISBN:  9781543858624 (Paperback & eBook); 9798889063292 (eBook Digital Only)

Edition: 6th

Publisher: Aspen


Capstone

Required

Title: Certified Paralegal Exam Fundamentals

Author: National Association of Legal Assistants

ISBN 13: 9780578454863 

Edition: Second

Publisher: NALA

*The first edition can be used as well. Addendums/updates located on NALA's website.

Fall 2023 Course Materials & Book Lists

OU Bookstore (Select "PSP - Paralegal Studies" in Department drop down.)

Introduction to Law

Required

Title: Introduction to Law for Paralegals

Author: Campbell, Currier & Eimermann

ISBN: 9781543858471

Edition: Eighth

Publisher: Aspen, 2023
*Since this book edition was recently published, students can use the seventh edition (ISBN 9781543807783)

 

Legal Writing & Analysis

Required

Title: Harvard Bluebook to the Twenty First Edition

ISBN: 9780578666150

Edition: 21st ed.

Required

Title: Basic Legal Writing for Paralegals

Author: Hope Viner Samborn, Andrea B. Yelin

ISBN: 9781543813807

Edition: Sixth

Publisher: Aspen

 

Legal Research I & II

Required (Digital Access Provided)

              Title: Legal Research in a Nutshell

              Author: Kent C. Olson

              ISBN:  9781636590639

              Edition: Fourteenth

              Publisher: West Academic

 

Evidence

Provided by the Department of Paralegal Studies

 

Professional Ethics

Required

Title: Legal Ethics

Author: Kent D. Kauffman/Erin Rybicki

ISBN-13: 9780357620540

Edition: Fourth

Publisher: Cengage Learning

Civil Procedure

Required

Title: Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures

Author: Goldman & Hughes

ISBN-13: 978-0-13-483104-6

Edition: Fourth

Publisher: Pearson

Law Practice Management

Required

              Title: Law Office Management for Paralegals 

              Author: Laurel A. Vietzen

              ISBN:  9781543813821

              Edition: Fourth

              Publisher: Aspen

E-Discovery

Required

              Title: eDiscovery for the Legal Professional

              Author: Christine Broucek

              ISBN:  978-1-4548-9525-1

              Edition: First (2020)

              Publisher: Aspen

Capstone

Required

              Title: Certified Paralegal Exam Fundamentals

              Author: National Association of Legal Assistants

              ISBN 13: 9780578454863 

              Edition: Second

              Publisher: NALA

*The first edition can be used as well. Addendums/updates located on NALA's website.

 

Summer 2023 Course Materials & Book Lists

Course Name

Required Textbook

Author (s)

ISBN

Publisher

OU Bookstore 

 

 

 

 

Contracts

Basic Contracts Law for Paralegals, Tenth Edition and The Law Simulation Series: Contract Law Access Card

Jeffrey A. Helewitz

See Below

Aspen

Basic Contract Law for Paralegals, Tenth Edition by Jeffrey A. Helewitz, (Individual Book ISBN: 9781543839531);
The Law Simulation Series: Contract Law, (Individual Digital ISBN: 9781454837114). Bundle: 9798886145571

 

 

 

 

 

Business Organizations

No Required Textbooks.

Recommended textbook/materials:

1.  Bouchoux, Deborah E.  (2022).  Business Organizations for Paralegals. 
     Aspen:  9th Edition.  ISBN:  9781543826913 
2.  Oklahoma Statutes (Title 18 and Title 54).  Online at www.oscn.net
3.  Oklahoma Business Organization Forms (Oklahoma Secretary of State).      
     Online at https://www.sos.ok.gov/business/forms.aspx 

 

 

 

 

 

Employment Law

No Required Textbooks.

The instructor will utilize several different sources in discussing course concepts, including the below reference materials:

1. Federal Code. Online at  www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/2000e-2

2. Oklahoma Statutes. Online at www.oscn.net

3. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Online at eeoc.gov

4. United States Department of Labor. Online at www.dol.gov/ 

5. Oklahoma Office of Civil Rights Enforcement. Online at www.ok.gov/oag/About_the_Office/OCRE.html

6. Rassas, L.B. (2023). Employment Law: A Guide to Hiring, Managing, and Firing for Employers and Employees.
    Aspen. New York, NY. ISBN: 9781543858686 (5th Edition)

     

 

 

 

 

 

Oil & Gas Law

None. Digital materials provided.

 

 

 

         
Trusts/Wills Wills and Trusts in a Nutshell. 5th Edition (Digital access provided.) Roert L. Mennell and Sherri Burr ISBN: 9781634604871 West Academic 
         

Creditors Rights

None. Materials provided.

 

 

 

         
Insurance Law None. Materials provided.      
         
Worker's Compensation Required: Workers' Compensation Law. First Edition Neal R. Bevans ISBN:  978-1418013691 Cengage Learning
         
Evidence Provided      
         
Intellectual Property Recommended (not required): Intellectual property : The law of trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets, Sixth edition Deborah Bouchoux          ISBN: 9780357767474 Cengage Learning
         
Family Law Required: Fundamentals of Family Law J. Shoshanna Ehrlich ISBN: 9781543801620 Aspen

Required Courses

Students are required to earn 23 credit hours, including 18 credit hours of required legal specialty courses and 5 credit hours of elective legal specialty courses.

Application Fee: $100
Semester IT Fee: $33.50

   

Course Name

Credit Hours

Tuition

Required Courses:

   

Introduction to Law

1.5

$300

Legal Writing & Analysis

2

$400

Legal Research I & II

1.5

$300

Professional Ethics

1.5

$300

Civil Procedure

2

$400

Evidence

1.5

$300

Law Practice Management

1

$200

Contracts

1.5

$300

Torts

1.5

$300

Criminal Law & Procedure

1.5

$300

Real Property

1.5

$300

Resume Writing & Interviewing

0.5

$100

Capstone

0.5

$300


 

   

Elective Courses:

   

Creditor's Rights

0.5

$100

Business Organizations

0.5

$100

Worker's Compensation

0.5

$100

Insurance Law

0.5

$100

Trusts/Wills

0.5

$100

Intellectual Property

0.5

$100

Employment Law

0.5

$100

Oil and Gas Law

0.5

$100

Family Law 0.5 $100
E-Discovery 0.5 $100

Internship I

1

$200

Internship II

1

$200

General Education Requirements for Completion
In addition to legal specialty courses, students are required to complete 37 hours of general education credits. Most classes taken in the first two years of college will meet the general education requirement. Classes may be taken at any accredited institution of higher learning. General Education Requirements do not need to be completed before beginning courses in the Department of Legal Assistant Education

Required Courses Descriptions

INTRODUCTION TO LAW
1.5 Credit Hours 
Survey of the legal system and the role of the legal assistant. This course is a prerequisite to all other courses and provides the student with a background for the courses which follow in the University of Oklahoma legal-assistant program.

LEGAL WRITING & ANALYSIS
2 Credit Hours
Presentation of guidelines for effective advisory and argumentative writing as applied to pleadings, briefs, legal memorandums, and other types of legal writing. Students will also learn how to brief a case. Students will learn the structure of a legal memorandum. Covers the use of effective writing style and use of Oklahoma legal research materials. It is strongly
recommended that this course be completed in the student’s first semester of study.

LEGAL RESEARCH I & II
1.5 Credit Hours
Covers use of state and federal statutes, court reporters, encyclopedias, annotations, digests, Shepard’s, periodicals, legislative history sources, and administrative law materials. Computer-assisted legal research is also covered. An introduction that familiarizes students with computerized legal research systems. Students will receive training in the effective use of search strategies to enhance their legal research capabilities.

PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
1.5 Credit Hours
(It is recommended that students complete Legal Analysis before taking this course.) Ethics permeate all activities of a lawyer. This course will enable the legal assistant to: (1) identify ethical parameters of the legal profession; (2) research applicable statutes, rules, and case law; and (3) apply that body of law to practical situations. The course also will examine the extent of the legal assistant's ethical responsibility.

RESUME WRITING AND INTERVIEWING
.5 Credit Hours
This course will provide students with information about the job-search process including interview, resume writing and cover letter drafting. Students will learn in detail about job search resources, associations and networking opportunities.

LAW PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
1 Credit Hour 
Course will provide the student with knowledge of the industry (including the legal marketplace, the legal team, personnel relations, and client relations), provide the student with knowledge of how a law office functions (including legal fees, timekeeping, billing, and financial management), and provide the student with essential skills (including law office systems, docket control systems, records management, file management, and law library management).

CIVIL PROCEDURE 
2 Credit Hours
This course will emphasize the selection of a proper forum, analysis of jurisdiction and venue requirements, both state and federal; determination of necessary parties; preparation of pleadings required in civil litigation, including petitions, motions, answers, counterclaims, and set-offs, as well as post-judgment procedures. The course covers preparation for a civil trial. It includes gathering and organizing evidence by investigation and discovery methods and contact with client and parties. Federal and state court discovery methods and organization for effective presentation at trial are studied.

EVIDENCE
1.5 Credit Hours 
Oklahoma and Federal Rules of Evidence will be surveyed in order to familiarize students with the types of evidence which will and will not be admissible in court and objections which may be made during discovery and in pretrial orders to proposed evidence.

CONTRACTS
1.5 Credit Hours 
This course provides students with an overview of the substantive law of contracts.  Discussion topics will include the formation, performance, and available remedies pertaining to contract law.  Students will be introduced to contract drafting. 

REAL PROPERTY 
1.5 Credit Hours
This course is an introduction to real estate law, which includes the study of property rights, types of land ownership, real property descriptions, sale, financing, conveyancing, contracts, liens, mortgages, deeds, recording, settlement concepts, condominiums and cooperatives, leasing, and other property concepts.

TORTS
1.5 Credit Hours 
Includes a survey of the law of torts and the role of the legal assistant in preparation and trial of a personal injury lawsuit. Negligence and other personal injury torts are emphasized. Includes pre-trial preparation, interviewing techniques, preparation and filing of pleadings, use of various discovery methods, preparing witnesses specifically for trial, and the role of the legal assistant at trial.

CRIMINAL LAW & PROCEDURE
1 Credit Hour 
This course will provide students with an understanding of criminal law and procedure from both a practical and theoretical perspective. Time will be spent on obtaining an overview of the constitutional underpinnings of criminal procedure as well as on practical aspects of criminal justice.

CAPSTONE
0.5 Credit Hour
This course will provide an overview of the core subjects taken throughout the program and a culmination project. It will include a discussion of career options and other opportunities available after completing the program to develop continued professional growth.

Elective Courses Descriptions

CREDITORS' RIGHTS
.5 Credit Hours
The debt collection process is discussed, including final judgments and enforcement, prejudgment remedies, statutory liens, bankruptcy, and other elements in the collection process.

 BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
.5 Credit Hours
An overview of the types of basic business organizations and their purposes. The course will cover advantages and disadvantages of each, legal concepts relating to each, terms used in discussing them, and related legal documents that the legal assistant might be expected to create. Topics include the formation and operation of a corporation, sole proprietorship, and general and limited partnership, with emphasis on the corporate entity in Oklahoma.

 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
.5 Credit Hours
The nature of the rights, acquisition and enforcement of, and property and contract interests in, patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.

 EMPLOYMENT LAW
.5 Credit Hours
This course is intended to provide the student with an understanding of current legal issues in the area of employer/employee relations, with coverage of both state and federal laws, including discrimination issues, termination issues, the Family Medical Leave Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Upon completion, the paralegal should be able to interview prospective clients and recognize what legal remedies will be available to them.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION
.5 Credit Hours
This course will provide students with the knowledge and insight necessary to work in the area of Oklahoma workers' compensation law. Focus will be on the filing of forms, preparing medical records and reports, as well as the Workers' Compensation Court.

INSURANCE LAW
.5 Credit Hours
Introduction to insurance law, with emphasis on Oklahoma statutes and cases. Includes recovery of damages for insurance company failure to deal fairly with the insured.

TRUSTS/WILLS
.5 Credit Hours
General introduction to the law of trusts, the establishment of a trust, drafting trust forms, and transferring assets into trust. Introduction to basic law, terminology, history, and development of wills, concepts of distribution, execution, and will contests.

 OIL AND GAS LAW
.5 Credit Hours
Course objective is to study the basic terminology, lease forms and clauses, other forms, and theory of oil and gas law. Includes discussion of both state and federal regulatory agencies.

 FAMILY LAW
.5 Credit Hours
Course objective is to study the basic terminology, lease forms and clauses, other forms, and theory of oil and gas law. Includes discussion of both state and federal regulatory agencies.

 E-DISCOVERY
.5 Credit Hours
An overview of electronically stored information (ESI) and its role in litigation.

 INTERNSHIP I 
1 Credit Hour
The goal of this class is (1) to assist paralegal students in bridging the gap between the classroom and the world of law firms, corporations, public agencies, and organizations; (2) to provide the student with a meaningful, practical experience in a professional setting; (3) to assist the student in clarifying career goals and to assess readiness to enter the legal profession; and (4) and to provide the student an opportunity to refine professional skills.

 INTERNSHIP II
1 Credit Hour
The goal of this class is (1) to assist paralegal students in bridging the gap between the classroom and the world of law firms, corporations, public agencies, and organizations; (2) to provide the student with a meaningful, practical experience in a professional setting; (3) to assist the student in clarifying career goals and to assess readiness to enter the legal profession; and (4) and to provide the student an opportunity to refine professional skills.

Suggested Course of Study (For students who started the program Fall 2020 or later)

  Student Entering in Fall Semester
1st Year  
Fall  Spring  Summer
Introduction to Law Contracts Evidence
Legal Writing & Analysis Resume Writing & 
Interviewing
Elective - Trusts/Wills
Legal Research I & II Real Property Elective - Insurance Law
    Elective - Business Organizations
     
2nd Year  
Fall  Spring  Summer 
Civil Procedure Criminal Law & Procedure Elective -  Creditor's 
Rights
Professional Ethics Torts Elective - Worker's 
Compensation
Law Practice Management Capstone Elective - Oil and Gas Law
E-Discovery   Elective - Family Law
    Elective - Intellectual
 Property
    Elective - Employment Law
     
Students Entering in Spring Semester  
1st Year  
Spring  Summer  Fall 
Introduction to Law Contracts Civil Procedure
Legal Writing & Analysis Elective - Oil and Gas Law Evidence
Legal Research I & II Elective - Creditor's Rights E-Discovery
  Elective - Intellectual Property  
     
     
2nd Year  
Spring  Summer  Fall 
Torts Elective - Trusts/Wills Professional Ethics
Resume Writing & 
Interviewing
Elective - Business Organizations Law Practice Management
Criminal Law & Procedure Elective - Worker's Comp Capstone
Real Property Elective - Insurance Law  
  Elective - Employment Law  
  Elective - Family Law  

Fast Track Course of Study (For students who started the program Fall 2020 or later)

  Fast Track Entering in Fall Semester
1st Year  
Fall  Spring  Summer
Introduction to Law Contracts Evidence
Legal Writing & Analysis Resume Writing & 
Interviewing
Trusts/Wills
Legal Research I & II Criminal Law & Procedure Business 
Organizations
Law Practice Management Torts Creditor's Rights
  Real Property Worker's Compensation
    Oil and Gas Law
    Insurance Law
    Intellectual Property
    Employment Law
    Family Law
     
2nd Year  
Fall     
Civil Procedure    
Professional Ethics    
E-Discovery    
Capstone    
     
Fast Track Entering in Spring Semester  
1st Year  
Spring  Summer  Fall 
Introduction to Law Contracts Civil Procedure
Legal Writing & Analysis Oil and Gas Law Evidence
Legal Research I & II Business 
Organizations
Law Practice Management
Resume Writing Intellectual Property Professional Ethics
  Trusts/Wills E-Discovery
  Creditor's Rights  
  Worker's Compensation  
  Insurance Law  
  Employment Law  
  Family Law  
     
2nd Year  
Spring     
Torts    
Criminal Law & Procedure    
Real Property    
Capstone    

Suggested Course of Study (For students who started the program before Fall 2020)

  Student Entering in Fall Semester
1st Year  
Fall  Spring  Summer
Introduction to Law Legal Writing Evidence
Legal Analysis Contracts Comp Leg Research
Legal Research Resume Writing & 
Interviewing
Elective Trusts/Wills
    Elective - Business 
Organizations
     
2nd Year  
Fall  Spring  Summer 
Civil Procedure Criminal Law Elective -  Creditor's 
Rights
Professional Ethics Torts Elective - Worker's 
Compensation
Law Practice Management Real Property Elective - Oil and Gas Law
    Elective - Insurance Law
    Elective - Intellectual
 Property
    Elective - Employment Law
     
Students Entering in Spring Semester  
1st Year  
Spring  Summer  Fall 
Introduction to Law Contracts Civil Procedure
Legal Analysis Comp Leg Research  Evidence
Legal Research Elective - Oil and Gas Law  
  Elective - Business 
Organizations
 
  Elective - Intellectual Property  
     
2nd Year  
Spring  Summer  Fall 
Legal Writing Real Property Professional Ethics
Torts Elective - Trusts/Wills Law Practice Management
Resume Writing & 
Interviewing
Elective - Creditor's Rights  
Criminal Law Elective - Worker's Comp  
  Elective - Insurance Law  
  Elective - Employment Law  

Fast Track Course of Study (For students who started the program before Fall 2020)

  Fast Track Entering in Fall Semester
1st Year  
Fall  Spring  Summer
Introduction to Law Legal Writing Evidence
Legal Analysis Contracts Comp Leg Research
Legal Research Resume Writing & 
Interviewing
Trusts/Wills
Law Practice Management Criminal Law Business 
Organizations
  Torts Creditor's Rights
  Real Property Worker's Compensation
    Oil and Gas Law
    Insurance Law
    Intellectual Property
    Employment Law
     
2nd Year  
Fall     
Civil Procedure    
Professional Ethics    
     
Fast Track Entering in Spring Semester  
1st Year  
Spring  Summer  Fall 
Introduction to Law Contracts Civil Procedure
Legal Analysis Comp Legal Research  Evidence
Legal Research Oil and Gas Law Law Practice Management
Resume Writing Business 
Organizations
Professional Ethics
  Intellectual Property  
  Trusts/Wills  
  Creditor's Rights  
  Worker's Compensation  
  Insurance Law  
  Employment Law  
     
2nd Year  
Spring     
Legal Writing    
Torts    
Criminal Law    
Real Property    

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