- Cultures and Civilizations: Option A: Western Humanities I and II and and one approved Non-Western Cultures and Civilizations course OR Option B: World Civilization I, II, III (9 hours total)
- Behavioral and Social Sciences: Two approved behavioral or social science courses in two different disciplines (6 hours)
Major and Related Courses
- Legal Assistant Studies Core Courses (27 hours) including LAS 101, 210, 235, 360, 390, 435, 470, 471
- Computer Science 110
- Completion of one of the following concentrations:
2430 - Legal Assistant Studies
- 12 hours from Legal Assistant Studies 170, 199r, 220, 225, 230, 240, 245, 250, 300, 325, 350, 400, 401, 406, 410, 420, 497r, 498r, 499 with at least 6 hours at the 300-400 level; and
- 12 hours from the following with at least 6 hours at the 300-400 level and no more than six hours from any one discipline: Political Science 221, 321, 322, 323, 421; Criminal Justice 325, 430, 460; Business Accounting 201, 202, 307, 335, 336; English 277; Environmental Sciences 410; Philosophy 425, or 3 hours from an LAS-related course as approved by the Coordinator.
- 2.0 average overall, 2.0 UTC average and 2.5 average in Legal Assistant Studies courses.
- Minimum of 15 hours LAS courses at UTC.
- Minimum of 39 hours of 300 and 400 level courses.
- Electives to complete 120 hours.
- Additional requirements.
2435 - Legal Assistant Studies:
- Social Sciences
- One course from PANM 205#, Psychology 201/204# or Sociology 250#
- One course from Sociology 314 or Criminal Justice 311;
- Psychology 401 and 425;
- Criminal Justice 325;
- Business Accounting 201;
- Psychology 202;
- Six (6) hours from Legal Assistant Studies 170, 220, 225, 230, 240, 245, 250, 300, 325, 350, 400, 401, 406, 410, 420
- 2.0 average overall, 2.0 UTC average and 2.5 average in Legal Assistant Studies courses.
- Minimum of 15 hours LAS courses at UTC.
- Minimum of 39 hours of 300 and 400 level courses.
- Electives to complete 120 hours.
- Additional requirements.
#Also satisfies general education requirement.
LEGAL ASSISTANT STUDIES MINOR
18 hours including Legal Assistant Studies 101 and 210, and 12 hours of legal assistant studies electives (excluding LAS 401, 470, 480, 497, and 498). At least nine (9) of the 12 hours must be at the 300-400 level.
Minimum 2.0 average required in all courses attempted for the minor.
LEGAL ASSISTANT STUDIES COURSES (LAS)
001 Legal Assistant Professional Experience (0)
Registered course for no credit to acknowledge employment as a full time legal assistant for at least one year in the past five years.
101 Law and The Legal Assistant (3)
Introduction to the study of law and the legal system the legal assistant in the legal system; an overview of the skills of the legal assistant including legal interviewing, investigating and professional ethics. Fall semester.
170 Introduction to Criminal Law (3)
An overview of both substantive and procedural law related to the definitions, investigations, processing and punishment of crimes, providing students with an overall understanding of the articulation between law and the criminal justice system. It also reviews the historical foundations of criminal law, elements of crime, purposes and functions of law, limits of the law, and the function of law in American society. Formerly Criminal Justice 170.
199r Special Projects (1-4)
Individual or group projects. Every semester. Prerequisites: approval of instructor.
210 Legal Research and Writing (3)
Introduction to primary and secondary legal sources including federal and state court reports; legal digests and Shepard's annotated law reports; federal administrative law; legal periodicals with indices; treatises and restatements; and research aids. Fall semester.
220 Real Property Law (3)
Review of substantive law relating to real estate transactions. On demand.
225 Commercial Law (3)
Introduction to the execution, validity and enforcement of contracts, mortgages, pledge assignments and other security devices. Overview of federal and state law regulating consumer credit and collection procedures. On demand.
230 Estate and Trust Law (3)
Introduction of Tennessee substantive law of successions and dominions, including wills and estate administration. On demand.
235 Litigation I (3)
Introduction and analysis of the litigation process in federal and state courts. Lectures are supplemented with drafting practice. Fall semester.
240 Business Organizations (3)
Analysis of sole proprietorship, partnerships and corporations from a legal perspective. On demand.
245 Family Law (3)
Review of substantive law relating to marriage, children and property. On demand.
250 Personal Injury Practice (3)
An examination of tort, worker’s compensation and insurance law as it relates to personal injury. On demand. Prerequisite: LAS 210.
300 Interviewing and Investigation (3)
An in-depth study of principles, methods and investigative techniques utilized to locate, gather, document and disseminate information The emphasis will be on developing interviewing and investigating skills intended to prepare the legal assistant to communicate effectively. On demand.
325 Legal Aspects of Non-Profit Management (3)
The course examines the emerging legal issues facing nonprofit agencies by studying pertinent constitutional, statutory and case law. Moreover, students will be exposed to case studies to assist them in connecting law and agency practice. Fall Semester. May also be registered as PANM 325. No credit for both LAS 325 and PANM 325.
350 Law of Evidence (3)
Introduction to the law of evidence in Federal and State (Tennessee) Courts including the purpose and construction; burden of proof; admissibility and presumptions; relevancy; privileges and hearsay. On demand. Prerequisite: LAS 235.
360 Law Office Management and Computer Applications (3)
A study of the techniques and approaches for the efficient operation of a law office through the utilization of computer software programs. Fall semester. Prerequisites: LAS 101 and Computer Science 110.
390 Advanced Legal Research and Writing (3)
Utilization of traditional and computerized legal research methods in written assignments. Emphasis is on the analysis of fact situations, methods of effective research and use of legal materials in working practical problems; examination of basic and advanced search techniques using the major legal databases Lexis and Westlaw. Spring semester. Prerequisites: LAS 210 and Computer Science 110.
