Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Moving Lives Forward. Choose Nunez.

Paralegal (PARL)

PARL 1000 — Intro to Law and the Para Prof   3 credit hours

This course presents a general overview of the legal system in the United States. It contains a special unit on legal ethics for paralegals. The course also focuses on the various opportunities in the legal field and the necessary skills to obtain employment in the field.

Schedule type: Externship, Independent Study, Lecture, Practicum, Web

PARL 1050 — Litigation   3 credit hours

This course presents an overview of civil litigation. It places special emphasis on the discovery component. It also covers selected portions of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure.

Schedule type: Externship, Independent Study, Lecture, Practicum, Web

PARL 1100 — Legal Research   3 credit hours

This course introduces the fundamental skills necessary to research legal issues. Students learn to use the law library resources effectively as well as the computerized research engine WESTLAW. An assigned research paper is a course requirement.

Schedule type: Externship, Independent Study, Lecture, Practicum, Web

PARL 1200 — Business Associations   3 credit hours

This course serves as an introduction to various business entities and the laws that structure them. Among the topics covered are sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, Subchapter “S” corporations, and unincorporated associations. Students draft partnership agreements, articles of incorporation, and related documents.

Schedule type: Externship, Independent Study, Lecture, Practicum, Web

PARL 1300 — Legal Ethics   3 credit hours

This course introduces students to the study of legal ethics. It will focus on the concept of "ethics" and "being ethical." Students will research, read and study the rules of professional responsibility that pertain to paralegals (and lawyers) in our state.

Schedule type: Independent Study, Lecture, Web

PARL 1500 — Constitutional Law   3 credit hours

This course is designed to introduce students to the underlying political structure of the American judiciary and to explore the political and legal foundations for constitutional law in the American political system.

Schedule type: Independent Study, Lecture, Web

PARL 2000 — Case Analysis and Writing   3 credit hours

This course emphasizes the proper analysis of current case law and effective legal writing. Students are required to do research projects, draft legal memoranda, write opinion letters and prepare transaction documents.

Pre-requisite(s): PARL 1000

Schedule type: Externship, Independent Study, Lecture, Practicum, Web

PARL 2050 — Evidence   3 credit hours

This course introduces students to the federal and state rules of evidence and their applicability to civil and criminal litigation. It includes recent developments and current case law dealing with evidentiary issues.

Pre-requisite(s): PARL 1000

Schedule type: Externship, Independent Study, Lecture, Practicum, Web

PARL 2100 — The Law of Torts and Prod Liab   3 credit hours

This course introduces students to the general law of tort liability. It examines the topics of intentional torts, negligence, strict liability, and products liability through selected case law.

Pre-requisite(s): PARL 1000

Schedule type: Externship, Independent Study, Lecture, Web

PARL 2150 — Insurance Law   3 credit hours

This course presents an overview of Insurance law in Louisiana, concentrating on state jurisprudence and statutory law. The specific topics it includes are the Direct Action Statute, Automobile Liability Insurance, Commercial Liability Policies, Life Insurance, Health and Accident Insurance, and Property Insurance.

Pre-requisite(s): PARL 1000

Schedule type: Externship, Independent Study, Lecture, Practicum, Web

PARL 2200 — Contracts   3 credit hours

This course introduces the general principles of contract law. It also examines the specific Louisiana law on contracts contained in the Obligations section of the Louisiana Civil Code.

Pre-requisite(s): PARL 1000

Schedule type: Independent Study, Lecture, Web

PARL 2250 — Criminal Procedure   3 credit hours

This course focuses on the major issues in American criminal procedure. It covers recent developments in U.S. and Louisiana case law. It also examines selected portions of the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure.

Pre-requisite(s): PARL 1000

Schedule type: Independent Study, Lecture, Web

PARL 2300 — Domestic Law and Litigation   3 credit hours

This course focuses on the current case law involving marriage, divorce, and community property regimes. It also covers the ancillary topics of child support, alimony, custody and visitation.

Pre-requisite(s): PARL 1000

Schedule type: Externship, Independent Study, Lecture, Practicum, Web

PARL 2350 — Special Topics: Discovery   3 credit hours

This course allows students and graduates to pursue special topics of interest in the legal field. It is offered as opportunity and need arise. With the approval of the Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, this course may be repeated for credit and applied to the degree if the repeated course is on a different topic. May be used as: Special Topics: Notary Prep or Special Topics: Discovery

Schedule type: Lecture, Web

PARL 2400 — Legal Drafting   3 credit hours

This course is an introduction to the skills essential to the effective identification and drafting of legal documents. Students will learn to draft such legal documents as Last Will and Testaments, Divorce and Successions. Completion of this course will result in a professional portfolio showcasing the student's legal writing skills, which can be used for interviewing purposes and everyday job performance. Pre-requisite: PARL 1100

Pre-requisite(s): PARL 1100

Schedule type: Independent Study, Lecture, Web

PARL 2500 — Paralegal Practicum   3 credit hours

This course presents an opportunity for students to work in one of the many different areas open to paralegals. Students are placed with area law firms and government offices, which provide them exposure to real-life paralegal work experiences prior to embarking on a career as a paralegal or legal assistant.

Schedule type: Externship, Independent Study, Practicum, Web

PARL 2600 — Notary Public Law & Prep   3 credit hours

This course introduces, explains, summarizes and amplifies the text: Fundamentals of Louisiana Notarial Law and Practice, which is the Louisiana Notary Public Examination Official Study Guide. Topics covered will include the role of the Notary Public in Louisiana and other civil law jurisdictions; Civil Code Concepts; and Notarial Practice, as outlined in the text.

Schedule type: Lecture, Web