Practicum Specialty – Paralegal/Legal Assistant Syllabus for 2021-2022
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Instructor Information

Phone

Office Location

<p>BYRD 323E</p>

Office Hours

MONDAY:  11:00 AM-1:00 PM

TUESDAY:  11:00 AM-1:00 PM

THURSDAY:  9:00 AM- 10:30 AM

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

LGLA-2366-001 Practicum Specialty – Paralegal/Legal Assistant

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 21 hours of major courses or department chair consent

Course Description

Practical, general workplace training supported by an individualized learning plan developed by the employer, college and student. A practicum may be a paid or unpaid learning experience.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 30 hrs practicum)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

None

Supplies

Student Performance

PERFORMANCE/LEARNING OBJECTIVES (MINIMUM COMPETENCIES):

After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the Paralegal Studies program:

 

  1. Complete internship training under the supervision of a practicing paralegal/attorney and a Paralegal Studies instructor/coordinator.  

 

  1. Complete job-related learning objectives as assigned for each evaluation period.   

 

Submit a typewritten narrative summarizing the internship experience including such things as a diary, new terminology encountered, new experiences, and activities/processes/procedures learned.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

OBJECTIVES AND GOALS OF COURSE:   As outlined in the learning plan, the student will master the theory, concepts, and skills involving the tools, materials, equipment, procedures, regulations, laws, and interactions within and among political, economic, environmental, and legal systems associated with the workplace; demonstrate ethical behavior, safety practices, interpersonal and teamwork skills, appropriate verbal and written communications in the workplace.

 

PERFORMANCE/LEARNING OBJECTIVES (MINIMUM COMPETENCIES):

After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the Paralegal Studies program:

 

  1. Complete internship training under the supervision of a practicing paralegal/attorney and a Paralegal Studies instructor/coordinator.  

 

  1. Complete job-related learning objectives as assigned for each evaluation period.   

 

Submit a typewritten narrative summarizing the internship experience including such things as a diary, new terminology encountered, new experiences, and activities/processes/procedures learned.

Grading Criteria

C is the minimum grade required for all Paralegal Studies majors

The final grade will be awarded as follows:

  • 90% to 100%  =   A
  • 80% to 89%    =   B
  • 70% to 79%    =   C*
  • 60% to 69%    =   D
  • Below 60%     =   F

Attendance

Calendar

Additional Information

ASSIGNMENTS

GOALSETTING:  Due 9/5 by 11:45 p.m.  15%

NARRATIVES:  Each month, you will be required to complete a 1 page paper, typed, double spaced, indicating the following:

  1.  How is your internship/job in a law office going? How are you progressing towards the goals that you set?
  2. What have been your day-to-day job duties?
  3. What documents have you drafted?
  4. Any new terminology that you learned during the reporting period?
  5. What, if any, ethical issues have you faced and how did you handle it?

The due date for these assignments are:

SEPTEMBER 25 by 11:45 p.m.                                20%

OCTOBER 25  by 11:45 p.m.                                   20%

NOVEMBER 18  by 11:45 p.m.                                 20%

Employer Evaluation DUE DECEMBER 8                 25%

Late papers will be deducted 10 points.

 

Syllabus Created on:

01/18/21 10:22 PM

Last Edited on:

08/22/21 10:01 PM