PARALEGAL STUDIES

The Department of Political Science oversees a Certificate in Paralegal Studies, which can be taken either for credit or on a non-credit basis. To earn the Certificate, students must complete nine courses (27 credit hours) as shown below, with a grade of C or better in each course.  Of the 10 paralegal courses needed for the certificate (9 required courses + Intro to Law prerequisite), at least 6, or a majority of courses, must be completed at IUPUI.

Prerequisites:

  • College-level writing proficiency (you should have completed ENG W131 - Elementary Composition I, or its equivalent).
  • Computing proficiency (you should have completed a computing course, such as CSCI N100 - Introduction to Computers and Computing, or CIT 106 - Using a Personal Computer).
  • POLS Y211 - Introduction to Law. You should take this either before beginning the Certificate, or in your first semester.

Required Courses (9 cr.):

  • POLS Y221 - Legal Research & Writing for Paralegal Studies I (3 cr.)
  • POLS Y222 - Litigation for Paralegal Studies I (3 cr.)
  • PHIL P222 - Legal Ethics (3 cr.)

Elective Courses (18 cr.)*. Choose six of the following:

  • POLS Y223 - Litigation for Paralegal Studies II (3 cr.)
  • POLS Y224 - Property Law for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
  • POLS Y225 - Contract Law for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
  • POLS Y226 - Tort Law for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
  • POLS Y227 - Criminal Law for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
  • POLS Y228 - Family Law for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
  • POLS Y229 - Estate Law for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
  • POLS Y230 - Bankruptcy Law for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
  • POLS Y231 - Advanced Legal Writing for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
  • BUS L203 - Commercial Law I (3 cr.)**
  • BUS L303 - Commercial Law II (3 cr.)***

(Permission is currently being sought to offer three new courses, which will be added to the schedule in 2008. They are Y232: Professional Responsibility for Paralegals, Y233: Business Associations for Paralegals, and Y485: Field Experience in Paralegal Studies.)

* Y211 and Y221 are prerequisites for most of these courses (see Schedule of Classes or OneStart for details). This does not stop you taking these classes before - or at the same time as - you take Y211 and Y221, but instructors in these elective courses will assume that you have the skills taught in Y211/221.

** The School of Business requires sophomore class standing before students can enroll in L203.

*** The School of Business requires junior class standing before students can enroll in L303.

Note : If you have already taken a course which you believe covers similar ground to any of the above, and would like to have that course substituted, you may petition the Department. You will need to provide a syllabus of the course.

ADMISSIONS

If you are already an IUPUI student, you only need to complete a one page form in the Liberal Arts Student Affairs Office (Cavanaugh Hall 401), and then register for and complete the necessary coursework. Once you have completed all the courses, contact the secretary of the Department, who will inform the Registrar.

If you have never been admitted to IUPUI and do not hold an undergraduate degree, you will need to file for admission with the IUPUI Enrollment Center. Applications can be picked up from their office in Cavanaugh Hall, or ordered by phone at 317-274 4591, or submitted electronically at Enrollment Center. Once you are admitted to IUPUI, you can register for and begin classes in the certificate program.

If you already hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, you can file for admission to the certificate through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Their phone number is 317-274 4591, or you can visit their Web site.

INTERNSHIPS

At the end of their course work, students may also complete a 140-hour paralegal internship.  This can count as one of the six elective courses, you may take the internship as Y481 Field Experience in Political Science. Under the old rules for the certificate, this was required - it is no longer required, but for those seeking a job as a paralegal, an internship can be a very helpful way of learning on the job, and making useful contacts with potential employers. For more information, we have a leaflet describing the Internship Program. To apply for an internship please contact Paralegal Studies Director Bryan R. Reed at 317-278-0442 or Prof. Bill Blomquist at 317-274-7547.

PARALEGAL STUDENT ORGANIZATION & LISTSERV

The department of Political Science sponsors a student organization for Paralegal Studies. During the fall and summer sessions the organization holds monthly meetings. Issues discussed include internship and volunteer opportunities in addition to guest speakers from organizations such as the Indiana Paralegal Association. In the future we hope to help interested students attend some of the national paralegal organization conferences. Contact Amy McClellan at amymclellan76@hotmail.com at for further information.

The department also sponsors a Paralegal Studies Listserv. This listserv sends emails about internships and events pertinent to paralegal students including the student association meetings. To be added to the listserv contact Bryan R. Reed at 317-278-0442 or Cavanaugh Hall Room 504E, with your email address.

COURSES AND INSTRUCTORS

For information on courses on offer in upcoming semesters, click here. To find out more about the instructors for our courses, click here.

If you are interested in teaching courses for us on a part-time basis, please send an e-mail to department chair John McCormick, listing the courses you would be most interested in teaching, and attaching your current CV.

ADVISING

For more information on the program, and for advising help, contact Paralegal Studies Director Bryan R. Reed in Political Science (317-278 0442), or Prof. Bill Blomquist in Political Science (317-274 7547).

STUDENT COMPLAINT PROCEDURE

If you have a concern or a complaint about a faculty member, there is a procedure to follow. First, you should talk with the faculty member and try and resolve the concern directly. If this does not work, then you should contact the chair of the department and arrange a meeting, or present your concerns, with all relevant supporting material. The chair will then investigate and let you know the outcome. If this is still not to your satisfaction, then you can take your concerns to the Associate Dean of Students of the School of Liberal Arts (currently Prof. Richard Ward). Under no circumstances should you contact the administration of the school or the university unless you have completed all earlier steps. 

COMMUNITY LEARNING NETWORK

The Certificate program is run in conjunction with the IUPUI Community Learning Network; for more information, visit their Home page.

COMPLETING YOUR CERTIFICATE

Note: In order to receive your certificate once you have completed the course of study, it is critical that you advise the Political Science secretary as soon as possible. Any delay in advising her will result in a delay in the completion of your certificate.

JOBS FOR PARALEGALS

IUPUI has a Career Center which can help students find positions as a paralegal, and which can put employers in touch with students in the certificate program. During regular semesters the Center is open Monday-Tuesday 8am-8pm, and Wednesday-Friday 8am-5pm. Walk-in hours are Monday-Thursday 9am-noon and 1-4pm, but we recommend that you phone ahead to make arrangements, at 317-274 2554.

If your are a student, you can register online, or you can visit the Center to talk about the job search experience, to file your resume, and to talk about resume preparation and other issues.

If you are an employer, contact the Career Center to list your jobs, and take part in Job Fairs.

Information on the job market in Indiana is also available through the Indiana Paralegal Association (see below).

THE PARALEGAL PROFESSION

The roles and responsibilities of paralegals are constantly evolving. You can read about what paralegals do in various areas of the law by going to the National Federation of Paralegal Associations Web site. Click on the "Profession Development" tab, scroll down to "Roles and Responsibilities", and click on "Paralegal Professional Responsibilities". This takes you to the Paralegal Responsibility Handbook, which can be ordered online or printed from the Web (but be warned that it is 63 pages long!).

One of the best sources of information on the paralegal profession in Indiana is the Indiana Paralegal Association, which publishes a monthly newsletter called The Precedent. Students in the Paralegal Studies program must join the IPA in order to receive The Precedent - dues are $40 per year, which includes a subscription to the National Paralegal Reporter published by the NFPA, to which the IPA belongs. The IPA can be contacted by regular mail at P O Box 44518, Indianapolis, IN 46204, or by e-mail.

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