Professional Legal Studies (PLS)
PLS 200 Legal Ethics 3 Hours
Study, analysis and application of codes of professional responsibility and standards of conduct governing the practice of law in state and federal courts.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023
PLS 225 Introduction to Law 3 Hours
Introduction to law, its professions and processes.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023
PLS 250 Legal Research and Writing I 3 Hours
The sources and techniques of performing legal research using primary and secondary authorities in a law library and online and drafting legal documents in appropriate format with correct citations.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; fall 2023
PLS 280 Contract Law 3 Hours
Academic and practical instruction in the law of contracts, with a focus on contract formation, performance and breach.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
PLS 282 Tort Law 3 Hours
Academic and practical instruction in the law of torts, including intentional torts, negligence and strict liability to prepare students for law practice focused on assault/battery, personal injury, professional malpractice and/or property loss claims.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2023
PLS 283 Property Law 3 Hours
Instruction in basic concepts of property law as well as practical application of the law to title examinations, real estate closing transactions and land disputes.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2023
PLS 291 Criminal Law and Procedure 3 Hours
Introduces criminal law and procedure, forms and documents, and all stages of criminal litigation preparation by a paralegal using the systems approach. Emphasizes application of Kentucky law.
Prerequisite(s): PLS 250 (may be taken concurrently)
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023
PLS 294 Administrative Practice and Procedures 3 Hours
Detail laws pertaining to Medicaid, Medicare and related topics, and Kentucky unemployment law. Uses hands-on approach, including mock federal and state administrative hearings.
Prerequisite(s): PLS 250
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
PLS 296 Family Law 3 Hours
This course will involve preparation of various contested and uncontested divorce pleadings to include petition for dissolution of marriage; findings of fact, conclusions of law and decree of dissolution; simple and complex separation agreements; settlement agreements; petitions for temporary custody and change in child support. Preparation of other documents to include petition for adoptions and application for AFDC. In addition, the student will receive instruction regarding skills needed in client interviewing, organization of financial records, answering of interrogatories and request for production of documents and ethical guideline to which a paralegal should adhere.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022
PLS 324 Women and the Law 3 Hours
An examination of treatment of women in, and by, the U.S. legal profession. Survey of landmark cases that have impact specifically on women's legal rights. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SC
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; summer 2021; spring 2022; summer 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023
PLS 350 EVIDENCE 3 Hours
Study and application of rules governing discovery and admission of evidence in state and federal courts and administrative hearings.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022
PLS 360 Debtor Creditor Relations 3 Hours
Study and analysis of the types of debtor/creditor relationships, including how the relationships are developed and maintained and what legal remedies exist when the relationships deteriorate.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
PLS 375 Comparative Legal Systems 3 Hours
Comparative study and analysis of U.S. legal system and those of select foreign countries. Students will be responsible for fees associated with off campus travel as assigned. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-SY
Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; fall 2023
PLS 381 Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods and Practices 3 Hours
Examination and application of various methods of alternative dispute resolution utilized in legal disputes.
Prerequisite(s): PLS 393
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2023
PLS 392 Corporate Law 3 Hours
Examination and analysis of available business forms including formation requirements, tax and liability considerations, and operation and management concerns.
Prerequisite(s): PLS 250
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
PLS 393 Civil Procedure 3 Hours
Examination and application of federal and state rules of procedure governing a civil lawsuit from initial client contact through discovery, trial, and appeal. Coursework will focus on the role and responsibilities of the paralegal in preparing court documents, investigation, client and witness contact, discovery, trial preparation and post-trial proceedings. A mock trial will be concluded.
Prerequisite(s): PLS 250
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022; spring 2023
PLS 395 Estate Planning and Administration 3 Hours
Estate planning and probate practice under Kentucky statutes, including initial steps, asset management and distribution, tax issues, wills and trusts, and drafting related documents required for planning and probate.
Prerequisite(s): PLS 250
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022
PLS 400 Special Topics for Paralegals 1-6 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)
This course is an examination of historical and contemporary special topics in paralegal studies. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation for off campus travel as assigned.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023
PLS 450 Legal Research and Writing II 3 Hours
The sources and techniques of performing online, independent legal research, critical analysis of fact and law, legal argument development and drafting advanced legal documents.
Prerequisite(s): PLS 250
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022; spring 2023
PLS 499 Internship in Paralegal Studies 3 Hours
Students must document a minimum number of hours of practical experience in an external legal setting under an attorney's supervision. Note: Permission of program advisor and advanced registration required.
Prerequisite(s): PLS 250 and PLS 393 and PLS 450 (may be taken concurrently)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; summer 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023