Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025
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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; fall 2024

PLS 225    Introduction to Law    3 Hours

Introduction to law, its professions and processes.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024

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 2022; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024

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: fall 2024

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; spring 2024

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 2022; summer 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; spring 2024

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; fall 2024

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 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024

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 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: spring 2024

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 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024

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: fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024

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 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024

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 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024