Advance Your Career with a Paralegal & Legal Studies AAS Degree
Looking for a flexible, high-demand career in the legal field? The Paralegal & Legal Studies AAS Degree at Iowa Lakes provides comprehensive, fully online training to prepare you for diverse opportunities in law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, and more.
In just two years, you’ll develop critical legal skills in research, case analysis, legal writing, and ethics, ensuring you are job-ready upon graduation. The program covers legal terminology, contracts, family law, litigation procedures, and law office management, equipping you with the knowledge and practical skills needed to support attorneys and assist in legal proceedings.
Iowa Lakes’ flexible online format allows students to balance their education with work and personal commitments, making it accessible to students nationwide. Plus, a required internship/practicum provides real-world experience, ensuring graduates enter the workforce with practical legal training and professional connections.
With a growing need for paralegals and legal assistants, this degree provides a path to a stable and rewarding career in the legal field.
Explore career opportunities and salary projections through the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Paralegal Outlook.
Program Update
This program is not currently accepting students for this program. Please check back for future enrollment opportunities.
Find Your It!
Prepare for your legal career at Iowa Lakes!
Gain Practical Skills in Legal Studies
The Paralegal & Legal Studies AAS program at Iowa Lakes provides students with in-depth training in:
- Legal Research & Writing – Learn to analyze case law, interpret statutes, and draft legal documents
- Litigation & Court Procedures – Understand the legal process from filing motions to trial preparation
- Law Office Management – Develop skills in billing, scheduling, document preparation, and legal software
- Ethics & Professional Responsibility – Study the ethical considerations and regulations governing the legal profession
Internship Experience & Workforce Readiness
Employers seek trained paralegals with real-world experience, and Iowa Lakes ensures students gain valuable, hands-on learning through an internship/practicum. This opportunity allows students to:
- Work in law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies
- Apply classroom knowledge to real legal cases and document preparation
- Develop professional connections and gain industry experience
Program Details
Length
5 terms
Degree
Associate in Applied Science (70 credits)
Campus
100% Online
Training
Internship/Practicum
Additional Information
Term 1
CSC 110 – Intro to Computers
CSC-110 is an introductory course that surveys a variety of topics to include history, hardware, software, terminology, communications, computer ethics, and societal impact of computers. In addition to computer literacy, students will complete hands-on modules using operating systems, word processing, database, presentation, and spreadsheet software; such as Microsoft Office programs.
ENG 105 – Composition I
Emphasis on expository and argumentative writings including a review of usage and mechanics.
Prerequisites: Satisfactory score on the ACT, Accuplacer, ASSET, COMPASS as determined by Iowa Lakes policy
LGL 120 – Intro to Law & Paralegal
An introduction to the legal profession, with special emphasis on the responsibilities of the paralegal. Students will learn the core skills required of paralegals, including verbal and written communication, critical thinking and analytical reasoning, and investigation and case management.
LGL 122 – Legal Ethics
This course will introduce students to the types of ethical dilemmas that they will face in the law office setting; generally to the ethical rules developed by the American Bar Association, to the rules adopted by this jurisdiction for the regulation of attorney and paralegal conduct, to the model codes of paralegal associations; and to methods for researching the answers to ethical dilemmas.
LGL 230 – Criminal Law & Procedure
Examination of the more common crimes, criminal defenses and the procedures used to process a criminal case from arrest to final disposition.
LGL 250 – Family Law
Study of law and procedures relative to marriage, dissolution and adoption.
Term 2
ENG 106 – Composition II
Continuation of ENG 105 with emphasis on research and documentation as well as literary analysis.
Prerequisites: ENG 105 – Composition I
LGL 121 – Law Office Software
This course introduces the fundamentals of how to use computer technology to accomplish tasks performed by paralegals in a law office.
LGL 154 – Legal Research
This course introduces students to various print and electronic legal research media, with a heightened focus on state of Iowa and federal statutory and case law. Students will learn how to carry out legal research assignments using both primary and secondary resources. The methods of updating and expanding research and how to properly cite legal sources in memoranda and other documents will also be presented. Print and electronic methods for finding legal authority will be utilized.
Prerequisites: ENG 105 – Composition I – C or Better
LGL 180 – Torts and Litigation
A study of tort law, including negligent, intentional, and strict liability torts. Students will learn how to draft pleadings, discovery requests, and pretrial documents in tort cases.
LGL 210 – Contract Law
This course surveys the basic principles of contract law, including capacity, formation, conditions, enforcement, statute of frauds, performance and breach, remedies, defenses, and third-party rights. Portions of the Uniform Commercial Code relating to contracts for the sale of goods will also be discussed. The role of the paralegal in gathering information, researching, and drafting contract documents is emphasized throughout.
SPC 101 – Fundamentals of Oral Communication†
The fundamentals course develops the basic skills involved in a variety of communication situations, including oral presentations and interpersonal speaking. Emphasis is placed on organization, audience analysis, vocal and physical delivery, listening, nonverbal communication, critical thinking, and methods of dealing with communication apprehension through class discussion and activities.
Term 3
ACC 261 – Income Tax Accounting
Introduces the general theory and procedures pertaining to state and federal taxation. Studies application of laws as they pertain to income of individuals and sole proprietorships, gifts, estates and Social Security.
BUS 185 – Business Law I
Business Law 1 is an introduction to Business Law in the areas of legal environment of business, contract law, contracts for the sale of goods (UCC) and real and personal property law.
LGL 140 – Wills, Trusts and Estate Admin
A study of wills, trusts, probate procedures, estate administration taxes, and testate and intestate succession. Students will learn how to draft basic wills, trusts, and advance health care directives. Students will also learn how to administer a typical estate.
LGL 161 – Legal Writing
In this course, students will utilize and apply the research skills developed in Legal Research (LGL 154), to research and draft opinion letters and other types of legal correspondence, an objective interoffice memorandum, and a persuasive motion brief. Appellate briefs will also be introduced. A foundational aspect of the course will be developing students’ legal reasoning skills.
Prerequisites: LGL 154 – Legal Research
Choose either ACC 261 or BUS 185
Math: 3 credits
Humanities: 3 credits
Social Science: 3 credits
Term 4
BUS 250 – Principles of Real Estate
Fundamental principles of real estate evaluation, brokerage, financing structure, construction and real estate law.
LGL 200 – American Trial Process
A study of the American trial process. Students will research, prepare and present a hypothetical case to a judge and jury.
LGL 205 – Employment Law
Study of what law applies to the Employment setting. Introduction to Employment Discrimination, Whistleblower Protection, Wage and Hours laws, Sexual Harassment, Worker’s Compensation, Employer Tort Liability, Unemployment Insurance, and liability issues arising under OSHA, ERISA and other Federal Statutes.
ACC 131 – Principles of Accounting I
The course examines the accounting methods, principles and terminology needed in the preparation and analysis of financial statements. Included is a study of partnership accounting.
ACC 261 – Income Tax Accounting
Introduces the general theory and procedures pertaining to state and federal taxation. Studies application of laws as they pertain to income of individuals and sole proprietorships, gifts, estates and Social Security.
LGL 242 – Civil Procedure & Practice
Introduces students to the various practice rules of procedure in the civil court system, and the role of a paralegal at every stage of pre-trial litigation. The rules of civil procedure and evidence at both the state and federal level will be emphasized. Topics covered include initial client contact, interviewing, investigation and identification of claims and issues, initiating and responding to the lawsuit, the discovery process, settlement, trial preparation, and preparation and filing of appropriate litigation documents.
Choose either LGL 200, LGL 205, ACC 131, or ACC 261
Science: 4 credits
Social Science: 3 credits
Term 5
LGL 942 – Paralegal Practicum
Supervised work experience in a law office, legal services office, or other law-related agency.
The Practicum can also be completed in Term 4.
General Education & Program Learning Outcomes
In the Paralegal & Legal Studies program at Iowa Lakes, you will learn how to:1
- Analyze case law and statues to apply legal principles to factual situations.
- Communicate effectively through client interviews and telephone and written correspondence with attorneys, clients, witnesses and court personnel.
- Execute a research plan by locating both print and electronic sources of case law, statues, administrative regulations and constitutional provisions.
- Draft demand letters, pleadings, legal memoranda, and legal forms utilizing appropriate legal theories and applying to factual situations with correct citations.
- Ethically perform the duties of a paralegal.
- Perform law office management functions, such as billing, docketing systems, conflict checks and e-filing court documents.
1The What You’ll Learn section of our website provides a description of Learning Outcomes for students who successfully complete all requirements for obtaining a Paralegal & Legal Studies Associate in Applied Science degree from Iowa Lakes Community College.
† indicates a course that fulfills the diversity requirement. This course may also fulfill another general AA requirement.
Hands-On
Training
Career-Ready
Day One
Opportunities, Earnings & Growth
Projected Employment Growth
1.4%
Potential Careers
Licensing Examiner/Inspector, Judicial Law Clerk, Paralegal & Legal Assistant, Court Reporter, Court Clerk, Title Examiner/Abstractor/Searcher, Legal Secretary
Projected Earnings
Iowa Workforce
$59,612
Average Salary
US Bureau of Labor
$66,460
Average Salary
START YOUR LAKER JOURNEY IN 4 STEPS!
Questions? Let's Talk
 |
Andrea Japenga Academic Advisor 712-852-5241 | ajapenga@iowalakes.edu |