Sample Course Syllabus

Paralegal Internship I:  (PGL 2020)
Paralegal Internship II: (PLG 2021)

Instructor:              Daphne A. Morris, B.A., J.D.

                              Assistant Professor, Department of Business, Economics, and Legal Studies

Office:                   BU 404

Office Hours:        Fall Semester – see the Instructor’s web site

                              Spring Semester – see the Instructor’s web site

                              Summer Session – by appointment

E-Mail:                   DaphneM@csmd.edu

Web Site:              http://www.itc.csmd.edu/bus/daphneM/index.htm

Office Phone        301.934.7601 or 800.933.9177, extension 7601

& Voice Mail:         (During the Fall and Spring semesters, phone messages are returned during office hours.  Summer Session students should contact the instructor at home with the number provided in a separate email)

Department Fax:   301.934.7692 (Write my name on your cover sheet)

Mailing Address:   Daphne A. Morris, BUS Dept., P.O. Box 910, La Plata, MD 20646

Section(s):             PGL 2020 – Paralegal Internship I

                              PGL 2021 – Paralegal Internship II

Credit Hours:         Three (3)

Prerequisites:       

1. PGL 1210, Legal Research, and
2. BAD 1330, Microcomputer Software Applications for Business, and
3. PGL 1041, Legal Ethics and Law Office Management, and
4. 15 additional credits earned toward associates degree in Paralegal Studies; and
5. Approval by Department Chair

Internships are a form of cooperative education.  Cooperative education allows students to combine academic study with on-the-job experience.  The major objective of cooperative education is the application of classroom theory in a work environment.  These courses are specifically designed for students who are pursuing the Paralegal Studies A.A.S. degree.

NOTE:  Cooperative education is primarily an academic program.  Academic credit is granted for the new learning that occurs while you are working, not just for the work you perform.

1. Cooperative students must complete 150 hours at jobs related to their program of study.
2. The student will:
   • Apply and reinforce classroom theory, such as knowledge of the judicial system, legal writing, legal resources, legal documents, legal ethics, and law office management, in the work environment under the ultimate supervision of one or more attorneys.
   • Utilize legal writing and research skills by preparing one or more research assignments pertinent to the co-op position.
   • Gain practical on-the-job experience in a legal environment (such as a private attorneys’ office, governmental agency, real estate office, or insurance firm).
   • Satisfactorily complete co-op work assigned by the employer.
   • Understand and appreciate the need for continued career development throughout one’s career
   • Increase self-awareness and capabilities while developing maturity and encouraging self-reliance.
3. In addition, the student will develop 3 to 6 individualized learning objectives with the help of the faculty advisor and the work supervisor.  These learning objectives are included on the Training Plan

There are no required textbooks.  However, the following documents are required:

• CSM Cooperative Education Student Guide (available on the web or Career Services)
• Cooperative Education Agreement
• Cooperative Education Training Plan
• Student’s Time Sheet(s)
• Cooperative Education Performance Evaluation (Supervisor Evaluation)
• Student Evaluation
• Academic Evaluation

These documents are available from the instructor; they can also be downloaded from the instructor’s website.

The student will be graded on a pass/fail basis.  To pass, the student must complete the following assignments to a level deemed acceptable by the faculty advisor.  The Academic Evaluation form, attached below, details the grading process

1. Complete and submit the Cooperative Education Agreement
2. Develop a training plan, including 3 to 6 individualized learning objectives, with your employer and faculty advisor.
3. Submit the Cooperative Education Training Plan
4. Meet with your faculty advisor pursuant to your Training Plan.
5. Work a minimum of 225 hours.
6. Satisfactorily complete work assignments.
7. Be prepared for job site visits pursuant to your Training Plan.
8. Maintain weekly time sheets.
9. Complete the assigned project or projects (as detailed in your Training Plan).    
10. Complete a Project Notebook.

College of Southern Maryland

Cooperative Education

ACADEMIC EVALUATION - PARALEGAL INTERSHIP AND COOPERATIVE

Faculty Advisor:	Daphne A. Morris	Semester
Student Name:		Section:
Email:		Course:   PGL 2020               PGL 2910   PGL 2021               PGL 2920
Work Phone:
Supervisor:		Supervisor Phone:

ACADEMIC SUPERVISION (Date and methods used to monitor student’s progress):

                              Meeting with College Advisor (ACS) or PGL Faculty

                              Approval by Department Chair (section added)

                              Student registers

                              Orientation Session with Faculty Advisor

                              Student submits completed/signed Cooperative Education Agreement to Faculty Advisor

                              Student submits draft Training Plan (with learning objectives) to Faculty Advisor

                              Faculty Advisor & Student meet to review Training Plan (with learning objectives)

                              Site Visit/Contact by Faculty Advisor

                              Student submits final/signed Training Plan to Faculty Advisor

                              Student adds information to Cooperative Education Performance Evaluation & submits

                              Site Visit/Contact by Faculty Advisor

                              Faculty Advisor & Student meet to review progress

                              Faculty Advisor & Student meet to review progress

                              Faculty Advisor & Student meet to review progress

                              Site Visit/Contact by Faculty Advisor

                              Employer completes Cooperative Education Performance Evaluation

                              Student Notebook received from student and contains:

  copy of Cooperative Education Agreement

  copy of Training Plan

  copy of all Time Sheets

  the project(s) (per the learning objectives)

  the Student Evaluation

  copy of work assignments (if applicable)

  copy of new resume

ACADEMIC EVALUATION (Methods to evaluate the student’s performance and assign a grade)

    Student-written learning objectives

    Faculty Advisor/Student conferences

    Project(s)

    Student Evaluation

    Student Resume

    Consultation with Supervisor

    Employer Performance Evaluation

    Student Notebook (items included)

    Copy of completed work assignments