CRPT 1000 - Steno Machine Shorthand Theory
(3 Credits)
This is an introductory course in steno machine shorthand writing. Students will learn proper positioning at the steno machine, how to properly set up and break down their machines, and how to depress and memorize the keys on the stenographic machine. Students will learn to write letters and combine letters to form new letters, words, and phrases heard daily (brief forms) and how to write numbers and punctuation on the steno machine. My Realtime Coach is utilized for coursework and homework assignments and proficient "read back" and transcribing steno notes into English is required.
Lecture: 3 hours
CRPT 1010 - Legal Terminology
(3 Credits)
This course offers an introduction to legal terminology as it relates to the work of court reporters. Definitions, spelling, and pronunciation of legal terms, basic court procedures, and court rules and guidelines are key components of this course. Students will develop a working knowledge of the language commonly used in the legal profession during courtroom and other legal proceedings.
Lecture: 3 hours
CRPT 1100 - Text Editing for Court Reporters
(3 Credits)
This course provides a comprehensive study of text editing skills practiced by Court Reporters. Emphasis is placed on grammar, punctuation, capitalization, sentence structure, proofreading, and editing.
Lecture: 3 hours
CRPT 1110 - Court Reporting and Computer Aided Technologies I
(3 Credits)
In this course, students will learn the features and how to read, name, translate, and edit their steno notes utilizing the Case CATalyst™ software and use My Realtime Coach™ for in-class and homework assignments and tests. Students will continue to build and maintain their personal dictionary, improve their speed and writing up to 60 wpm on the stenograph machine, and be required to pass two separate tests of Question & Answer (Q & A) Testimony at 60 wpm, with 90% accuracy. Students will continue to learn to write commonly known phrases (Brief Forms) and demonstrate proficient readback from their notes.
Lecture: 3 hours
CRPT 1120 - Court Reporting and Computer Aided Technologies II
(3 Credits)
This course builds on the skills students gained in Court Reporting & Computer Aided Technologies I. Students will be writing on the stenograph machine at speeds from 60-100 wpm. To successfully complete this course, students are required to pass one 5-minute test of Literary at 60 wpm, one 5-minute test of Jury Charge at 80 wpm, and one 5-minute test of Q & A Testimony at 100 wpm, with 90 % accuracy. Proficient read back from notes is required. In the fast-paced and precise world of court reporting, a profound understanding of legal terminology is paramount. This course provides insight into the language of the law to enhance accuracy, speed, and overall proficiency. My Realtime Coach™ will be utilized for in-class and homework assignments.
Lecture: 3 hours
CRPT 1130 - Court Reporting and Computer Aided Technologies III
(3 Credits)
This course continues to build on the skills students gained in Court Reporting and Computer Aided Technologies I and II. Students will be writing on the stenographic machine at higher levels of speed ranging from 100-140 wpm. To successfully complete this course, students are required to pass one 5-minute test of Literary at 100 wpm, one 5-minute test of Jury Charge at 120 wpm, and one 5-minute test of Q & A testimony at 140 wpm, with 90 percent accuracy. Proficient readback from their steno notes is required. As a court reporter, your role extends beyond legal proceedings, often requiring a deep understanding of medical terminology. Students are equipped with the knowledge necessary to accurately transcribe medical testimony, ensuring transcripts maintain the highest standards of accuracy and clarity. My Realtime Coach is utilized for in-class and homework assignments.
Lecture: 3 hours
CRPT 1140 - Court Reporting and Computer Aided Technologies IV
(3 Credits)
In this course, students continue to focus on increasing their writing speed. Students will write on the stenograph machine at speeds ranging from 140-180 wpm and use My Realtime Coach™ for in-class and homework assignments. Students are required to pass one 5-minute test of Literary at 140 wpm, one 5-minute test of Jury charge at 160 wpm, and one 5-minute test of Question and Answer (Q & A) Testimony at 180 wpm, with 90 percent accuracy. Proficient readback from their steno notes is required.
Lecture: 3 hours
CRPT 1160 - CART and Captioning for the Advanced Court Reporter
(3 Credits)
In this final course, students get an in-depth look into the different paths available to them in the court reporting field. Students will shadow a professional court reporter and learn the different procedures of a court reporter in both the judicial and freelance fields. Students are required to pass one 5-minute test of Literary at 180 wpm, one 5-minute test of Jury Charge at 200 wpm, and one 5-minute test of Q & A testimony at 225 wpm, with 90% accuracy. Students will acquire advanced knowledge of the command keys within the Case CATalyst and use My Realtime Coach™ for in-class and homework assignments. Proficient readback from their steno notes is required.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 1010 - Criminal Law
(3 Credits)
A foundational study of criminal law, focusing on common law and modern statutory applications. Topics include substantive law, distinction between criminal and civil justice systems, essential elements of crimes, key components to criminal intent and acts, as well as causation and harm. This course also covers defenses such as insanity, entrapment, and others used in U.S. Law.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 1030 - Criminalistics I
(3 Credits)
This course surveys basic crime scene investigation methods. This course employs an active learning philosophy, where students learn by doing. Topics include and students actively participate in learning first responder duties, laws involving search and seizure of evidence, evidence collection and processing, photography, sketching, motor vehicle investigation and principles of reconstruction, impression and imprint evidence, blood spatter, and trace evidence. This course involves processing and investigating a mock crime scene.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 1040 - Criminalistics II
(3 Credits)
This course is an advanced study of criminalistics where students actively engage in the learning process. Topics include the investigation of specific crimes which include: sexual assault, arson, Death Investigation, forensic entomology; deciphering, classifying fingerprints and using advanced latent fingerprint recovery techniques; principles in forensic toxicology; drug detection and investigation; and firearms. Students will also actively participate in blood typing and DNA extraction, forensic anthropology with the aid of facsimiles of real bones. Students will also explore the use of microscopy through use of compound, comparison and stereo microscopes.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 1080 - Introduction to Law and Legal Studies
(3 Credits)
Students will be introduced to the law and the American legal system. Topics include legal research and writing, E-Filing, communication skills, law office administration, legal and professional ethics, foundations of substantive and procedural law, legal terminology, the functions of the courts, and the role of attorneys, paralegals, and other legal professionals.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2000 - Constitutional Law
(3 Credits)
This course presents the basic principles of Constitutional Law through the analysis of the opinions of the United States Supreme Court. Topics include judicial review, federalism, commerce clause, governmental powers, and civil rights.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2010 - Law of Evidence
(3 Credits)
This course studies the rules governing the admissibility of evidence in civil and criminal trials to protect individual rights. Topics include burden of proof, competency and examinations of witnesses, types of evidence, and the function of judge and jury.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2020 - Basic Civil Procedures for Legal Professionals
(3 Credits)
This course introduces the legal concepts and practical applications of civil litigation using the rules of civil procedure as applied in the federal and state court systems. The course will cover the court system; jurisdiction and venue; pleadings (complaints, answers, counterclaims and cross-claims); and discovery documents (interrogatories, depositions and requests for production).
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2030 - Criminal Law and the Constitution
(3 Credits)
This course presents a consideration and analysis of the most significant and recent Supreme Court decisions as they pertain to the rights of the accused in the areas of arrest, search and seizure, interrogation and right to assistance of counsel. Case and text method.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2040 - Law in Contemporary Society
(3 Credits)
This course studies adjudicated cases involving contemporary social issues and the effect on society. Stress is placed on the relationship and impact of law on social values, morals, and change. The balance between the interests of society and individual rights are scrutinized.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2050 - Law of Contracts
(3 Credits)
Students will examine contract law, including the basic elements of a valid contract, rights of the third parties, and remedies for breach. Topics include agreement, consideration, contractual capacity, and legality.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2060 - The Law of Property, Estates and Trusts
(3 Credits)
This course studies the laws of real property, personal property and decedent's estates. Topics to be covered include definitions of real and personal property; the ownership and transfer of real estate (concurrent ownership, deeds, mortgages and leases); and the areas of gifts, wills, inheritance laws, probate and trusts.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2070 - Law of Business Organization
(3 Credits)
This course covers the legal requirements to organize a business entity. Topics include types of business organizations, government regulations, business ethics, and sanctions for violations of the law.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2090 - Legal Research and Writing I^
(3 Credits)
Students will learn how to perform procedural aspects of legal research. Students will use primary and secondary legal sources, case digests, search aids (LexisNexis, Westlaw), and citators (Shepard's Citations). Students are expected to complete a case brief and legal memorandum.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2095 - Legal Research and Writing II^
(3 Credits)
This course is a work-based, hands-on experience integrating information and skills learned in previous legal courses. The course is divided into three segments: completing the Paralegal Portfolio, preparing a criminal case file, and preparing a civil case file. Students will be exposed to professional networking with an opportunity for mentorship. This course is intended for students in their final semester of the Paralegal program.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2100 - Tort and Personal Injury Law
(3 Credits)
This course involves the study of civil wrongs that result in injuries to person, property, or relationships. Students will examine types of torts (intentional, negligence, and strict liability), causation, and damages. Topics include defamation, fraud, professional malpractice, products and premises liability, and impact of insurance.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2500 - Case Studies in Criminal Law
(3 Credits)
This capstone course in the Law Enforcement program will integrate the material covered in prior classes in the areas of substantive criminal law, criminal procedural law, crime scene investigation, evidentiary law and constitutional law related to law enforcement. Students will work on and write reports on two case studies based upon comprehensive case files. These case files will include documents that would be involved in an actual criminal case such as bills of indictment, police reports, witness statements, forensic reports, search warrant affidavits and inventories, transcripts of court hearings involving the case and the substantive criminal laws that may apply to the facts of the case. Note: If students wish to register but have not completed all prerequisites, please contact the instructor for permission.
Lecture: 3 hours
MEDL 2350 - Medical Terminology
(3 Credits)
This course introduces medical, diagnostic, symptomatic and surgical terms. Literal definitions and spelling are stressed.
Lecture: 3 hours
MEDL 2385 - International Classification of Diseases – Clinical Modification ICD-CM
(1 Credit)
This course familiarizes students with the latest volume of the World Health Organization - International Classification of Diseases and Clinical Modification medical diagnostic codes in the (ICD-CM) manual. This course includes an overview of the format of the ICD-CM manual and is combined with an understanding of diagnostic coding fundamentals, medical coding conventions, and guidelines. In addition, basic medical billing concepts and practices required in phlebotomy lab practices will be introduced. This course is for PHLE students only.
Lecture: 1 hour
MEDL 2390 - Fundamentals of Medical Coding
(4 Credits)
The Fundamentals of Medical Coding course is designed to introduce students to the concepts of medical diagnostic and procedural coding using the latest editions of WHO-ICD-CM, AMA CPT®, and CMS-HCPCS II medical coding manuals. The course will cover topics including the organization of each manual, how to locate and determine the respective medical codes, and how to review medical coding guidelines for accurate patient medical record documentation. HIPAA laws and regulations related to patient privacy will also be introduced.
Lecture: 4 hours
Prerequisite(s): MEDL 2350 (may be taken concurrently)
MEDL 2410 - Fundamentals of Medical Insurance Billing and Electronic Medical Records
(4 Credits)
In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of Medical Billing and Electronic Medical Records. The course introduces the essential aspects of medical billing used in provider-based medical practices. This includes a review of the CMS-1500 claim form. Students will participate, complete, and prepare for the NHA CBCS (Certified Billing and Coding Specialist) online program, and prepare to take the NHA CBCS exam. The basics of Electronic Medical Records are also covered along with the fundamental aspects of EMR operations and management. Students will participate, complete, and prepare for the NHA CEHRS (Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist) online program, and prepare to take the NHA CEHRS exam.
Lecture: 4 hours, Lab: 0 hours
Prerequisite(s): MEDL 2390 (may be taken concurrently)
MEDL 2420 - Practical Applications in Professional Medical Coding
(4 Credits)
This course advances the student’s knowledge of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), International Classification of Diseases (ICD), and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding (HCPC) code sets and outlines the application of the fundamentals of coding and documentation in the physician’s practice. This course prepares students for the American Academy of Professional Coders CPC Certification Examination.
Lecture: 4 hours
Prerequisite(s): MEDL 2390 (may be taken concurrently) and (MEDL 2400 (may be taken concurrently) or MEDL 2385 (may be taken concurrently))
