Fall 2026
Internship: Legal Assistant/Paralegal
Instructor: Tieranny Decuir
Email: decuirts@lamarpa.edu
Phone: (409) 984-6548
Office Hours: Monday -9:00am-4:30pm Tuesday - 2:00pm-4:00pm
Wednesday- 9:00am-4:30pm Thursday- 2:00pm-4:00pm Friday- Appointment Only
Additional Contact Information: None
A work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized theory, skills and concepts. A learning plan is developed by the college and the employer. Two mandatory on-campus class meetings will be held.
Internship handbook will be provided by instructor.
Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.
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LGLA-1351 Contracts
LGLA-1401 Legal Research and Writing
LGLA-2303 Torts and Personal Injury Law
LGLA-2313 Criminal Law and Procedures
1. Work effectively in an office environment (1)
2. Deal appropriately with fellow employees (3)
3. Respond properly to work assignments (3)
4. Develop camaraderie with work associates (3)
5. Avoid annoying habits in the office (3)
6. Effectively mold positive opinion for ideas (3)
7. Act appropriately in unfamiliar workplace settings (1)
8. Dress properly on the job (3)
9. Develop good rapport with supervisors (1)
10. Use the document production software utilized by the law office to draft documents for the supervising attorney (2, 4
PSLO 1: understand legal terms and the paralegal's role in the legal environment.
PSLO 2: apply correct drafting procedures to transactional and court documents.
PSLO 3: demonstrate appropriate ethics and professionalism in the legal environment.
PSLO 4: exhibit the ability to use computer skills.
Introduction to Internships
Preparing for Your Internship
Internship Documentation and Requirements
Effective Communication in the Workplace
Time Management and Organization
Navigating Workplace Challenges
Professional Development During Your Internship Ethics and Confidentiality in Internships
Evaluating Your Internship Experience
Preparing for Post-Internship Success
Final Presentations and Internship Reports
Week 1 Internship Handbook Forms (Initial) Due: End of Week 1
Week 2 Weekly Hourly Report (Week 1) Due
Week 3 Weekly Hourly Report (Week 2) Due
Week 4 Weekly Hourly Report (Week 3) Due
Week 5 Weekly Hourly Report (Week 4) Due
Week 6 Weekly Hourly Report (Week 5) Due
Week 7 Weekly Hourly Report (Week 6) Due
Week 8 Mid-Semester Check-In Report Weekly Hourly Report (Week 7) Due: Mid-Semester Check-In Report: End of Week 8
Weekly Hourly Report Due
Week 9 Weekly Hourly Report (Week 8) Due
Week 10 Weekly Hourly Report (Week 9) Due
Week 11 Weekly Hourly Report (Week 10) Due
Week 12 Weekly Hourly Report (Week 11) Due
Week 13 Weekly Hourly Report (Week 12) Due
Week 14 Weekly Hourly Report (Week 13) Student Self-Evaluation Due: Weekly Hourly Report Student Self-Evaluation: End of Week 14
Week 15 Weekly Hourly Report (Week 14) Final Employer Evaluation Due: Weekly Hourly Report: Final Employer Evaluation: End of Week 15
Week 16 Final Internship Report Final Internship Presentation Weekly Hourly Report (Week 15) Due: Last day of class / Final Week
December 4th, 2026 at 8:00am-December 7th, 2026 at 11:59pm.
Student must make a 70 (C) or above in order to pass this class.
Attendance and professionalism: 10% Required paperwork and Hourly Reports: 50% Employer Evaluation: 40%
At the start of the semester, you will receive an internship handbook that includes several required forms to be completed by both you and your internship supervisor. I will provide guidance on which forms are necessary.
All required forms to initiate your internship must be submitted via Blackboard by the end of the second full week of classes. Do not scan, email, or text these forms to me—all documents must be uploaded to Blackboard.
The handbook also includes:
The evaluations are to be completed at the end of the semester. The weekly hourly reports are due every Monday for the previous week. Staying current with your hours is essential. You are responsible for tracking your total hours—I will not calculate them for you. Keep a personal copy of each report to monitor your progress. If you work at least 10 hours per week, you should remain on track.
Your internship supervisor will help you build a schedule that accommodates your classes and other obligations. If you are unable to attend a scheduled internship shift, you must notify your supervisor immediately and also email me to report your absence. While emergencies and illnesses are understandable, consistent attendance is expected.
I will meet with your supervisor at the beginning of the semester—either in person or via Zoom—and will periodically follow up by phone or email to assess your progress. If any issues arise in the workplace— especially involving your supervisor or other staff—contact me right away. I do not tolerate hostile work environments, and I will take immediate action if needed.
The final employer evaluation must be submitted by the posted deadline. No exceptions will be made.
It is your responsibility to regularly check your student email and Blackboard Ultra for class updates and announcements.
For technical issues (login, passwords, or software problems), please contact the IT Department directly
The student is required to attend scheduled conferences, either online or in person, throughout the semester (dates and times will be provided by the instructor). Additionally, the student must complete a minimum of 160 hours with the internship employer over the course of the 16-week term. To meet this requirement, the student must work at least 10 hours per week during the internship.
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Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Instructor: Tieranny Decuir
Email: decuirts@lamarpa.edu
Phone: (409) 984-6548
Office Hours: Monday -9:00am-4:30pm Tuesday - 2:00pm-4:00pm
Wednesday- 9:00am-4:30pm Thursday- 2:00pm-4:00pm Friday- Appointment Only
Additional Contact Information: None
A work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized theory, skills and concepts. A learning plan is developed by the college and the employer. Two mandatory on-campus class meetings will be held.