LEGAL STUDIES COURSE WORK
All legal studies courses require sophomore standing or higher unless otherwise indicated. Courses are offered at five UCF
campuses (Main, Cocoa, Osceola, Lake Mary, & West Valencia) and on the web*. For the most complete, up-to-date degree
and program requirements, see the official UCF undergraduate catalog at www.catalog.ucf.edu
CORE COURSES:
PLA 3014
Law and the Legal System: (PR: ENC 1102C) A survey course designed to familiarize the student with the American legal
system, ethical considerations, terminology, legal reasoning, and the role of the legal assistant. 3 credit hours,
Fall/Spring/Summer
PLA 3108
Legal Research: (PR or CR: PLA 3014) A study of the various research tools used in legal investigation and the methods used
to conduct legal research. 3 credit hours, Fall/Spring/Summer
PLA 3155
Legal Writing: (PR: PLA 3108) A study of legal writing format and technique and the preparation of memoranda and other
legal documents, using research skills learned in PLA 3108. 3 credit hours, Fall/Spring/Summer
PLA 3205
Civil Practice and Procedure: (PR or CR: PLA 3014) The student becomes familiar with the Florida civil procedure before
trial and acquires the ability to prepare basic pleadings. 3 credit hours, Fall/Spring/Summer
PLA 3615
Property and Real Estate Law: (PR or CR: PLA 3014) Study of the law of real and personal property; real estate transactions
and conveyances; closing procedures and title problems. 3 credit hours, Fall/Spring/Summer
PLA 4703
Professional Ethics and Liability: (PR or CR: PLA 3014 & PR: Junior standing) Ethical responsibilities of professionals.
Canons of legal ethics, liability for professional malpractice. 3 credit hours, Fall/Spring/Summer
PLA 4935
Capstone Legal Issues: (PR: Senior Status with Major in Legal Studies, PLA 3155) The legal and socio-legal analysis of
selected issues that require students to synthesize their legal studies education. 3 credit hours, Fall/Spring/Summer
RESTRICTED ELECTIVE COURSES:
PLA 3277
The Law of Torts: (PR or CR: PLA 3014) Theories governing liability for civil injuries not arising from contractual obligations;
systems and procedures used in preparation, trial and appeal of Torts cases. 3 credit hours, Fall/Spring
PLA 3306
Criminal Law: (PR: ENC 1102C & Sophomore standing) Basic concepts of substantive criminal law. The course includes
examination of elements of major crimes, criminal responsibility, legal defenses, and parties to crime. 3 credit hours, Fall/Spring
PLA 3309
Criminal Procedure: (PR: ENC 1102C & Sophomore standing) Rules of criminal procedure, with emphasis on Florida rules,
including right to counsel, bail, search and seizure, arrest identification, trial, and post-trial proceedings. 3 credit hours,
Fall/Spring
PLA 3871
Law and Technology: Drones and Artificial Intelligence: (PR or CR: PLA 3014) This course prepares students to critically
analyze the law as a driver and inhibitor of technology by examining innovations in automated and unmanned aircrafts.
Fall,Spring.
PLA 3951H Honors Moot Court: (PR: Junior Standing and Consent of Honors, and C.I.) Interdisciplinary course on selective
principles of Constitutional Law, focusing on persuasive writing, oral advocacy, public speaking, and analytical skills through
UCF’s appellate advocacy/moot court tournament. Fall
PLA 4020
Law and Society: (PR or CR: PLA 3014 & PR: Junior standing) Examination of the relationship between law and American
society including the impact on the legal system and legal profession of major social movements. 3 credit hours, Occasional
PLA 4022
Contemporary Issues in Law: (PR: ENC 1102 and Junior Standing) Examine and analyze contemporary legal issues and
interplay between state and federal law applications. Topics track current social legal issues. May be used in the degree program a
maximum of 2 times only when course content is different. Occasional.
PLA 4226
Advanced Trial Advocacy: (PR: PLA 4910 and Junior standing) Litigation and trials at an advanced level; students must
handle trial from beginning to end. 3 credit hours, Occasional
PLA 4240
Negotiation Alternatives in Law: (PR or CR: PLA 3014 & PR: Junior standing) Introduces the student to the theories and
skills involved in negotiation, mediation and other dispute resolutions processes. 3 credit hours, Occasional
PLA 4263
Evidence: (PR or CR: PLA 3014 & PR: Junior standing) An examination of statutes and cases that define rules of evidence
for trial courts. Primary emphasis is on the Florida Evidence Code. 3 credit hours, Fall/Spring
PLA 4410
Intellectual Property Law and Practice: (PR or CR: PLA 3014 & PR: Junior standing) This course provides a
comprehensive understanding of intellectual property law and practice based on the four areas of trademark, copyright, patent
and trade secrets. Fall,Spring.
PLA 4424
The Law of Contracts: (PR or CR: PLA 3014 & PR: Junior standing) Study of the basic law of contracts as developed in
Anglo-American law and as changed by modern statutes, including the Uniform Commercial Code. Florida contract law will be
emphasized. 3 credit hours, Fall/Spring
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LEGAL STUDIES COURSE WORK
PLA 4436
Florida Partnerships and Corporations: (PR or CR: PLA 3014 & PR: Junior standing) Statutory requirements of Florida
partnerships and corporations; creation and dissolution of business organizations, responsibilities of officers and basic rights of
stockholders. 3 credit hours, Fall/Spring
PLA 4464
Bankruptcy Law: (PR or CR: PLA 3014 & PR: Junior standing) This course will acquaint the student with the substantive
law and procedures associated with the rights and obligations of debtors and creditors. 3 credit hours, Occasional
PLA 4472
Employment Discrimination Law: (PR or CR: PLA 3014 & PR: Junior standing) Course will address employment
discrimination based on race, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability and sexual orientation. Issues such as workplace
harassment, discriminatory discharge and affirmative action will be analyzed. The transformative/non-transformative effect of
anti-discrimination laws will also be explored. 3 credit hours, Occasional
PLA 4485
Administrative Law: (PR or CR: PLA 3014 & PR: Junior standing) The law regarding governmental agencies with emphasis
on the administrative process, Administrative Procedure Acts and special problems of state administrative law. 3 credit hours,
Fall/Spring
PLA 4521
World Hunger Morality & the Law: (PR: Junior Standing and C.I. Examine) World hunger as a complex issue of
sustainable human development, root causes and consequences of domestic and global hunger, and effect on legal systems.
Spring.
PLA 4530
Legal Issues of the Elderly: (PR or CR: PLA 3014 & PR: Junior standing) Legal concerns faced by older Americans as they
plan their later years and seek to maximize their personal autonomy. 3 credit hours, Occasional
PLA 4554
Environmental Law: (PR or CR: PLA 3014 & PR: Junior standing)Study of the law relating to private and public restraints
on land use, including planning, zoning, subdivision and building regulations, with emphasis on recent interpretations by the
judiciary for environmental protection. 3 credit hours, Odd Fall/Odd Spring
PLA 4583
Cyber Law I: (PR or CR: PLA 3014 & PR: Junior standing) Analysis of copyright, trademark, patent issues in cyberspace. 3
credit hours, Occasional
PLA 4607
Estates and Trusts: (PR or CR: PLA 3014 & PR: Junior standing) A study of wills and trusts, and applicable legal principles
of administration of estates through the processes of the Probate Court. 3 credit hours, Fall/Spring
PLA 4609
Estate Administration: (PR or CR: PLA 3014 & PR: Junior standing) Study of the laws and procedures applicable to
administration of estates. 3 credit hours, Occasional
PLA 4734
Advanced Legal Application Computer Software: (PR or CR: PLA 3014 & PR: Junior standing) Course will acquaint
students with contemporary computer software applications used to satisfy the demands of today’s law firms and law related
fields. 3 credit hours, Occasional
PLA 4764
Law Office Practices: (PR or CR: PLA 3014 & PR: Junior standing) Organization, operation and management of law office.
Interviewing techniques and practical application of work that is done in a law office. 3 credit hours, Occasional
PLA 4806
Domestic Relations Law: (PR or CR: PLA 3014 & PR: Junior standing) Role of the legal assistant in all phases of family
and juvenile law. Fundamental procedures and principles applied by the courts to family problems. 3 credit hours, Fall/Spring
PLA 4813
Juvenile Law and Procedure: (PR or CR: PLA 3014 & PR: Junior standing) Examines both the substantive and procedural
law for juvenile delinquency and dependency. Emphasis on Florida law and comparison with other jurisdictions. Occasional
PLA 4823
Sports Law: (PR or CR: PLA 3014 & PR: Junior standing) Introduction to the legal issues and regulation of the sports
industry, focusing on torts, contracts, agency and constitutional law as applied to athletes. 3 credit hours, Occasional
PLA 4825
Entertainment Law: (PR or CR: PLA 3014 & PR: Junior standing) Introduction to the control and regulation of the
entertainment industry and the associated legal issues. 3 credit hours, Occasional
PLA 4830
World Legal Systems: (PR or CR: PLA 3014 & PR: Junior standing) An examination of the civil and criminal, substantive
and procedural laws of several nations and legal traditions. A comparison on institutions and actors is included. Occasional
PLA 4834
Study Abroad: US/UK Comparative Law: (PR: PLA 3014) The structures of the legal systems of the United States and the
United Kingdom. A comparative examination of the institutions, structure and sources of law in the Continental, Common Law
and Anglo-American legal systems. Occasional.
PLA 4843
Immigration Law and Policy: (PR: PLA 3014, and Junior standing) Major topics in U.S. immigration law to include the
statutory, historical, and procedural foundations of U.S. immigration law and policy. Fall, Spring.
PLA 4861
Aviation Law: (PR: PLA 3014 and Junior standing, or C.I.) The law as it applies to aviation and aerospace activities
domestically and internationally, including post-9/11 national aviation policy and emerging technologies (drones). Fall, Spring.
PLA 4864
Admiralty and Maritime Law: (PR or CR: PLA 3014 & PR: Junior standing) Admiralty jurisdiction and procedure including
contracts for carriage of foods, seaman’s contracts and claims, collision and salvage law, and wrongful death. Occasional
PLA 4910
Trial Advocacy: (PR or CR: PLA 3014 & PR: PLA 4263 & Junior standing) Analysis of the entire litigation process from the
initial client interview through the appellate stage, and development of oral advocacy skills. 3 credit hours, Fall/Spring
10/16