UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY
Curriculum Additions and Changes
Board of Trustees
March 17, 2011
Proposal:
Addition: Certificate of Proficiency in Legal Studies
Name change: BS/AS/Minor in Paralegal Studies to Legal Studies
Name change and re-instatement: AAS Paralegal Studies to Legal Studies
Discontinuation: One Year Certificate in Computer Systems Maintenance
Discontinuation: Diploma/AS/AAS Electronic and Computer Technology
Discontinuation: BS Business Management: Finance and Banking emphasis and Marketing emphasis
Background:
The Certificate of Proficiency in Legal Studies is specifically designed to enhance the educational and
vocational opportunities of students who already have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a non-legal
area and need additional rapid retraining to reenter the workforce. The certificate would prepare students
to enter the workforce as a paralegal, law clerk, court clerk and many other positions in the public and
private sectors. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics website ranks paralegalism and other non-lawyer, legalrelated professions to outpace the growth of lawyer positions by 400 percent; indeed, almost all the growth
in the legal profession in the last five years has been in these non-attorney positions.
The name change from BS/AS/Minor in Paralegal Studies to Legal Studies will bring the degree into
relative uniformity with national institutions approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). The Legal
Studies Department sent surveys to regional employers as part of their ongoing assessment process. The
surveys revealed the current label “Paralegal Studies” undervalued the degree and did not adequately
describe the robust academics required. The Department expects that the student enrollments will
increase with the implementation of this name change as it broadens the base of options for current and
prospective students.
The Legal Studies program at UVU has experienced a dramatic influx of students, particularly those who
already have an associate degree. These students are interested in the AAS in Paralegal Studies
program because they want to retool and gain the skills necessary to work in the legal profession.
Currently, students who hold an AS degree are not allowed to obtain another AS degree; however, no such
restriction exists for AAS degrees. For such students, the AAS degree is likely a better fit because the
emphasis is designed around legal courses rather than general education courses. For this reason, the
Department requests the reinstatement of the AAS degree. The name change from AAS in Paralegal
Studies to Legal Studies will bring the degree into relative uniformity with national institutions approved by
the American Bar Association (ABA). The Legal Studies Department sent surveys to regional employers as
part of their ongoing assessment process. The surveys revealed the current label “Paralegal Studies”
undervalued the degree and did not adequately describe the robust academics required. The Department
expects that the student enrollments will increase with the implementation of this name change as it
broadens the base of options for current and prospective students.
The discontinuation of the One Year Certificate in Computer Systems Maintenance is requested. This
degree was originally developed as a means for students to complete a certificate in Electronic and
Computer Technology in one year. For many years, the certificate has not attracted a single student and
the need for the degree has ceased to exist.
Over the past 10 years, the enrollments in the Diploma/AS/AAS Electronic and Computer Technology
(ECT) programs have been declining. During Fall, 2005, there were more faculty than students in the ECT
program. Due to these low enrollments, it was determined that UVU would put the program on hold for a
few years. Several years later, a new program (AAS in Mechatronics) was developed to replace ECT.
The discontinuation of the Bachelor of Science in Business Management: Finance and Banking
emphasis is requested. Beginning with the Fall 2009 semester, the Board of Regents authorized the WSB
to offer both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degrees in Finance. The new degrees include
all the courses which were previously a part of the BS Business Management: Finance and Banking
emphasis, as well as several additional higher level, more specialized courses. As a result, students who
complete either the BA or BS in Finance degree will be better prepared to meet the challenges they will
face in their professional careers.
The discontinuation of the Bachelor of Science in Business Management: Marketing emphasis is
requested. The purpose of this change is to bring the marketing degrees into alignment with the other
degrees in the Woodbury School of Business that have changed from emphases to bachelor’s degrees:
accounting, economics, and finance. This will have no impact on curriculum, faculty, staff, or resources.
The discontinuation of the emphasis is dependent on the Board of Regents approval of the B.A. and B.S. in
Marketing degrees which are to be discussed at the Board of Regents meeting on March 25, 2011.
Recommendation:
The President and the Vice President for Academic Affairs recommend that the Board of Trustees approve
the proposed actions as summarized above and detailed in the attached documents.
Section I: Request
The Department of Legal Studies at Utah Valley University, approved by the American Bar Association,
requests the addition of a Certificate of Proficiency in Legal Studies, effective Fall 2011. The certificate is
specifically designed to enhance the educational and vocational opportunities of students who already have
an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a non-legal area and need additional rapid retraining to reenter the
workforce. The certificate would prepare students to enter the workforce as a paralegal, law clerk, court
clerk and many other positions in the public and private sectors.
Section II: Need
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics website ranks paralegalism and other non-lawyer, legal-related
professions to outpace the growth of lawyer positions by 400 percent; indeed, almost all the growth in the
legal profession in the last five years has been in these non-attorney positions. Employers in both the
public and private sectors are hiring more non-lawyers to meet their legal needs because the cost is lower
and the quality of work is comparable to that of lawyers when properly supervised.
The American Bar Association requires that the students who participate in this certificate program have
completed an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. This allows the certificate to be a value-added degree.
The Central Utah Bar Association (CUBA) has requested the addition of the certificate, and feels it will meet
an immediate regional need for current and prospective legal professionals. The CUBA would support the
program by recommending and funneling current legal professionals who do not have legal-specific training
for the program. The Legal Studies Department has fielded over 121 individual requests over the last year
from individuals with a bachelor or associate degree looking for a certificate program in paralegal studies.
The requests are from individuals who have lost their current employment and are looking for new career
opportunities.
The mission of Utah Valley University is to “provide opportunity, promote student success, and meet
regional education needs.” The need for a certificate of proficiency in Legal Studies is critical to providing
an opportunity for community members to retrain and re-enter the workforce during the present economic
times. This need has been identified by the American Bar Association Advisory Board, which is composed
of practicing attorneys, judges, and other business professionals. An important element in this certificate
includes engaged learning. Each course in the proposed program requires hands-on-learning through
experience in various practice settings including courts, law offices, and administrative agencies.
Currently, Weber State University offers a non-credit Paralegal Certificate and Salt Lake Community
College offers a Paralegal course Certificate program.
Section III: Institutional Impact
The courses for the certificate program are existing courses used by students in the Legal Studies bachelor
and associate degrees; therefore, no new courses would need to be added or offered to meet the demand.
The Legal Studies Department uses a five-year plan for scheduling classes. The certificate courses are
included in the plan and will allow the students to complete the certificate in a one- year time frame. If
necessary the enrollment of students can be easily accommodated by using larger classrooms to offer
existing courses. The certificate will not require additional faculty members, since the courses are already
in place. The certification program would enhance the enrollments in the current program.
Section IV: Finances
No additional funds will be required for the implementation of this certificate. No additional faculty will be
required, and the certificate courses are already offered in the Legal Studies department.
Appendix A: Certificate of Proficiency Courses
Prefix &
Number
LEGL 1000
LEGL 1110
LEGL 1220
LEGL 2300
LEGL 2330
LEGL 3000
LEGL 3190
DGM 2010
Title
Introduction to American Law
Civil Litigation
Legal Research I
Legal Research II
Technology in Law Practice
Business Law
Legal Environment
Business Computer Proficiency
Credit
Hours
3
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
LEGL 1110 Introduction to American Law 3:3:0
Studies the relationship between social values, culture and the law, with particular emphasis on current
events. Examines the structure of the American court system, its processes, and the American
constitutional framework and federalism, methods of alternative dispute resolution, and a survey of major
areas in American law, including torts, business and contracts, intellectual property, family law and estate
planning.
LEGL 1110 Civil Litigation 4:4:0
Overviews court system, emphasizing the Utah State Courts, civil procedural and evidentiary rules, and
stages of civil litigation. Emphasizes the paralegal's role in investigation, preparation, and resolution of
lawsuits.
LEGL 1220 Legal Research I 3:3:0
Familiarizes students with the law library. Provides instruction in the variety, use, and interrelationships of
basic legal research materials and methodology. Emphasizes manual legal research methods. Uses
primary and secondary legal research sources.
LEGL 2300 Legal Research II 3:3:0
Covers legal analysis, a research plan development and database, computerized legal research, and legal
writing. Includes case briefing and writing internal and external court legal memoranda.
LEGL 2330 Technology in Law Practice 3:3:0
Introduces computer technology and its application within law practice. Teaches the use of computers in
litigation support, case management applications, and production of legal documents. Includes lab
experience using computers and simulated case problems. Completers should be qualified to work in jobs
requiring case management and automated litigation support.
LEGL 3000 Business Law 3:3:0
For School of Business students and others desiring a more complete understanding of business law.
Presents the American legal system, constitutional law, statutory law, common law, and administrative law
and alternatives to courts. Discusses crimes, torts, negligence, contracts, negotiable instruments, and
contractual relationships.
LEGL 3190 Legal Environment 3:3:0
Explores common historical theories of law and ethical standards for legal professionals. Examines
unauthorized practice of law, confidentiality, and other standards of conduct. Emphasizes the American Bar
Association and the Utah Rules of Professional Conduct. Emphasizes the development of effective
techniques for successfully locating, applying for, securing employment, and advancing in the legal
profession.
DGM 2010 Business Computer Proficiency 3:3:0
Encompasses the four basic business applications, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access and
Microsoft PowerPoint from a business perspective. Covers intermediate level problem solving and
production skills. Uses business applications in case study settings to solve problems and accomplish task.
In company with prerequisite, meets/exceeds the Board of Regent's Business Core Advisory Committee's
requirement, and the Business Computer Proficiency required for matriculation into college or university
business schools in the state of Utah.
Section I: Request
The Department of Legal Studies within the Woodbury School of Business at Utah Valley University
requests to change the names of the BS, AS, and Minor in Paralegal Studies to Legal Studies effective Fall
2011. No significant programmatic or instructional changes are associated with this change.
Section II: Need
The name change from BS/AS/Minor in Paralegal Studies will bring the degree into relative uniformity with
national institutions approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). The ABA Advisory Board, made up
of judges, practicing lawyers and other legal professionals, feel the name change will provide students with
a more accurate idea of the opportunities available with these degrees in the legal studies field. The Legal
Studies Department sent surveys to regional employers as part of their ongoing assessment process. The
surveys revealed the current label “Paralegal Studies” undervalued the degree and did not adequately
describe the robust academics required. The ABA Advisory Board feels strongly that the current title
undervalues the degree.
Section III: Institutional Impact
The Department expects that the student enrollments will increase with the implementation of this name
change as it broadens the base of options for current and prospective students.
The name change request is also in response to the fact that many students currently view this degree as a
technical program only, which diminishes its inherent academic challenges.
There are no anticipated changes to the existing administrative structures. No new units are proposed
attendant to this request. No changes in faculty and staff are contemplated regarding this request. No new
physical facilities or modifications to existing facilities will be required. The equipment necessary to carry on
with this request is already available to the students and faculty.
Section IV: Finances
The Department expects enrollments and matriculations within the degree to increase over time with this
change; although it is not anticipated that new funds will be required soon after its implementation. No
other budgetary impacts are expected within the department, Woodbury School of Business or the
institution.
Section I: Request
The Department of Legal Studies within the Woodbury School of Business at Utah Valley University
requests the reinstatement of the AAS in Paralegal Studies degree effective Fall 2011. The Department
also requests that the name of the degree be changed from AAS Paralegal Studies to AAS Legal Studies.
No significant programmatic or instructional changes are associated with this change.
Section II: Need
The Legal Studies program at UVU has experienced a dramatic influx of students, particularly those who
already have an associate degree. These students are interested in the AAS program because they want
to retool and gain the skills necessary to work in the legal profession. Currently, students who hold an AS
degree are not allowed to obtain another AS degree; however, no such restriction exists for AAS degrees.
For such students, the AAS degree is likely a better fit because the emphasis is designed around legal
courses rather than general education courses. For this reason, the Department requests the
reinstatement of the AAS degree.
The name change from AAS Paralegal Studies to AAS Legal Studies will bring the degree into relative
uniformity with national institutions approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). The ABA Advisory
Board, made up of judges, practicing lawyers and other legal professionals, feel the name change would
provide students with a more accurate idea of the opportunities available with an AAS degree in the legal
studies field. The Legal Studies Department sent surveys to regional employers as part of their ongoing
assessment process. The surveys revealed that the current “Paralegal Studies” name undervalued the
degree and did not adequately describe the robust academics required. The AAS degree would prepare
students for a myriad of law professions including law clerk, court clerk, and probation officer. The ABA
Advisory Board feels strongly that the current title undervalues the degree.
Section III: Institutional Impact
The Department expects that the student enrollments will increase with the implementation of this name
change as it broadens the base of options for current and prospective students.
Furthermore, the Department will be seeking the approval of the American Bar Association for this degree
program as soon as it receives approval from the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education..
The name change request is also in response to the fact that many students currently view this degree as a
technical program only, which diminishes its inherent academic challenges.
There are no anticipated changes to the existing administrative structures. No new units are proposed
attendant to this request. No changes in faculty and staff are contemplated regarding this request. No new
physical facilities or modifications to existing facilities will be required. The equipment necessary to carry on
with this request is already available to the students and faculty.
Section IV: Finances
The Department expects enrollments and matriculations within the degree to increase over time with this
change, although it is not anticipated that new funds will be required soon after its implementation. No
other budgetary impacts are expected within the department, Woodbury School of Business or the
institution.
Section I: Request
The College of Technology and Computing at Utah Valley University requests the discontinuation of the
one year certificate in Computer Systems Maintenance effective Fall 2011.
Section II: Need
This degree was originally developed as a means for students to complete a certificate in Electronic and
Computer Technology in one year. For many years, the certificate has not attracted a single student and
the need for the degree has ceased to exist.
Section III: Institutional Impact
Discontinuation of this degree will have no impact on the institution.
Section IV: Finances
Discontinuing this degree will have no budgetary impacts on other programs or units within the institution
since no resources have been used in the past to support the degree.
Section I: Request
The Department of Electronic and Computer Technology at Utah Valley University requests the
discontinuation of the Electronic and Computer Technology Diploma, AS Pre-major, and AAS degrees,
effective Fall, 2011.
Section II: Need
Over the past 10 years, the enrollments in the Electronic and Computer Technology (ECT) programs have
been declining. During Fall, 2005, there were more faculty than students in the ECT program. Due to
these low enrollments, it was determined that UVU would put the program on hold for a few years. Several
years later, a new program (AAS in Mechatronics) was developed to replace ECT.
Section III: Institutional Impact
UVU had five individuals working full-time with the ECT program. Two full-time faculty retired the summer
of 2007 and their positions were reallocated to another department. Another full-time faculty was qualified
to move to another department. Two other full-time faculty were notified that their employment would end
Spring semester 2007 and their positions were reallocated to other growing departments. The
administrative assistant was transferred to the Associate Dean’s office.
Equipment associated with the ECT program was utilized by other programs.
. Section IV: Finances
No new funds will be required by UVU to implement these changes.
Section I: Request
The Department of Finance and Economics within the Woodbury School of Business (WSB) at Utah Valley
University (UVU) respectfully requests that the emphasis in Finance and Banking within the Bachelor of
Science Degree in Business Management be discontinued effective Fall 2011. Previously, the finance and
banking emphasis was one of six emphases that students could choose from within the broader context of
a Business Management degree at UVU. However, beginning with the Fall 2009 semester, the WSB was
authorized to offer both a BS and BA in Finance, which overshadows the need for the Finance and Banking
emphasis.
Section II: Need
Beginning with the Fall 2009 semester, the Board of Regents authorized the WSB to offer both a Bachelor
of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degrees in Finance. The new degrees include all the courses which
were previously a part of the BS Business Management: Finance and Banking emphasis, as well as
several additional higher level, more specialized courses. As a result, students who complete either the BA
or BS in Finance degree will be better prepared to meet the challenges they will face in their professional
careers. A departmental analysis suggested that as the financial industry has become more sophisticated;
students who complete the BA or BS in Finance degree (rather than the Business Management: Finance
and Banking emphasis) will be better able to meet the competitive requirements of the industry.
Section III: Institutional Impact
The discontinuation of the emphasis will only have a limited effect on the instructional programs offered
within the department. Many of the students seeking the BS Business Management: Finance and Banking
emphasis degree have already transferred to the BA or BS in Finance program. There is sufficient faculty
within the department to offer the specialized courses and to provide introductory finance courses that are
required for the finance degrees, as well as those included within the basic business required core. The
finance and banking emphasis is essentially just a component part of the broader finance degree, and there
is no longer a need to retain a separate structure for its administration.
Section IV: Finances
There will be no adverse impact on costs as a result of the proposed change. The BA/BS in Finance
degrees have subsumed all the relevant activities that were previously appropriate with the emphasis in
finance and banking.
Section I: Request
The Department of Marketing within the Woodbury School of Business (WSB) at Utah Valley University
requests the discontinuation of the Bachelor of Science in Business Management: Marketing emphasis
effective Fall, 2011. The purpose of this change is to bring the marketing degrees into alignment with the
other degrees in the Woodbury School of Business that have changed from emphases to bachelor’s
degrees: accounting, economics, and finance. This will have no impact on curriculum, faculty, staff, or
resources. The discontinuation of the emphasis is dependent on the Board of Regents approval of the B.A.
and B.S. in Marketing degrees which are to be discussed at the Board of Regents meeting on March 25,
2011.
Section II: Need
The Woodbury School of Business has opted to change current emphases to degrees. Changing the
Marketing emphasis to a degree will make it consistent with the other degree requests from the WSB and
will require no changes to the program other than resources required as the demand for the degree
increases.
Section III: Institutional Impact
The discontinuation of the Marketing emphasis and the addition of the proposed Marketing degrees will
have limited personnel and budgetary impact because all the faculty and resources are already in place to
support the program. The BS Business Management: Marketing emphasis has been in place for over 15
years. The required and elective upper division courses supporting the degree are currently taught by
qualified faculty who are in compliance with the accreditation requirements of AACSB. This includes faculty
with proven records of scholarship and histories of applied research, and commitments to the process of
teaching students how to use these principles in the workplace. All other resources are currently in place.
Section IV: Finances
Budgetary impact of the discontinuation of the emphasis will be limited. The discontinuation will produce no
savings as the requested B.A. and B.S. in Marketing degrees will use the same faculty and resources. The
proposed degrees will be administered by the Department of Marketing, which is already in place and will
therefore not require any additional advising personnel, administrative staff, or other related administrative
expenditures during the initial years of operation. This proposal will require no additional financial
resources, and discontinuation of the emphasis will produce no savings.