Paralegal Certificate
Paralegal
Certificate (D,G)
The Paralegal Certificate is offered to students who have an underlying associate or bachelor’s degree in any discipline who are looking to further their education and gain specialized knowledge in the legal field. Students who have earned an associate in applied science (AAS) degree are required by the American Bar Association (ABA) to also have 18 general education credits as part of their degree. A student who has not already earned 18 general education credits as part of their AAS degree will be required to complete the remaining required general education credits before admission into the paralegal certificate program. The certificate program is designed to prepare graduates to find employment in law firms, federal, state, and local agencies, the court system, banks, and private businesses. Students in the certificate program take courses focusing on the structure and organization of the American legal system, basic principles of law and legal research, and various areas of substantive law. In addition, students may choose the opportunity to complete an internship to supplement their classroom studies with relevant work experience.
Students must take a minimum of 9 semester credits of legal specialty courses through traditional on campus face-to-face or synchronous web conferencing class instruction.
Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as provided by law.
Program Graduate Competencies
The Program Graduate Competencies listed below identify the major learning goals related to your specific program of study and identify the knowledge and skills you will have when you graduate to be successful in your chosen field.
- Explain the present and potential role of the paralegal within the legal system.
- Produce documents necessary for a functioning law office.
- Comply with the profession's Code of Ethics within the legal system.
- Use a range of research methods and information necessary to complete a variety of legal activities.
- Apply acquired knowledge of legal specialty areas in the workplace.
Graduation Requirements
Program/Major Courses
Select 5 course(s) from:
Suggested Pathway to Graduation (Course Sequence Sheet)
PROGRAM SPECIFIC ADVISEMENT STATEMENT
Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.
Semester 1
| PLG 170 | Intro to Legal System | 3 |
| Elective | Legal Elective | 3 |
| Elective | Legal Elective | 3 |
| Elective | Legal Elective | 3 |
Semester 2
| PLG 280 | Legal Research & Writing | 3 |
| | | |
| PLG 285 | Law Office Management & Procedures | 3 |
| | Or | |
| PLG 290 | Paralegal Internship | 4 |
| | | |
| Elective | Legal Elective | 3 |
| Elective | Legal Elective | 3 |
Approved Electives
Select five (5) legal electives.
To complete program requirements, you must pass the above courses and earn at least 24 credits. The number of courses and credits required for graduation may be more depending on college readiness and the elective courses offered in your program major (if electives are a part of the program). Students must take a minimum of 9 semester credits of legal specialty courses through traditional on campus face-to-face or synchronous web conferencing class instruction.
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