Paralegal Studies A.A.S.

*This is an overview of the program. The course sequencing is meant to serve as a guideline for your semester planning. Please note that the scheduling of courses, program sequencing and curriculum are subject to change.*

LCCC’s Paralegal Studies is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) and, because of growth in the paralegal field, provides excellent opportunities for employment and advancement. Qualified graduates of the Paralegal Studies program can be hired by law firms, banks, title companies, real estate firms, and corporations. Career possibilities include paralegal supervisor, trust coordinator, title searcher, settlement clerk, litigation specialist, contract coordinator, and a variety of other positions. Individuals with legal skills take these skills into a multitude of positions in the business environment, including human resources, records management, legal support, and government.

Students will gain an understanding of what paralegals can accomplish, as well as the limitations imposed by the unauthorized practice of law statute. Internships provide students with practical experience in the paralegal field. Students may also transfer credits to various four-year colleges or universities toward a bachelor’s degree.

The primary goal of the program is to educate students to become paralegals who perform effectively in a variety of legal settings and adapt to changes in the legal environment and law practice. The program prepares students for careers as paralegals working under the supervision of lawyers in either the public or private sectors, as well as striving to encourage and facilitate graduates to pursue advanced degrees.

Through a collaborative program of study between LCCC and Kutztown University, LCCC’s Paralegal Studies graduates may transfer directly to Kutztown University to major in English, Political Science, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, History, Psychology, and Sociology.

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

• apply legal and business skills necessary for a position in a law office, bank, real estate office, government authority, or any position that uses the knowledge of law.
• demonstrate substantive knowledge and procedural knowledge of law.
• apply the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers and the application to paralegals.

Up to nine PLG credits will be accepted for transfer into LCCC’s PLG program from an ABA-approved program. PLG 200 must be completed at LCCC. PLG credit by assessment is limited to three credits. Total PLG transfer credit and credit by assessment is limited to nine credits.

*Or other appropriate courses as determined by the Paralegal Studies Coordinator to meet an individual student’s needs.

**Professional electives note: The student must select three credits with a PLG prefix from the following list: PLG 125, 130 and 135, 230, 235, and 240. The other professional elective must be selected from the above list or CJA 201, 240; ENG 107; HIT 140;

ENG 111; or any other credit course that is approved by the Paralegal Studies coordinator.

***Recommended Social Science/Humanities electives: PSC 231, 233, 235, 236 and ECO 201.

****MAT 118 and 125 do not fulfill this requirement.