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Paralegal Studies Certificate

The American Bar Association (ABA) has approved Lehigh Carbon Community College 's Paralegal Studies program. This certificate program is designed to meet the needs of the student who presently possesses college credit and is interested in pursuing a career as a paralegal.

Admission to the certificate program is limited to students that currently possess 30 semester hours of college credit, with grades of "C" or better for each course, of which 18 credits are distributed in at least three of the following acceptable General Education disciplines: English, Math, Science, Humanities and Social Science. The courses must be liberal arts credits and not technical. Admission is conditional.

The growth of the paralegal field provides excellent opportunities for employment and advancement. Qualified graduates of the Paralegal Studies certificate program can be hired by law firms, banks, title companies, real estate firms, corporations, and government agencies. Career possibilities include paralegal supervisor, trust coordinator, title searcher, settlement clerk, litigation specialist, contract coordinator, and a variety of other positions. An individual with legal skills can take those skills into a multitude of positions in the business environment, including but not limited to, human resources, records management, legal support, and government.

The students will gain an understanding of what paralegals can accomplish, as well as the limitations imposed by the unauthorized practice of law statute. An internship is available to provide students with practical experience in the paralegal field.

The primary goal of the program is to educate students to become paralegals who can 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.

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.
First Semester
Credits
AOT 112
 Keyboarding I *
 1.00
AOT 113
 Keyboarding II *
 1.00
AOT 114
 Keyboarding III *
 1.00
PLG 120
Intro to Paralegal Studies 3.00
PLG 150
Torts and Personal Injury Law 3.00








9.00


Second Semester
Credits
AOT 117
 Keyboarding VI *
 1.50
AOT 118
 Keyboarding V *
 1.50
PLG 200
 Civil Litigation & Procedures 3.00
PLG 215
 Law Office Management 3.00
Elective
PLG Elective **
2.00 - 3.00








 11.00 - 12.00


Third Semester
Credits
CIS 105
Intro to Comp & Applications 3.50
PLG 245
 Legal Research and Writing 3.00
Elective
 PLG Elective ** 3.00





950


Fourth Semester
Credits
PLG 220
Contract Law & Business Organ 3.00
PLG 225
 Legal Writing
 3.00
Elective
 PLG Elective ** 3.00





9.00

Credit Total
 38.5 - 39.5

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 individual student's needs.

**The student must select the PLG electives from the following list: RES/PLG 110, PLG 115, PLG 125 & PLG 130 & PLG 135, PLG 230, PLG 235, PLG 240, PLG 250.