Paralegal Studies Certificate (PLGC)
Attention
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.
The Paralegal Studies Certificate program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
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 at least a “C” 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 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. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to public except as permitted by law. An internship is available to provide students with practical experience in the paralegal field.
The program prepares students for careers as paralegals working under the supervision of lawyers in either the public or private sectors.
LCCC’s Paralegal Studies program options are primarily offered through synchronous instruction. Paralegal Studies classes may be enhanced with asynchronous materials. Paralegal Studies students must take at least nine-semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.
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.
• apply soft skills, such as cooperative teamwork, communication skills and ethical decision-making.
• demonstrate substantive knowledge and procedural knowledge of law.
• apply the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers and the application to paralegals.