Jun 10, 2025  
2025-2026 College Catalog and Student Handbook 
    
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2025-2026 College Catalog and Student Handbook

Paralegal Studies

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The Paralegal Studies technical certificate program is designed to provide students who have earned an Associate’s degree (A.A. or A.S.) or a Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) with specific education on substantive legal and ethical principles to prepare them for paralegal positions working under the supervision of an attorney in the private or public sector.

Upon completion of the Paralegal Studies technical certificate program, the student will be able to: 1) conduct legal research using both print and online resources; 2) use and understand legal terminology; 3) demonstrate knowledge of the court system and legal ethics; 4) draft legal documents; and 5) conduct client and witness interviews.

This program is designed for the student who does not intend to transfer to a baccalaureate degree program.

Degree: Technical Certificate

Emphasis: Paralegal Studies

Recommended Full-Time Schedule

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to the Paralegal Studies Technical Certificate program must apply for admission and submit their transcripts.

Students holding a Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) or an Associate’s degree (A.A. or A.S.) from a regionally accredited college or university qualify for admission to the program.  Students holding an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree qualify for admission only if their transcripts show the following:

  1. Completion of sixty (60) semester hours that includes eighteen (18) semester hours of general education courses from a regionally accredited college or university; and
  2. The eighteen (18) semester hours of general education must include at least:
  1. Three (3) semester hours in college-level English composition, and
  2. Three (3) semester hours in college-level speech, public speaking, or oral communication, and
  3. Twelve (12) semester hours consisting of courses from at least three of the following academic areas: English, social and behavioral science, literature, foreign language, mathematics, humanities, or natural science.

Students, including those enrolled in the A.A.S. Business – Paralegal Studies concentration, who complete the courses required for the Paralegal Studies technical certificate without also satisfying the aforementioned admissions requirements do not qualify to earn the technical certificate.                                                     

Fall Term (12 semester credit hours)

Spring Term (9 semester credit hours)

Program Requirements - Certificate, Paralegal Studies

Required Courses

Total Credit Hours 21

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