Program: PLT.COA - Certificate of Achievement
Paralegals are trained specialists who, under the supervision of an attorney, perform a wide variety of legal tasks. These tasks may include legal research, law office management and preparation of legal documents. Only an attorney may provide legal services directly to the public. Students can earn the Associate in Applied Science which prepares graduates for employment in law offices, corporate legal departments, legal services corporations, state government offices, title companies and federal and state courts. Students who have already earned an A.A., A.S., A.A.S., B.A. or B.S. degree can earn the certificate. Students with one of these degrees plus three years of full-time paralegal work experience can earn the Certificate of Achievement.
Recommended Course Sequence
The Paralegal Studies Certificate of Achievement is designed for the person who already has an Associate’s, Bachelor’s degree or higher and three years full time (or part time equivalent) work experience as a paralegal. The Program is approved by the American Bar Association and the college is a member of the American Association for Paralegal Education.
* Holders of A.S. and A.A.S. degrees must show that they have taken 18 credits of general education courses. Holders of A.A. degrees are presumed to have satisfied the general education requirement.
Select a minimum of 7 credits from the following electives - students may choose to take more than 7 credits of electives.
OR
OR
OR
OR
OR
OR
OR
OR
Articulation agreements with public and private institutions offer students who earn the A.A.S. degree the opportunity to transfer all of their coursework to the four-year institution. Students in specialized programs, or who earn an A.A.S. degree should discuss the transfer process with an advisor.
Students must either have a high school diploma or have passed an equivalency examination. Algebra I is a prerequisite for all majors. Algebra I competency may be verified with a passing score on the College’s placement test or completion of the appropriate course.
Once students complete developmental coursework (if needed), the degree can be completed in two years of full-time study. They can shorten the amount of time by taking courses in the summer and winter sessions.
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<li>Through flexible curriculum planning which stresses a balance among General Education courses, law related courses, legal specialty courses, and electives.</li>
<li>Through continual assessment of the need for the program as evidenced by the legal profession’s response to regular surveys and the ability of the program to place graduates.</li>
<li>By keeping the enrollment of the program to a size that will ensure a good student-teacher ratio and give graduates a good chance for paralegal employment. This is determined in the same method as number 2 above.</li>
<li>By providing the program with a well qualified full-time director with the necessary time to devote to the extensive administrative duties of the position.</li>
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Note: For students matriculating in this program, degree credit will not ordinarily be given for any course designated PLS which was completed more than six years prior to completion of the degree program.