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Paralegal Studies Degree

Associate of Applied Science
Paralegal Studies AAS Degree

MC's Paralegal Studies Program is approved by the American Bar Association. MC’s associate's degree will provide you with a general knowledge of the American legal system and concentrated knowledge on various aspects of law. You will gain basic skills in legal research, legal writing, interviewing, law office administration, and knowledge of legal ethics. Through coursework, you will learn to prepare and interpret legal documents and analyze procedures and processes. The curriculum offers options to focus on various areas of the law such as contract law, tort law, criminal law, immigration law, and family law. This curriculum will expose you to the new and growing fields within the legal system to include cyber law, health law, eDiscovery, and alternative dispute resolution. MC students also have the opportunity to participate in an internship to gain additional experience in a law related setting.

A paralegal is a trained specialist who can manage a law office operation under the supervision of an attorney, relieving a practicing attorney of those routine components of managing legal cases that require knowledge of the legal process and assisting the attorney with handling of complicated legal issues. The paralegal also assists the attorney in legal research and in preparing and interpreting legal documents. The paralegal will analyze procedural problems through the selection, compilation, and use of technical information from various legal references.

本课程是为那些对律师助理职业生涯感兴趣的人设计的。这些职业包括:在律师事务所和法院、劳教、政府机构和公司工作。本课程也为目前受雇于私人律师事务所、企业和政府法律部门的律师助理设计，他们希望提高自己的技能，以实现职业发展。

Note: Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.

ABA Approved logo

项目的结果

Upon completion of this program a student will be able to:

  • Describe the ethical responsibilities of members of the legal profession.
  • Explain the basic concepts and procedures of various areas of law within the U.S. legal system including the operation of the U.S. legal system.
  • Perform effective legal research utilizing traditional and digital research methodologies.
  • Communicate with attorneys and clients utilizing effective writing and oral communication skills.
  • Draft and interpret various legal documents.
  • Utilize technologies currently associated with the modern practice of law.
  • 描述与现代律师事务所的运作和管理相关的职能。
  • Apply critical thinking skills to identify, analyze, and interpret legal and factual issues.


Program Advising

Meet with your academic advisor regularly to discuss your academic plans and make sure you are on track to graduate and/or transfer.

Transfer Opportunities

MC has a long history of successfully preparing students for transfer to four-year institutions.See all transfer agreements.

Careers

For some positions listed, a bachelor's degree or higher may be required. Use theCareer and Program Explorer查看此职业领域的完整报告。查看下面图表的链接以获得进一步的指导和/或联系项目顾问来讨论职业目标。

In additional to law firms, the federal government, local governments, corporations, banks, insurance companies, title companies, and many other organizations seek to hire talented, formally-trained paralegals and legal assistants. According toBLSnew window, "Employment of legal occupations is projected to grow 7 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations, which will result in about 93,300 new jobs. As law firms try to increase the efficiency of legal services and reduce their costs, there is expected to be strong demand to hire many more paralegals and legal assistants. Additionally, the demand for lawyers is expected to continue as individuals, businesses, and governments require legal services in many areas."

  • MC Student Employment Services: Speak with the Student Employment Specialist for help with resume writing, interviewing, setting up aCollege Central Network (CCN)new windowaccount and other job search topics.
  • Career Coach: Explore Career Coach to learn more about this career and/or discover related majors and in-demand careers based on your current interests! Take a Career Assessment and then browse careers and job opportunities in the area.

Curriculum

Suggested Course Sequence: Paralegal Studies

A suggested course sequence for students follows.

  • All students should review the advising guide andconsult an advisor.
  • Find out about related programs and course in theFields of Studysection.
  • Most courses have either assessment levels that must be met or prerequisites (courses that must be taken first). Part-time students and those who need to meet assessment levels or take prerequisite courses will take longer to complete a degree. An advisor will help make sure you are taking your courses in the right order.
  • All degree-seeking students must take a central group ofGeneral Educationcourses in English, mathematics, arts, behavioral and social sciences, humanities, and science. These courses are included in the suggested course sequence below.


Suggested Course Sequence

A suggested course sequence for full time students follows. All students should review theProgram Advising Guideandconsult an advisor.

First Semester

Second Semester

Third Semester

Fourth Semester

  • Natural Sciences Distribution with Lab4 semester hours (NSLD)
  • LGST Electives 11 semester hours

*ENGL 101/ENGL 101A, if need forENGL 102/ENGL 103, or any 200 Level LGST course.


Get Started: Apply and Register

Related Programs and Courses

General Studies Degree

Students who major ingeneral studiesexplore personal, professional, and academic areas of interest within a flexible framework supporting transfer.

Workforce Development and Continuing Education

MC offers a wide variety ofnoncredit classes. These courses are designed to help you upgrade your skills, pursue career training, or learn something new.

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