Paralegal Certificate

Program Checklist (opens a new window) |

Students must have an associate or baccalaureate degree to enter this certificate program.

Semester Sequence

This is a suggested full-time schedule for a student who has completed any developmental course work and has no transfer credits.

Fall Semester Year 1*

LGST 103 - Legal Research & Writing I 3 Credit(s).
LGST 104 - Law Office Practices/Legal Ethics 4 Credit(s).
LGST 201 - Civil Litigation - Practice and Procedure 3 Credit(s).
Program Electives 6 Credits.
For courses requiring LGST 103 as a prerequisite in the first semester, please contact the Department Chair, Donna S. Mandl, dmandl@ccbcmd.edu.

Spring Semester Year 1

LGST 207 - Torts 3 Credit(s).
LGST 217 - Business Organization and Contracts 3 Credit(s).
LGST 230 - Legal Research and Writing II 3 Credit(s).
LGST 273 - Internship-Legal Studies 3 Credit(s).
Program Elective 3 Credits.

Program Requirements and Electives - 31 Credits

Program Requirements:

LGST 103 , LGST 104 , LGST 201 , LGST 207 , LGST 217 , and LGST 230 are legal specialty classes.**

LGST 103 - Legal Research & Writing I 3 Credit(s).
LGST 104 - Law Office Practices/Legal Ethics 4 Credit(s).
LGST 201 - Civil Litigation - Practice and Procedure 3 Credit(s).
LGST 207 - Torts 3 Credit(s).
LGST 217 - Business Organization and Contracts 3 Credit(s).
LGST 230 - Legal Research and Writing II 3 Credit(s).
LGST 273 - Internship-Legal Studies 3 Credit(s).

Program Electives:

Choose a total of 9 credits from the following list.

LGST 108 , LGST 202 , LGST 203 , LGST 205 , LGST 206 , LGST 208 , LGST 209 , and LGST 225 are legal specialty classes.**

LGST 101 - Introduction to Law 3 Credit(s).
LGST 108 - Real Estate Law 3 Credit(s).
LGST 126 - Vehicle Laws and Accident Investigation 3 Credit(s).
or
CRJU 126 - Vehicle Laws and Accident Investigation 3 Credit(s).
LGST 128 - Civil Rights and Civil Liberties 3 Credit(s).
or
CRJU 128 - Civil Rights and Civil Liberties 3 Credit(s).
LGST 191-193 - Special Projects in Legal Studies 1-3 Credit(s).
LGST 202 - Criminal Law and Procedure 3 Credit(s).
LGST 203 - Estates and Trusts 3 Credit(s).
LGST 205 - Administrative Law 3 Credit(s).
LGST 206 - Family Law 3 Credit(s).
LGST 208 - Worker’s Compensation 3 Credit(s).
LGST 209 - Employment Law 3 Credit(s).
LGST 225 - Bankruptcy & Debt Collection 3 Credit(s).

Total Credits Required for Certificate: 31*

Notes

*Students are not required to take ACDV 101 in their first semester at CCBC since possession of a two-year or four-year degree is needed for admission into this program.

**The American Bar Association requires that students must complete 10 credits of instruction in legal specialty courses through face to face instruction or a combination of hybrid and face to face instruction. Also, students who want to transfer in legal specialty classes from other institutions should refer to the Transfer Credit Policy for additional information.

NOTE: The Legal Studies courses were formerly designated as PALG.

Program Description

The certificate in Paralegal Studies is designed for students who already have an associate or baccalaureate degree, and would like to start a career as a paralegal. Students without a degree are encouraged to enroll in the Legal Studies A.A.S. degree program.

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

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of this certificate, students will be able to:

promote a basic understanding of legal concepts and terms on a broad range of subjects which are essential to the practice of law;
develop and strengthen writing, research, analytical, and communication skills;
develop a general understanding of the principles of ethical and professional responsibility as they apply to the roles of lawyers and paralegals; and
combine legal theory and practical skills so that the graduate can fully assist the lawyer in the practice of law.

Other

General Education Policy

The certificate in Paralegal Studies is designed for students who have an A.A., A.S., A.A.S.*, or baccalaureate degree and would like to start a career as a paralegal. Previous degree must have at least 18 semester credits of general education course work and must meet certain requirements for writing proficiency, oral communication skills, and breadth of study.

* A.A.S. students must consult the Department Chair.

Transfer Credit Policy

It is the policy of the Legal Studies program to accept legal specialty transfer credits from accredited institutions, subject to the following provisions.

Degree and certificate students must complete a minimum of 12 legal specialty credits at CCBC. CCBC will accept a maximum of 75% of the program credits for a degree or certificate through transfer or other types of prior learning assessments. Courses completed by portfolio or credit by examination will not be considered for transfer as legal specialty courses. Students must complete a minimum of 25% at CCBC, of which a minimum of 12 credits must be CCBC legal specialty credits.

Consideration for transfer credit will only be given to courses in which the student earned a grade of “C” or better. For legal specialty courses completed in any format other than traditional face to face instruction, acceptance of transfer credits will also be subject to Department Chair verifying that the student has or will be completing a minimum of 10 credits of legal specialty coursework through traditional face to face classroom instruction.

Students seeking to transfer legal specialty credits must meet with the Legal Studies Department Chair. The student must provide an official transcript listing the legal specialty course, the date the course was taken, the grade earned, and the number of credits received for the course. The student must also provide a catalog description and/or a course syllabus, which indicates the format in which the course was taken (accelerated, traditional, hybrid, online, independent study, etc.), and be able to discuss the goals and objectives completed during the course. The length of time between when a legal specialty course was completed and the date a student is requesting transfer of the credit to CCBC will be a factor used by the Department Chair in deciding whether or not to accept the legal specialty credits.

If it is determined that the course is sufficiently similar to a legal specialty course in the CCBC program and all of the foregoing requirements are met, the Department Chair will notify the CCBC Records and Registration Office to accept the transferred course as a substitute for the legal specialty course. Final decision on the acceptance of transfer credit for legal specialty courses is made by the Legal Studies Department Chair. Credits earned for prior learning or by examination will not be accepted for transfer of legal specialty credits.

The following courses are considered legal specialty courses: LGST 103, LGST 104, LGST 108, LGST 201, LGST 202, LGST 203, LGST 205, LGST 206, LGST 207, LGST 208, LGST 209, LGST 217, LGST 225, and LGST 230.

The Legal Studies transfer credit policy is subject to change without notice due to changes in requirements from the American Bar Association, Standing Committee on Paralegals. For the most recent transfer credit policy, please contact the Department Chair, Donna S. Mandl, dmandl@ccbcmd.edu.

Gainful Employment Disclosure

http://www.ccbcmd.edu/migrate/gainfulemployment/paralegal studies.html