Paralegal Technology A.A.S.
A25380
The Paralegal Technology curriculum prepares individuals to work under the supervision of attorneys by performing routine legal tasks and assisting with substantive legal work. A paralegal/legal assistant may not practice law, give legal advice, or represent clients in a court of law.
Coursework includes substantive and procedural legal knowledge in the areas of civil litigation, legal research and writing, real estate, family law, wills, estates, trusts, and commercial law. Required courses also include subjects such as English, mathematics, and computer utilization.
Graduates are trained to assist attorneys in probate work, investigations, public records search, drafting and filing legal documents, research, and office management. Employment opportunities are available in private law firms, governmental agencies, banks, insurance agencies, and other business organizations. Students should consult their advisor for information about course scheduling.
Western Piedmont’s Paralegal Program has been recognized by the North Carolina State Bar Paralegal Certification Board as a Qualified Paralegal Studies Program (QLSP).
Upon successful completion of this program, the student should be able to:
- Use written and oral discussion to discover and to articulate ideas (GE I. 1)
- Identify and state problems, issues, arguments, and questions contained in a body of information (GE II. 1)
- Demonstrate organization and documentation skills
- Demonstrate the ability to locate, retrieve, and interpret public records
- Demonstrate knowledge and application of the ethical standards of the practice of law
- Demonstrate legal research and writing skills
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of relevant substantive and procedural authority
General Education
Required Courses
| ENG 111 | Expository Writing | 3 | FA, SP, SU |
| ENG 112 | Argument-Based Research | 3 | FA, SP, SU |
| ENG 114 | Professional Research & Reporting | 3 | FA, SP, SU |
| MAT 140 | Survey of Mathematics | 3 | FA, SP, SU |
| MAT 140A | Survey of Mathematics Lab | 1 | FA, SP, SU |
Humanities/Fine Arts
Select 3 SHC from the Humanities/Fine Arts list
Social/Behavioral Science
Select 3 SHC from the Social/Behavioral Science list
Major Courses
Core Required Courses
Other Major Required Courses
| ACC 120 | Principles of Financial Accounting | 4 | FA, SP, SU |
| CIS 110 | Introduction to Computers | 3 | FA, SP, SU |
| LEX 121 | Legal Research/Writing II | 3 | SP |
| LEX 141 | Civil Litigation II | 3 | SP |
| LEX 160 | Criminal Law & Procedure | 3 | FA |
| LEX 211 | Real Property II | 3 | SP |
| LEX 280 | Ethics & Professionalism | 2 | FA, SP |
| LEX 286 | Medical Evidence Analysis | 2 | SP, SU |
| OST 136 | Word Processing | 3 | FA, SP, SU |
General Elective
(Select 2 SHC from the following courses)
| LEX 220 | Corporate Law | 2 | FA, SU |
| LEX 260 | Bankruptcy and Collections | 3 | FA, SP |
| LEX 270 | Law Office Management/Technology | 2 | SP |
| LEX 285 | Workers' Compensation Law | 2 | FA, SP |
| COE XXX | Co-op Work Experience (up to 3 SHC) | 3 | |
Total Credit Hours: 70