Skip to Main Content

PLG - Paralegal Studies A.A.S.

Download as PDF

CRApplied Associate of Science

Program Full Description

LCCC's Paralegal Studies is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) and, because of growth in the paralegal field, provides excellent opportunities for employment and advancement. Qualified graduates of the Paralegal Studies program can be hired by law firms, banks, title companies, real estate firms, and corporations. Career possibilities include paralegal supervisor, trust coordinator, title searcher, settlement clerk, litigation specialist, contract coordinator, and a variety of other positions. Individuals with legal skills take these skills into a multitude of positions in the business environment, including human resources, records management, legal support, and government. LCCC's Paralegal Studies is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) and, because of growth in the paralegal field, provides excellent opportunities for employment and advancement. Qualified graduates of the Paralegal Studies program can be hired by law firms, banks, title companies, real estate firms, and corporations. Career possibilities include paralegal supervisor, trust coordinator, title searcher, settlement clerk, litigation specialist, contract coordinator, and a variety of other positions. Individuals with legal skills take these skills into a multitude of positions in the business environment, including human resources, records management, legal support, and government. Students will gain an understanding of what paralegals can accomplish, as well as the limitations imposed by the unauthorized practice of law statute. Internships provide students with practical experience in the paralegal field. Students may also transfer credits to various four-year colleges or universities toward a bachelors degree. The primary goal of the program is to educate students to become paralegals who perform effectively in a variety of legal settings and adapt to changes in the legal environment and law practice. The program prepares students for careers as paralegals working under the supervision of lawyers in either the public or private sectors, as well as striving to encourage and facilitate graduates to pursue advanced degrees. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to public except as permitted by law. Through a collaborative program of study between LCCC and Kutztown University, LCCC's Paralegal Studies graduates may transfer to Kutztown University to major in English, Political Science, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, History, and Psychology.

Advisor Notes

Required Electives *The student must select three credits with a PLG prefix from the following list: PLG 125, 135, 225, 227, 228, PLG 229, 230, 235, 240, or 252. The other program elective must be selected from the above list or AOT 112, 113, 114, CJA 201, 240, ENG 107, 111, HIT 140, or any other credit course that the Paralegal Studies coordinator approves.

Program Notes: Up to nine PLG credits will be accepted for transfer into LCCC’s PLG program from an ABA-approved program. PLG 200 must be completed at LCCC. PLG credit by assessment is limited to three credits. Total PLG transfer credit and credit by assessment are limited to nine credits. Students entering the program should have basic keyboarding skills and the ability to type 40 wpm. If a student does not have these skills, the student should enroll in AOT 112, 113, and 114 in the first semester of admission to the program.

Program Objectives

Program Objective

*Accreditation Standard

College-Wide Competency

#1: Apply legal drafting and technology skills necessary for any position in a law office, bank, real estate office, government authority, or any position that involves substantive and procedural knowledge and application of law.

#1: G-301 The institution must maintain a program for the education of paralegals that is designed to qualify its graduates to be employed in law-related occupations.

#2: G-302 The program of education for paralegals must be:

(a) At the postsecondary level of instruction;

(b) At least sixty semester hours, or equivalent, which must include general education and legal specialty courses;

(c) Offered by an institution accredited by an institutional accrediting 23 agency acceptable to the committee.

#3: G-303 The institution must have available a library adequate for its program of education of paralegals.

#1: Think critically

#2: Communicate effectively

#5: Use current technology

#2: Demonstrate substantive knowledge and procedural knowledge of law.

#1: G-301 The institution must maintain a program for the education of paralegals that is designed to qualify its graduates to be employed in law-related occupations.

#2: G-302 The program of education for paralegals must be:

(a) At the postsecondary level of instruction;

(b) At least sixty semester hours, or equivalent, which must include general education and legal specialty courses;

(c) Offered by an institution accredited by an institutional accrediting 23 agency acceptable to the committee.

#3: G-303 The institution must have available a library adequate for its program of education of paralegals.

#2: Communicate effectively

#3: Apply quantitative reasoning 

#5: Use current technology

#9: Evaluate ethical aspects of decision making

#3: Apply soft skills, such as working as a team member, critical thinking, communication skills, and ethical decision-making.

#1: G-301 The institution must maintain a program for the education of paralegals that is designed to qualify its graduates to be employed in law-related occupations.

#2: G-302 The program of education for paralegals must be:

(a) At the postsecondary level of instruction;

(b) At least sixty semester hours, or equivalent, which must include general education and legal specialty courses;

(c) Offered by an institution accredited by an institutional accrediting 23 agency acceptable to the committee.

#3: G-303 The institution must have available a library adequate for its program of education of paralegals.

#1: Think critically

#4: Participate cooperatively within a team

#5: Use current technology

#9: Evaluate ethical aspects of decision making

#4: Apply the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers and their application to paralegals

#1: G-301 The institution must maintain a program for the education of paralegals that is designed to qualify its graduates to be employed in law-related occupations.

#2: G-302 The program of education for paralegals must be:

(a) At the postsecondary level of instruction;

(b) At least sixty semester hours, or equivalent, which must include general education and legal specialty courses;

(c) Offered by an institution accredited by an institutional accrediting 23 agency acceptable to the committee.

#3: G-303 The institution must have available a library adequate for its program of education of paralegals.

#1: Think critically

#9: Evaluate ethical aspects of decision making

*Approval Standards for the ABA Paralegal programs can be found at the ABA's website.

*Please note: G-301, G-302, and G-303 relate to all program objectives. The headings listed above are provided for organizational purposes and are not intended to be exhaustive.