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PLGC - Paralegal Studies Certificate

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CR Certificate

Program Full Description

The American Bar Association (ABA) has approved Lehigh Carbon Community College 's Paralegal Studies program. This certificate program is designed to meet the needs of the student who presently possesses college credit and is interested in pursuing a career as a paralegal.Admission to the certificate program is limited to students that currently possess 30 semester hours of college credit, with grades of "C" or better for each course, of which 18 credits are distributed in at least three of the following acceptable General Education disciplines: English, Math, Science, Humanities and Social Science. The courses must be liberal arts credits and not technical. Admission is conditional.The growth of the paralegal field provides excellent opportunities for employment and advancement. Qualified graduates of the Paralegal Studies certificate program can be hired by law firms, banks, title companies, real estate firms, corporations, and government agencies. Career possibilities include paralegal supervisor, trust coordinator, title searcher, settlement clerk, litigation specialist, contract coordinator, and a variety of other positions. An individual with legal skills can take those skills into a multitude of positions in the business environment, including but not limited to, 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. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to public except as permitted by law. An internship is available to provide students with practical experience in the paralegal field. The primary goal of the program is to educate students to become paralegals who can 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.

Advisor 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 is 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. If you elect an internship, Paralegal Studies students are responsible for locating and selecting internship placement sites. Students are responsible for presenting credential levels required by the internship site. It is the sole discretion of the internship site and future employers as to what level of credentialing is required by the position roles. Students who possess a “record” status may experience limitations in available internship placements and future employment in the paralegal field. *The student must select nine credits with a PLG prefix from the following list: PLG 125, 135, 225, 227, 228, 230, 235, 240,250 or 252. The other program elective must be selected from the above list or AOT 112, 113 114; CJA 201, 240; ENG 107, HIT 140, RES 110, or any other credit course that is approved by the Paralegal Studies coordinator.

Program Objectives

Program Objective

Accreditation Standard

College-Wide Competency

Apply legal and business skills necessary for a position in a law office, bank, real estate office, government authority, or any position that uses the knowledge of law.

1

#1 Think critically

#2 Communicate effectively

 

#5-Use current technology

Apply soft skills, such as cooperative teamwork, communication skills, and ethical decision-making.

 

2, 4, 9

# 2

Communicate effectively

 

#4 Participate cooperatively within a team

 

#9 Evaluate ethical aspects of decision making

Demonstrate substantive knowledge and procedural knowledge of law.

2

#1 Think critically

 

#3 Apply quantitative reasoning

#4-Participate cooperatively within a team

#9 Evaluate ethical aspects of decision making

Apply the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers and the application to paralegals

1,2,3

#1 Think critically

 

#9 Evaluate ethical aspects of decision making