Paralegal Technology
Curriculum Description
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.
Course work 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 searches, 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.
The following represents one way in which the program of study can be completed. Students who aren’t able to follow the recommended curriculum model below should consult their academic advisor to be sure that they take courses in the best order for their success.
Associate in Applied Science
A25380 REVISED
NC CIP: 22.0302
Day
POS Approved: Fall 2016
Fall Semester
| Course | Course Title | Class Hours | Lab/Shop Hours | Clinical/WBL Hours | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEX 110 | Intro to Paralegal Study | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| LEX 130 | Civil Injuries | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| LEX 240 | Family Law | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| LEX 280 | Ethics & Professionalism | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| OST 130 | Comprehensive Keyboarding | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Select one: | |||||
| Introduction to Computers REVISED 2016FA | (2) | (2) | (0) | (3) | |
| OR | |||||
| Basic PC Literacy | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| Total: | 13 | 4 | 0 | 15 | |
Spring Semester
| Course | Course Title | Class Hours | Lab/Shop Hours | Clinical/WBL Hours | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEX 140 | Civil Litigation I | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| LEX 150 | Commercial Law I | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| LEX 250 | Wills, Estates, & Trusts | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Select one: | |||||
| Mathematical Measurement and Literacy | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
| OR | |||||
| Quantitative Literacy | (2) | (2) | (0) | (3) | |
| Total: | 12 | 6 | 0 | 15 | |
Summer Term
| Course | Course Title | Class Hours | Lab/Shop Hours | Clinical/WBL Hours | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACC 120 | Prin of Financial Accounting | 3 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| ENG 114 | Prof Research & Reporting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| ___ ___ | Paralegal Elective 1 | ** | ** | ** | 3 |
| ___ ___ | Paralegal Elective 1 | ** | ** | ** | 3 |
| Total: | 6 | 2 | 0 | 13 |
Fall Semester
| Course | Course Title | Class Hours | Lab/Shop Hours | Clinical/WBL Hours | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEX 120 | Legal Research/Writing I | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| LEX 121 | Legal Research/Writing II | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| LEX 210 | Real Property I | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| OST 134 | Text Entry & Formatting | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| ___ ___ | Humanities/Fine Arts Elective | ** | ** | 0 | 3 |
| Total: | 9 | 6 | 0 | 15 |
Spring Semester
| Course | Course Title | Class Hours | Lab/Shop Hours | Clinical/WBL Hours | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Select one: | |||||
| Interpersonal Psychology | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| OR | |||||
| General Psychology | (3) | (0) | (0) | (3) | |
| ___ ___ | Paralegal Elective 2 | ** | ** | ** | 3 |
| Total: | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | |
Total Credit Hours: 64
Additional Information
A student must receive a grade of C or higher in any LEX course in order to receive credit for that course towards an Associate In Applied Science degree in Paralegal Technology or a diploma in Paralegal Technology.
The North Carolina State Bar Board of Paralegal Certification has designated the Forsyth Technical Community College Paralegal degree and diploma programs as NC Qualified Paralegal Studies Programs. This designation qualifies all graduates of the degree and diploma programs to take the NCCP exam, provided they have taken at least 10 semester credit hours of legal education, or the equivalent, of classroom instruction (live, real-time, simultaneous broadcast via satellite or webinar).
Keyboarding recommended at admission.
Paralegal Elective 1 – Select 6 credit hours: LEX 141, LEX 151, LEX 160, LEX 214, LEX 260
Paralegal Elective 2 – Select 3 credit hours: LEX 211, LEX 220, LEX 270, LEX 286, WBL 111, WBL 115, WBL 121
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective – Select one: ART 111, ENG 131, ENG 231, ENG 241, ENG 273, HUM 110, HUM 121, HUM 220, PHI 240 or REL 110. Consult an academic advisor concerning other possible electives.
**Hours will vary depending on course selection.
A25380 REVISED