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 diploma 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.
Diploma
D25380 REVISED
NC CIP: 22.0302
Day and Evening
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 120 | Legal Research/Writing I | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| LEX 121 | Legal Research/Writing II | 2 | 2 | 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: | 11 | 8 | 0 | 15 | |
Spring Semester
| Course | Course Title | Class Hours | Lab/Shop Hours | Clinical/WBL Hours | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| LEX 140 | Civil Litigation I | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| ___ ___ | LEX Elective | ** | ** | ** | 2 |
| Select one: | |||||
| Interpersonal Psychology | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| OR | |||||
| General Psychology | (3) | (0) | (0) | (3) | |
| Total: | 9 | 0 | 0 | 11 | |
Summer Term
| Course | Course Title | Class Hours | Lab/Shop Hours | Clinical/WBL Hours | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEX 130 | Civil Injuries | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| LEX 141 | Civil Litigation II | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| ___ ___ | LEX Elective I | ** | ** | 0 | 3 |
| ___ ___ | LEX Elective I | ** | ** | 0 | 3 |
| ___ ___ | LEX Elective | ** | ** | ** | 2 |
| Total: | 5 | 2 | 0 | 14 |
Total Credit Hours: 40
Additional Information
This program is open to students who have previously completed a 2 or 4 year degree from an accredited college or university. An official undergraduate transcript must be on file in order to register for any LEX course. Students may take courses in any order, but should consult with their advisor prior to registering for each semester. The diploma course offerings may vary from what is printed above due to enrollment and other factors, so that advising is critical to timely completion of the diploma program.
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).
LEX Electives - Select a minimum of 3 hours from: LEX 150, LEX 210, LEX 240, or LEX 250
LEX Electives - Select a minimum of 7 hours from: LEX 151, LEX 160, LEX 211, LEX 214, LEX 220, LEX 260, LEX 270, LEX 286, WBL 111, WBL 121
**Hours will vary depending on course selection.
D25380 REVISED