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 2020
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 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
| OR | |||||
| Office Applications I | (2) | (2) | (0) | (3) | |
| Total: | 14 | 4 | 0 | 16 | |
Spring Semester
| Course | Course Title | Class Hours | Lab/Shop Hours | Clinical/WBL Hours | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry NEW VERSION | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| LEX 140 | Civil Litigation I REVISED REQUISITE | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| LEX 150 | Commercial Law I REVISED REQUISITE | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| LEX 250 | Wills, Estates, & Trusts REVISED REQUISITE | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Select one: | |||||
| Interpersonal Psychology REVISED REQUISITE | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| OR | |||||
| General Psychology REVISED REQUISITE | (3) | (0) | (0) | (3) | |
| ___ ___ | Paralegal Elective | ** | ** | ** | 3 |
| Total: | 13 | 4 | 0 | 18 | |
Summer Term
| Course | Course Title | Class Hours | Lab/Shop Hours | Clinical/WBL Hours | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEX 120 | Legal Research/Writing I REVISED REQUISITE | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| LEX 121 | Legal Research/Writing II REVISED REQUISITE | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Total: | 4 | 4 | 0 | 6 |
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 and ACC 120, OST 130, 0ST 134 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).
**Hours will vary depending on course selection.
Paralegal Elective: Select 3 hours – LEX 141, LEX 151, LEX 160, LEX 210, LEX 214, LEX 260, LEX 270, LEX 273, WBL 111, WBL 121
D25380 REVISED