Paralegal Technology REVISED
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
NC CIP: 22.0302
Day, Evening
POS Approved: Fall 2025
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 130 | Civil Injuries | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| LEX 240 | Family Law | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| LEX 280 | Ethics & Professionalism | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Select one: | |||||
| Freshman Composition | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| OR | |||||
| Writing and Inquiry | (3) | (0) | (0) | (3) | |
| Total: | 15 | 2 | 0 | 16 | |
Spring Semester
| Course | Course Title | Class Hours | Lab/Shop Hours | Clinical/WBL Hours | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEX 121 | Legal Research/Writing II | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| LEX 140 | Civil Litigation I | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| LEX 150 | Commercial Law I | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| LEX 160 | Criminal Law & Procedure | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| LEX 250 | Wills, Estates, & Trusts | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| OST 137 | Office Applications I | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Total: | 13 | 10 | 0 | 18 |
Summer Term
| Course | Course Title | Class Hours | Lab/Shop Hours | Clinical/WBL Hours | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIS 110 | Introduction to Computers | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Select one: | |||||
| Interpersonal Psychology | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| OR | |||||
| General Psychology (Global) | (3) | (0) | (0) | (3) | |
| Total: | 5 | 2 | 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 advising is critical to the timely completion of the diploma program.
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).
D25380