A QUICK INTRO
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.
WHAT YOU STUDY
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.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Graduates are trained to assist attorneys in probate work, investigations, public records search, 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.
WHAT YOU CAN EARN
For more information about this field, including salary and career pathways, check out this link on our Career Coach assessment tool.
COURSE INFORMATION
Click on title for course description.
FALL SEMESTER 1
| Prefix | No. | Title | Credit |
| ACA | 111 | College Student Success | 1 |
| CIS | 110 | Intro to Computers | 3 |
| ENG | 111 | Writing & Inquiry | 3 |
| LEX | 110 | Intro to Paralegal Study | 2 |
| LEX | 271 | Law Office Writing | 2 |
| MAT | 143 | Quantitative Literacy | 3 |
| Totals | 14 |
SPRING SEMESTER 1
| ENG | 114 | Pro. Research & Reporting | 3 |
| LEX | 120 | Legal Research/Writing I | 3 |
| LEX | 280 | Ethics & Professionalism | 2 |
| OST | 136 | Word Processing | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | |||
| POL | 120 | American Government | 3 |
| PSY | 150 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Totals | 14 | ||
SUMMER SEMESTER
| LEX | 150 | Commercial Law I | 3 |
| LEX | 160 | Criminal Law & Procedure | 3 |
| LEX | 288 | Elder Law | 3 |
| WBL | 111 | Work Based Learning | 1 |
| Totals | 10 |
FALL SEMESTER 2
| LEX | 130 | Civil Injuries | 3 |
| LEX | 140 | Civil Litigation I | 3 |
| LEX | 210 | Real Property I | 3 |
| LEX | 250 | Wills, Estates, & Trusts | 3 |
| OST | 286 | Professional Development | 3 |
| Totals | 15 |
SPRING SEMESTER 2
| ACC | 120 | Principles of Financial Accounting | 4 | ||||
| LEX | 141 | Civil Litigation II | 3 | ||||
| LEX | 240 | Family Law | 3 | ||||
| LEX | 270 | Law Office Management/Technology | 2 | ||||
| Choose one of the following: | |||||||
| HUM | 110 | Technology & Society | 3 | ||||
| HUM | 115 | Critical Thinking | 3 | ||||
| Totals | 15 | ||||||
This program has been designated by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Paralegal Certification as a 'qualified paralegal studies program'. Graduates of this associates degree program may apply to sit for the certification examination offered by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Paralegal Certification to become a NC Certified Paralegal.
Click on title for course description.
FALL SEMESTER 1
| Prefix | No. | Title | Credit |
| LEX | 110 | Intro to Paralegal Study | 2 |
| LEX | 140 | Civil Litigation I | 3 |
| Electives Available in Fall: | |||
| LEX | 130 | Civil Injuries (Torts) | 3 |
| LEX | 210 | Real Property I | 3 |
| LEX | 250 | Wills, Estates & Trusts | 3 |
| Totals | 5-11 | ||
SPRING SEMESTER 1
| LEX | 120 | Legal Research/Writing I | 3 |
| LEX | 270 | Law Office Management | 2 |
| LEX | 280 | Ethics & Professionalism | 2 |
| Electives Available in Spring: | |||
| LEX | 141 | Civil Litigation II | 3 |
| LEX | 240 | Family Law | 3 |
| Totals | 7-13 | ||
SUMMER SEMESTER 1
| Electives Available in Summer: | |||
| LEX | 150 | Commercial Law I | 3 |
| LEX | 160 | Criminal Law & Procedure | 3 |
| LEX | 288 | Elder Law | 3 |
| Totals | 0-6 | ||
*Elective courses - must take 2 electives.
This certificate has been designated by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Paralegal Certification as a “qualified paralegal studies program”. Students must qualify for admission to this certificate by meeting the following requirements:
1. has already earned 15 hours of general education credit hours
2. has already earned an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited college or university
Graduates of this certificate program, which includes 18 credit hours of legal specialty courses, may apply to sit for the certification examination offered by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Paralegal Certification to become an NC Certified Paralegal.
Click on title for course description. Begins Fall 2022.
FALL SEMESTER 1
| Prefix | No. | Title | Credit |
| LEX | 110 | Intro to Paralegal Study | 2 |
| LEX | 210 | Real Property I* | 3 |
| LEX | 271 | Law Office Writing | 2 |
| Totals | 7 |
SPRING SEMESTER 1
| LEX | 120 | Legal Research/Writing I | 3 |
| LEX | 270 | Law Office Management | 2 |
| Totals | 5 |
This certificate does not allow students to sit for the NC Paralegal Certification Exam given by the North Carolina State Bar.
Click on title for course description. Begins Fall 2022.
FALL SEMESTER 1
| Prefix | No. | Title | Credit |
| LEX | 110 | Intro to Paralegal Study | 2 |
| LEX | 140 | Civil Litigation I | 3 |
| Totals | 5 |
SPRING SEMESTER 1
| LEX | 120 | Legal Research & Writing | 3 |
| LEX | 141 | Civil Litigation II | 3 |
| LEX | 270 | Law Office Management | 2 |
| Totals | 7-13 |
This certificate does not allow students to sit for the NC Paralegal Certification Exam given by the North Carolina State Bar.
Click on title for course description. Begins Fall 2022.
FALL SEMESTER 1
| Prefix | No. | Title | Credit |
| LEX | 110 | Intro to Paralegal Study | 2 |
| LEX | 140 | Civil Litigation I | 3 |
| LEX | 271 | Law Office Writing | 2 |
| Totals | 5-11 |
SPRING SEMESTER 1
| LEX | 141 | Civil Litigation II | 3 |
| LEX | 280 | Ethics & Professionalism | 2 |
| Totals | 7-13 |
This certificate does not allow students to sit for the NC Paralegal Certification Exam given by the North Carolina State Bar.
Click on title for course description. Begins Fall 2022.
FALL SEMESTER 1
| Prefix | No. | Title | Credit |
| LEX | 110 | Intro to Paralegal Study | 2 |
| LEX | 130 | Civil Injuries | 3 |
| LEX | 140 | Civil Litigation I | 3 |
| Totals | 8 |
SPRING SEMESTER 1
| LEX | 141 | Civil Litigation II | 3 |
| LEX | 280 | Ethics & Professionalism | 2 |
| Totals | 5 |
*This certificate is also offered to high school students through the Career & College Promise initiative.
This certificate does not allow students to sit for the NC Paralegal Certification Exam given by the North Carolina State Bar.
