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 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.
Upon successful completion of this program, the student should be able to:
- Intelligently articulate the rules of ethics and professional responsibility in the workplace.
- Identify, interpret, and draft documents commonly used in legal proceedings.
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of the judicial system and fundamental legal terms and processes.
- Conduct legal research using both print and electronic research methods.
- Demonstrate the ability to gather critical information by interacting with clients, witnesses, and various practitioners in a professional environment.
A.A.S. in Paralegal Technology (A25380)
Program of Study
Fall Semester | |||
ACA-111 | Collesge Student Success | 1 | |
ENG-111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3 | |
LEX-110 | Intro to Paralegal Study | 2 | |
LEX-150 | Commercial Law I | 3 | |
LEX-250 | Wills, Estates & Trusts | 3 | |
LEX-270 | Law Office Management/Technology | 2 | |
Spring Semester | |||
LEX-120 | Legal Research/Writing I | 3 | |
LEX-140 | Civil Litigation I | 3 | |
LEX-160 | Criminal Law and Procedure | 3 | |
MAT-143 | Quantitative Literacy | 3 | |
! | Major Elective | 3 | |
Summer Semester | |||
CIS-110 | Introduction to computers | 3 | |
** | English Elective | 3 | |
## | Humanities/Fine Arts Elective | 3 | |
# | Social/Behavioral Science Elective | 3 | |
Fall Semester | |||
ACC-120 | Principles of Financial Accounting | 4 | |
LEX-121 | Legal Research/Writing II | 3 | |
LEX-210 | Real Property I | 3 | |
LEX-214 | Investigat. & Trial Prep | 3 | |
WBL-111 | Work-Based Learning I | 1 | |
Spring Semester | |||
LEX-130 | Civil Injuries | 3 | |
LEX-170 | Administrative Law | 2 | |
LEX-211 | Real Property II | 3 | |
LEX-240 | Family Law | 3 | |
LEX-260 | Bankruptcy & Collections | 3 | |
LEX-280 | Ethics & Professionalism | 2 |
** English Electives – COM 231, ENG 114
# Social/Behavioral Science Electives – HIS 121, HIS 122, HIS 131, HIS 132, HIS 221, PSY 150, PSY 281, SOC 210
## Humanities/Fine Arts Electives – ART 111, PHI 210, HUM 115, MUS 110, REL 110.
! Major Electives – BUS 115, BUS 260, CJC 214, CJC 231, OST 131, OST 134, OST 136, OST 149, OST 164, SPA 120
Paralegal Technology Diploma (D25380)
Program of Study
The Paralegal Technology Diploma prepares graduates to assist attorneys in probate work, investigations, public records search, drafting and filing legal documents, research, and office management.
Fall Semester | ||
ACA-111 | Collesge Student Success | 1 |
LEX-110 | Intro to Paralegal Study | 2 |
LEX-150 | Commercial Law I | 3 |
LEX-250 | Wills, Estates & Trusts | 3 |
LEX-270 | Law Office Management/Technology | 2 |
OST-131 | Keyboarding | 2 |
OST-164 | Office Editing | 3 |
Spring Semester | ||
LEX-120 | Legal Research/Writing I | 3 |
LEX-140 | Civil Litigation I | 3 |
LEX-160 | Criminal Law and Procedure | 3 |
OST-134 | Text Entry and Formatting | 3 |
Summer Semester | ||
CIS-110 | Introduction to computers | 3 |
ENG-111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3 |
PSY-150 | General Psychology | 3 |
Paralegal Certificate (C25380)
Program of Study
The Paralegal Technology Certificate prepares graduates to assist attorneys in probate work, investigations, public records search, drafting and filing legal documents, research, and office management.
LEX-110 | Intro to Paralegal Study | 2 |
LEX-150 | Commercial Law I | 3 |
LEX-210 | Real Property I | 3 |
LEX-270 | Law Office Management/Technology | 2 |
LEX-120 | Legal Research/Writing I | 3 |
LEX-140 | Civil Litigation I | 3 |
LEX-280 | Ethics & Professionalism | 2 |
Students entering or applying to enter certain programs of study should be aware that completion of the program, licensure, certification, and/or employment may be affected if they have a prior criminal record. Programs where a student’s prior criminal record may come into question include, but are not limited to: Allied Health programs, Basic Law Enforcement Training, Criminal Justice Technology, Early Childhood Education, Paralegal Technology, and Emergency Medical Services.
Community agencies that provide opportunities for sponsorship, practicums, internships, or clinical experience may require criminal background checks. If the participating agency will not accept the student because of a criminal record, the student may be unable to continue in the program. Students completing certain programs of study may be prohibited from obtaining credentials 46 or licenses due to a criminal record. In such cases, the actual violation and the length of time since that violation may be a deciding factor. In some cases, employers may be required by law to perform a criminal background check prior to employment. The College conducts pre-employment criminal background checks on all eligible applicants for Federal Work Study positions.
Earn College Credit in High School
A CCP pathway for high school juniors and seniors is available for this program. Visit the Career and College Promise page for more information.
The Career and College Promise (CCP) Program provides opportunities for eligible high school students to start college early, where courses can count for dual credit (credit in the high school and college at the same time), all TUITION-FREE! CCP students accelerate completion of college certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees that provide entry-level job skills and/or lead to college transfer credit.
This program has been designated by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Paralegal Certification as a “qualified paralegal studies program”. Graduates of this program may apply to sit for the certification examination offered by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Paralegal Certification to become a North Carolina Certified Paralegal.
Out-of-state students seeking to enroll in a program or course leading to professional licensure or certification should contact Allisha Hicks, Dean of Business and Applied Technologies to discuss enrollment and professional licensure options available. Students may view the Professional Licensure information page to learn more.
Paralegal Instructor
Department: Faculty
Phone: (252) 246-1304
Email: wsolomon@wilsoncc.edu
Office: G230
Dean of Business and Applied Technologies
Department: Faculty
Phone: (252) 246-1339
Email: ahicks@wilsoncc.edu
Office: G207a