Program Details
Program Details

Program Details

Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal Studies

Associate of Applied Science
Mountain Empire Community College

The Paralegal Studies Degree is designed to prepare individuals to work in a legal office environment. The program provides training in the general processes of American law and the knowledge/skills to perform specific legal tasks under the supervision of an attorney. In addition, the program helps prepare individuals for paralegal certification exams.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate effective communication skills through interaction, in person, by telephone, in written and electronic correspondence, with lawyers, clients, witnesses, court personnel, co-workers, and other business professionals, using appropriate legal terminology and formatting.
2. Perform basic legal research and analysis necessary to identify legal issues and potential solutions to legal problems.
3. Utilize strong organizational skills necessary to sort through and manage information, manually and electronically.
4. Apply principles of writing and rules of English grammar to all writing tasks, to be able to prepare legal documents commonly used in the profession.
5. Demonstrate competent understanding of computer literacy and proficiency required in the typical law office.
6. Apply ethical and professional principles that guide paralegal conduct, including but not limited to: unauthorized practice of law and lawyer supervision of non-lawyers; confidentiality and attorney-client privilege; conflicts of interests; competency; handling of client funds; office decorum and dress.
7. Integrate appropriate skills to work effectively and positively with others beginning on the first day of a new job.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
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External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree The Paralegal Studies program is designed to prepare individuals to work in a legal office environment. The program provides training in the general processes of American law and the knowledge and skills to perform specific legal tasks under the supervision of an attorney. In addition, the program helps prepare individuals for paralegal certification exams.
Program Requirement Notes
Program Requirement Notes

An academic advisor will review your preparation in Mathematics and English with you. You’ll be guided to appropriate preliminary coursework to give you the greatest chance of success in this program.
Considerations When Selecting Courses

An academic advisor will review your preparation in Mathematics and English with you. You’ll be guided to appropriate preliminary coursework to give you the greatest chance of success in this program.

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Mountain Empire Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree Students will have opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills required to perform a variety of specialized duties with competence and understanding. The Paralegal Studies Degree will help prepare students for a wide range of entry-level positions as a paraprofessional in the legal field with opportunities in law firms, mortgage companies, banks, title insurance companies, private corporations, and government and administrative agencies.
Program Successes & Highlights
Program Credit Requirements
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Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. lf you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal Studies
65
Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies Degree
65
Course Requirements for 260
65
Core Requirments for 260
65
SDV 101
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
AST 141
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ENG 111
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 110
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
MKT 170
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
ITE 152
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
LGL 117
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
MTH 132
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
BUS 240
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
LGL 115
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 216
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 218
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PLS 135
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
LGL 230
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 222
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 290
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Humanities EEE
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
LGL 120
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
AST 265
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 200
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 127
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
AST 205
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
AST 101
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ITE 175
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 195
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Residency
65
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 48 credits may be applied to this program.
Plan GPA for 260
65
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion The transfer education program, which includes freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences and pre-professional education, allows students to transfer into baccalaureate degree programs and four-year colleges and universities.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School The transfer education program, which includes freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences and pre-professional education, allows students to transfer into baccalaureate degree programs and four-year colleges and universities.
Credit for Prior Learning VCCS Policy 5.6.5.1
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Mountain Empire Community College
College Level Information
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Transfer Admission Application
Transfer Students - Apply Here
External Link
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? Mountain Empire Community College’s mission is to provide our region with accessible, quality higher education, workforce training, and community programs to ensure an educated population and globally competitive workforce.
Transfer Student Catalog Year
First Year Student Catalog Year The catalog year is based on the admission term that the student applies for.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies - General Practice SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies - Litigation SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in Business Administration- Paralegal Studies SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal StudiesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearHybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeParalegal Studies, A.A.S.AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Paralegal StudiesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - Paralegal StudiesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Regent UniversityB.S. in Paralegal StudiesBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearOnline
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
23-2099.00Legal Support Workers, All OtherAll legal support workers not listed separately.Legal Occupations
23-2011.00Paralegals and Legal AssistantsAssist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.Legal Occupations
23-2093.00Title Examiners, Abstractors, and SearchersSearch real estate records, examine titles, or summarize pertinent legal or insurance documents or details for a variety of purposes. May compile lists of mortgages, contracts, and other instruments pertaining to titles by searching public and private records for law firms, real estate agencies, or title insurance companies.Legal Occupations
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 65 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal Studies at Mountain Empire Community College
These costs are based on an estimated 4 semesters or 2 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $167 Per Credit $10,855 $0 $10,855
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.