Effective: Fall 2016
The Paralegal Studies, Certificate of Proficiency Program can only be completed by individuals who hold an associate or bachelor’s degree, as this is an advanced certificate. If you do not hold one of these degrees, we invite you to select our Associates in Applied Science, Paralegal Studies.
This program is approved by The American Bar Association (ABA). The Certificate in Paralegal Studies is intended to provide graduates with a strong foundation in the areas of legal research and writing, contracts, torts, criminal law and property law. Graduates are likely to find employment as paralegals under the direction of attorneys (to do otherwise would be practicing law without a license) in law firms, legal departments of large corporations, insurance companies, title companies, legal service companies and federal, state or local courts and governmental agencies.
Unauthorized Practice Law: No person shall engage or assist a person who is not a member of the bar in the performance of activities that constitute the unauthorized practice of law.
Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Conduct legal research to identify the appropriate laws, judicial decisions, regulations and other legal literature to specific legal problems and use critical thinking to analyze results of such research.
- Draft memoranda, briefs and other legal documents applicable to the field of law being studied.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the paralegal’s role in trial preparation, trial proceedings and settlement negotiations.
- Investigate and develop the facts of a case, maintain relevant case files and maintain and organize relevant case file documents, such as correspondence, pleadings, reports and briefs
- Identify and analyze the ethical issues that arise for the Paralegal Professional.
- Apply modern technology to the performance of legal work and tasks.
The College will award a certificate of proficiency to students who complete 30 credits of an approved career program. These credits will not normally include physical education, developmental, basic and/or continuing education courses and will usually consist of 24 credits in the career specialty and six credits in general education. At least 15 of the credits must be earned at Delaware County Community College. The student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
| First Semester | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| LGL 100 | Introduction to Legal and Paralegal Studies | 3 |
| LGL 110 | Legal Research and Writing I | 3 |
| LGL 130 | Technology in the Law | 3 |
| LGL 240 | Criminal Law and Procedure | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| LGL 120 | Legal Research and Writing II | 3 |
| LGL 140 | Contract Law | 3 |
| LGL 220 | Real Estate Law | 3 |
| LGL Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| LGL 210 | Civil Litigation and Tort Principles | 3 |
| LGL 199 or LGL 197 | Legal Experience and Ethics or Legal Practicum and Ethics | 3-4 |
| Hours | 6-7 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| LGL 211 | Civil Litigation and Tort Applications | 3 |
| ACC 100 | Applied Accounting | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 36-37 | |
Notes
LGL Elective:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select six (6) credits from: | ||
| LGL 200 | Family Law | 3 |
| LGL 230 | Will, Trusts, and Estates | 3 |
| LGL 241 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LGL 242 | Business Organizations | 3 |
| LGL 243 | Bankruptcy Law | 3 |
| LGL 244 | Labor and Employment Law | 3 |
| LGL 246 | Elder Law | 3 |
A maximum of twelve (12) PLG (legal specialty) credits may be transferred in from an ABA accredited college or university.
No more than nine (9) specialty credits may be awarded for Credit for Prior Learning assessment by portfolio or exam.
Students must take at least nine (9) semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.
| First Semester | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| LGL 100 | Introduction to Legal and Paralegal Studies | 3 |
| LGL 110 | Legal Research and Writing I | 3 |
| LGL 130 | Technology in the Law | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| LGL 240 | Criminal Law and Procedure | 3 |
| LGL 120 | Legal Research and Writing II | 3 |
| LGL 140 | Contract Law | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| LGL 220 | Real Estate Law | 3 |
| LGL Elective | 3 | |
| LGL 210 | Civil Litigation and Tort Principles | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| ACC 100 | Applied Accounting | 3 |
| LGL 199 or LGL 197 |
Legal Experience and Ethics or Legal Practicum and Ethics |
3-4 |
| LGL 211 | Civil Litigation and Tort Applications | 3 |
| Hours | 9-10 | |
| Total Hours | 36-37 | |
LGL Elective:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select six (6) credits from: | ||
| LGL 200 | Family Law | 3 |
| LGL 230 | Will, Trusts, and Estates | 3 |
| LGL 241 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LGL 242 | Business Organizations | 3 |
| LGL 243 | Bankruptcy Law | 3 |
| LGL 244 | Labor and Employment Law | 3 |
| LGL 246 | Elder Law | 3 |
A maximum of twelve (12) PLG (legal specialty) credits may be transferred in from an ABA accredited college or university.
No more than nine (9) specialty credits may be awarded for Credit for Prior Learning assessment by portfolio or exam.
Students must take at least nine (9) semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.
This program is approved by The American Bar Association (ABA). The Certificate in Paralegal Studies is intended to provide graduates with a strong foundation in the areas of legal research and writing, contracts, torts, criminal law and property law. Graduates are likely to find employment as paralegals under the direction of attorneys (to do otherwise would be practicing law without a license) in law firms, legal departments of large corporations, insurance companies, title companies, legal service companies and federal, state or local courts and governmental agencies.
Unauthorized Practice Law: No person shall engage or assist a person who is not a member of the bar in the performance of activities that constitute the unauthorized practice of law.