Associate's Degree Program
In addition to the
Certificate Program
and the
Bachelor's Degree Program,
National Paralegal College offers a course of study leading to an associate's degree in paralegal studies. This program is suitable for students who seek a broad-based foundation in legal studies and business, as well as for students who would like to use their paralegal training as a stepping-stone to a bachelor's degree.
The amount of time required to complete the associate's degree program varies with student course load, as illustrated below.
| For students taking 3 courses at a time: |
15 months |
| For students taking 2 courses at a time: |
21 months |
| For students taking 1 course at a time: |
41 months |
To earn an associate's degree, a student must earn a total of 60 credits, as follows:
* These courses have recommended prerequisites.
** These courses have required prerequisites.
Click the course name for more information.
NOTE: Students may substitute up to three general education courses with additional legal specialty courses from the list above.
Upon successful completion of the Associate of Paralegal Studies degree program, students will be able to:
- Locate and apply relevant state and federal statutes from every jurisdiction.
- Research applicable federal and state case law using LexisNexis or a similar online legal database for any relevant issue.
- Draft basic legal documents such as complaints, answers, contracts, etc. from scratch or from an existing template.
- Perform legal tasks in an ethical manner in accordance with the Model Rules of Professional Conduct.
- Avoid unauthorized practice of law by distinguishing between tasks that must be done by an attorney and those that can be done by a legal assistant.
- Prepare and write legal memoranda, motions, and other court documents for review by an attorney.
- Assist in the civil litigation process by conducting various investigative and discovery-related tasks.
- Draft interoffice memoranda for the purpose of advising or informing supervising attorneys.
- Take and pass the CLA/CP exam given by the National Association of Legal Assistants, and earn the designation Certified Paralegal / Certified Legal Assistant.
- Exhibit proficiency in writing letters, memoranda, and other communications in a corporate or law firm environment.
- Apply concepts from a wide variety of legal disciplines, as well as other disciplines such as business, accounting, mathematics and economics, to their assigned tasks in a law firm or corporate environment.