Award: Associate in Applied Science Degree
Concentrations: Litigation, Business, or General
Program Location: South Omaha Campus
The Legal Studies - Paralegal degree prepares students for entry-level occupations in law offices of all sizes and specialties, including private law firms, government agencies, the court system, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. (A paralegal is sometimes called a legal assistant.) In addressing program outcomes, graduates will:
- understand the role of a paralegal and the knowledge and skills required of a paralegal
- use technology tools utilized in legal offices to conduct research and complete other tasks
- demonstrate ethical standards of the legal profession
- apply legal concepts to factual situations
- organize case files and other records
- draft legal documents
The program offers three options of concentration: Business option, litigation option, and general option. The business option offers coursework for individuals who wish to provide support to lawyers in transactional or administrative law matters. The litigation option provides coursework for individuals who wish to provide support to lawyers in the handling of civil action through the legal system. The general option allows students to select courses from both the business and litigation options to meet their individual interests in fulfillment of the program requirements.
This degree also allows graduates to pursue further education at the college junior level. Although graduates are not authorized to provide direct legal services to the public, they are authorized to perform substantive legal work under the direct supervision of a lawyer. This program does not train lawyers or legal administrators.
The Paralegal program is approved by the American Bar Association.
Paralegal Program Admission
The Paralegal program has special admission requirements. Formal application to the program is offered and completed by earning a ‘C’ or better in LAWS 1230 , Legal Research & Writing I.
Students are advised to adhere to the curriculum plan and work closely with the program advisor or director to ensure appropriate registration in courses to meet graduation requirements.
Transfer Credits
Legal-specialty completed at another college may be transferred only if they are from an ABA-approved program with substantially the same content, are for the same or more earned credit hours, and earned a grade of C or better. Credit is not available by portfolio or written examination.
To request transfer of credit, students must request that original transcripts be submitted by the college or university directly to the MCC Records Office. The Records Office staff will then refer any legal specialty courses to the Academic Dean and Director of the Paralegal Program for determination of acceptability for transfer. No more than 9.0 quarter credit hours of legal specialty credit may be by transfer.
Students are required to take at least 18.0 quarter credit hours of legal specialty courses through traditional classroom (on-campus) instruction.
Graduation Requirements
General Education: 22.5
Major Requirements: 58.5
Option Requirements: 27.0
Total credit hours required: 108.0
The following General Education courses are recommended for Paralegal (LSPAO): Communication: ENGL 1010 ; Quantitative/Numeracy Skills: FINA 1000 ; Critical Thinking/Creativity & Social/Cultural Awareness: PHIL 1100 ; Scientific Inquiry: POLS 2050 or POLS 2060 ; and Professionalism/Life Skills and Information Literacy: HMRL 1010
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