Dec 03, 2024  
2022-2023 Course Catalog 
    
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2022-2023 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Legal Studies - Paralegal (LSPAR)

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Award: Associate in Applied Science Degree

Program Location: South Omaha Campus

Graduation Requirements
Major Requirements: 40.5
Elective Requirements: 27.0
General Education: 22.5
Total credit hours required: 90.0

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. 


To fulfill elective requirements, students pursuing this degree focus on an area of concentration by selecting from one of the below six-course Career Certificates:

  • Transactional Law Specialist (TRACC)
  • Litigation Specialist (LITCC)
  • Immigration Law Specialist (ILSCC)
  • Legal Specialist (LSPCC)

Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.  The MCC Legal Studies - Paralegal degree 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 grade of C or better in LAWS 1101. 

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 courses completed at another college may only be transferred 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. Transfer credit is not available by course challenge, course examination, or course portfolio. 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 for determination of acceptability for transfer. No more than 9.0 quarter credit hours of legal specialty credit may be awarded by transfer.

Students are required to take at least 13.5 quarter credit hours of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction. 

The following General Education courses are recommended for Paralegal (LSPAR): Communication: ENGL 1010  ; Quantitative/Numeracy Skills: FINA 1000  ; Critical Thinking/Creativity & Social/Cultural Awareness: PHIL 1100  ; Scientific  Inquiry: ECON 1000  ; and Professionalism/Life Skills and Information Literacy: HMRL 1010   

Note: to meet accreditation standards, this AAS degree has been approved for 90.0 credit hrs.

Major Requirements for Legal Studies

Elective Requirements for Legal Studies - Paralegal

To fulfill elective requirements, students pursuing this degree focus on an area of concentration by selecting from one of the below six-course Career Certificates:

  • Transactional Law Specialist (TRACC)  :  The MCC Transactional Law Career Certificate prepares students for entry level positions in the legal profession that provide support to lawyers in transactional or administrative law matters.
  • Litigation Specialist (LITCC)  :  Students pursuing the MCC Litigation Specialist Career Certificate learn about the roles and functions of litigation professionals who provided support to attorneys throughout the litigation process.
  • Immigration Law Specialist (ILSCC)  :  The MCC Immigration Laws Specialist Career Certificate prepares students for careers in non-governmental organizations, local and federal government agencies, private and public institutions, and businesses. 
  • Legal Specialist (LSPCC)  : Students pursuing the MCC Legal Specialist Career Certificate gain a broad understanding of the legal profession by selecting from courses focused on transactional law, litigation, and immigration law. 

Note:

The following are General Education requirements for an Associate in Applied Sciences degree (AAS). Additionally, this program includes Major Course Requirements to satisfy American Bar Association general education credit hour requirements.

Associate in Applied Sciences General Education Requirements (22.5 credit hours)

The following are General Education requirements for an Associate in Applied Sciences degree (AAS). Students may not use the same course to satisfy more than one degree requirement.

Communication

1 Course     4.5 credit hrs.

Select 1 Level I course from the list of Communication General Education courses in the current course catalog.

Quantitative/Numeracy

1 Course     4.5 - 5.0 credit hrs. 

Please check your degree program for recommended Math course.

Select 1 college level math course from the list of General Education math courses in the current course catalog.

*Based on the Math course you select, pre-requisites may be required.

Critical Thinking/Creativity & Social/Cultural Awareness

1 Course     4.5 credit hrs.

Select 1course from the list of Humanities or Social Sciences General Education course options in the current course catalog. 

       OR

Scientific Inquiry

1 Course     4.5-6.0 credit hrs.   

Select 1 course from list of Natural or Social Science General Education courses in the current course catalog.

       OR

*Students choosing a Social Sciences course to satisfy the Scientific Inquiry requirement should take a Humanities course to satisfy the Critical Thinking/Creativity and Social/Cultural Awareness competency.

Professionalism/Life Skills & Information Literacy

1 Course     4.5

Select one of the following courses.

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