Legal Studies - Paralegal (LSPAR)

Location(s): South Omaha Campus, Online

Award: Associate in Applied Science Degree

Academic Focus Area: Community and Human Services

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 (LSICC)
Legal Specialist (LSPCC)

Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law. The MCC Legal Studies - Paralegal associate 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.

Graduation Requirements
To earn this degree, a student must complete all required courses.

Total credit hours required: 94.5

Links to Additional Resources

Tuition Information

Financial Aid

Scholarships

Major Requirements - 45.0 credits

Legal Specialty Courses
LAWS 1101 - Introduction to Law & the Legal Profession 4.5 Credits
LAWS 1100 - The Paralegal Profession 4.5 Credits
LAWS 1111 - Law Office Technology 4.5 Credits
LAWS 1230 - Legal Research and Writing I 4.5 Credits
LAWS 2240 - Legal Research and Writing II 4.5 Credits
LAWS 2940 - Laws Capstone 4.5 Credits
OR
LAWS 2981 - Paralegal Internship 4.5 Credits
Additional Course Work
ENGL 1020 - English Composition II 4.5 Credits
BSAD 1100 - Business Law I 4.5 Credits
BSAD 1620 - Business Communication 4.5 Credits
LAWS 1000 - Introduction to Legal Studies 4.5 Credits

Elective Requirements - 27.0 credits

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 Career Certificate (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 (LSICC) : 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.

General Education Course Recommendations for this Program:

Communication: ENGL 1010
Quantitative/Numeracy: FINA 1000
Critical Thinking/Creativity & Social/Cultural Awareness: PHIL 1100
Scientific Inquiry: ECON 1000
Professionalism/Life Skills and Information Literacy: HMRL 1010

Associate in Applied Sciences General Education Requirements - 22.5 credits

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.

Quantitative/Numeracy

1 Course 4.5 - 5.0 credits

Please check your degree program for recommended Math course. Based on the Math course you select, pre-requisites may be required.

Select 1 course from the list of Quantitative/Numeracy Skills General Education Courses .

Critical Thinking/Creativity & Social/Cultural Awareness

1 Course 4.5 credit hrs.

Select 1 course from the list of Humanities or Social Sciences courses under the Critical Thinking/Creativity & Social/Cultural Awareness General Education Courses.

Scientific Inquiry

1 Course 4.5-6.0 credit hrs.

Select 1 course from either the list of Natural Sciences or Social Sciences General Education courses.

*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 1 course from the list of Professionalism/Life Skills and Information Literacy General Education Courses .

Program Level Student Learning Outcomes

Examine the role of a paralegal and the knowledge and skills required of a paralegal professional.
Create an educational pathway plan and pursue transfer to a four-year college/university.
Evaluate and apply ethical standards of the legal profession.
Demonstrate writing proficiency and competency in oral communication.
Apply quantitative and analytical proficiency needed in a legal environment.
Utilize technology tools used in legal offices to conduct research and complete other tasks.
Organize case files and other records.
Apply legal concepts to factual situations.
Draft legal documents.