Technical Certificate

Contact Information: Program Office 615-353-3400, Program Site, Email: paralegal@nscc.edu

The Paralegal Studies Technical Certificate program is designed to provide substantive legal courses to prepare students who have already obtained a bachelor’s degree for entry-level paralegal positions working under the supervision of an attorney in the private or public sector. Paralegal skills emphasized include: an understanding of basic substantive and procedural law, legal research, legal document preparation, legal ethics, problem solving, case management and effective communication.The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Paralegals defines a legal assistant or paralegal as “a person qualified by education, training, or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency, or other entity who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.”

The Paralegal Technical Certificate is only available to students who have completed a bachelor’s degree at an accredited college or university within the United States. Program Director Approval is needed before registering for this option.

Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law. Graduates of this program should be able to:

Demonstrate a basic understanding of legal ethics and professional responsibility. Explain the organization of the court system.

Draft legal documents under the direction of an attorney. Conduct legal research and do legal writing.

Interview clients and witnesses to gather investigative information. Use word processing and law-related computer software.

Demonstrate a basic knowledge of procedural and substantive law. Use verbal and written communication skills effectively.

Career Opportunities

Law Firms

Corporate Legal Departments Law Schools

Federal Government State Governments Local Government

Public and Private Agencies Non-Profit Organizations

Transfer/Advising

Paralegal Transfer Credit Policy

Paralegal-specific courses successfully completed by the student are evaluated by the program coordinator as to the college level, earned grade, NSCC equivalent, method of delivery, and accreditation of the prior college. There are limitations on the class rubric and number of hours that may be transferred to the Paralegal Studies program. There are 24 hours of paralegal-specific classes in the technical core. Only nine transfer hours from ABA approved programs may be applied towards the AAS degree and only three transfer hours from ABA approved programs may be applied towards the Technical Certificate. These may be transferred into the program if the above criteria are met.