Paralegal/Legal Assistant Programs
The Paralegal/Legal Assistant Associate of Applied Science degree helps students qualify as legal assistants aiding lawyers with procedural activities in the practice of law. These activities include research, alternative dispute resolution, interviewing witnesses and drafting motions, interrogatories and pleadings. Legal assistants may work in government agencies, in corporations that have in-house attorneys and in private law firms or they may prefer to freelance. The paralegal profession is one of the fastest growing occupations in Maryland and the demand for legal assistants in the Washington Metropolitan Area is high. The Paralegal/Legal Assistant A.A.S. is a career degree that enables a student to directly enter the workforce. However, the credits earned do transfer to a number of four-year institutions, including Excelsior College and the University of Maryland University College. The certificate is well-suited for individuals who want to upgrade their skills or get a promotion and credits earned may be applied toward the A.A.S. de-gree. For more information, call 301-322-0553.
Graduates of the Paralegal/Legal Studies A.A.S. degree program will be able to:
- Communicate effectively and professionally in both oral and written forms
- Read critically and use written material to support logical reasoning and solve problems
- Develop a working knowledge of the law and its impact on the legal system and society
- Utilize a law library, computer software and online research tools to effectively locate, analyze and evaluate legal resources, data and information
- Utilize investigative techniques to gather information from clients, witnesses and other sources
- Draft and organize legal documents, pleadings, motions and other writings typically assigned to paralegals
- Analyze and ethically solve legal problems and synthesize legal concepts
- Demonstrate appropriate professional standards, ethics and leadership skills
- Pursue a bachelor’s degree in Paralegal/Legal Studies at a four-year college or university
Paralegal/Legal Assistant
Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
Program Code: PARA.AAS
| Program Concentration |
30 Credits |
| PAR 1510 Introduction to Law for the Paralegal |
3 |
| PAR 1550 Techniques of Legal Research |
3 |
| PAR 2510 Legal Writing and Documents |
3 |
| PAR 2530 Torts |
3 |
| PAR 2540 Contracts (Offered fall only) |
3 |
| PAR 2610 Legal Ethics for Paralegals |
3 |
| PAR 2650 Civil Litigation** |
3 |
| CJT 2510 Criminal Law |
3 |
| CJT 2540 Criminal Evidence and Procedure |
3 |
Choose from the following
| BUS 1220 |
BUS 1240 |
CAP 1310 |
| Any CJT or COR |
FOS 2500 |
| PAR 2550 (Offered fall only) |
| PAR 2570 (Offered spring only) |
| PAR 2580 (Offered fall only) |
| PAR 2590 (Offered spring only) |
| PAR 2910-2930 Cooperative Education/Internship** |
| PSY 2010 |
SPN 1010 |
|
|
3 |
| Required General Education Courses |
33 Credits |
| English Composition I and II* |
6 |
Humanities*
SPH 1010 and PHL 1010 |
6 |
Mathematics*
MAT 1120 or higher |
3 |
| Science* |
3 |
Social Sciences*
PSY 1010 and SOC 1010
POS 1010 or POS 1020
SOC 2010 or SOC 2030 |
12 |
Computer Literacy*
CIS 1010 |
3 |
| Total Required for A.A.S. Degree |
63 Credits |
Paralegal/Legal Assistant
Certificate
Program Code: PARA.CT
| Program Concentration |
24 Credits |
| PAR 1510 Introduction to Law for the Paralegal |
3 |
| PAR 1550 Techniques of Legal Research |
3 |
| PAR 2510 Legal Writing and Documents |
3 |
| PAR 2530 Torts |
3 |
| PAR 2540 Contracts (Offered fall only) |
3 |
| PAR 2650 Civil Litigation** |
3 |
| CJT 2510 Criminal Law |
3 |
| CJT 2540 Criminal Evidence and Procedure |
3 |
Choose from the following
| BUS 1220 |
BUS 1240 |
CAP 1310 |
| Any CJT or COR |
FOS 2500 |
| PAR 2550 (Offered fall only) |
| PAR 2570 (Offered spring only) |
| PAR 2580 (Offered fall only) |
| PAR 2590 (Offered spring only) |
| PAR 2610 |
PSY 2010 |
|
| PAR 2910-2930 Cooperative Education/Internship** |
| SPN 1010 |
|
|
|
3 |
| Required General Education Courses |
6 Credits |
| EGL 1010 Composition I: Expository Writing |
3 |
| POS 1010 American National Government |
3 |
| Total Required for Certificate |
30 Credits |