;

Paralegal, Associate in Applied Science

Overview

Narrative

The U.S. Department of Labor projects that this profession will continue to grow as fast as the average for all occupations. While paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law, the Labor Department's occupational outlook notes that employers are expected to hire more paralegals as they try to reduce costs and increase the efficiency of legal services. Northampton's student-centered learning approach to paralegal education will prepare you to enter this dynamic, high-demand profession.

Paralegals may not practice law or provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.  Northampton Community College Paralegal program's approval by the American Bar Association commenced in August of 2003 and will voluntarily end on January 1, 2023.   This withdrawal does not affect the content, academic rigor or quality of the Paralegal program.  

Features

The program offers numerous substantive legal courses and a required internship at a local legal office. You will learn how a paralegal working under the general supervision of an attorney contributes to the delivery of legal services. You will also learn how to master state-of-the-art computer software and hardware, and become a productive and efficient professional within the ever-changing legal profession. Most of the legal specialty courses (PARL) are taught by attorneys and incorporate pleadings, forms, and software used in local, state, or federal practice. 

Graduates will be ready to accept positions such as paralegals, trust coordinators, title searchers, settlement clerks, or litigation specialists. If your quest for knowledge is not complete after two years of study, it is possible to transfer to four-year institutions to complete your baccalaureate degree.

Contact the Admissions Office at 610.861.5500 for further information.

Career Potential: Paralegal, Legal Assistant, Trust Coordinator, Title Searcher, Settlement Clerk, Litigation Specialist

Outcomes

Graduates of the program will:

  • Understand and apply substantive legal terminology and possible ethical considerations to develop requisite analytical skills necessary to function effectively in a legal work environment.
  • Demonstrate professional behavior, understand and acknowledge diversity and possess the necessary office skill competencies while under the supervision of an attorney in the completion of legal work.
  • Exhibit interpersonal communication skills necessary to share ideas clearly and work effectively with people in the legal profession.
  • Demonstrate the ability to use appropriate technology to enhance one's value to a legal work environment.

Courses

First Semester

COLS101College Success

1 credits

COMM101Introduction to Communication

3 credits

ENGL101English I

3 credits

CISC101Introduction to Information Technology

3 credits

PARL101Introduction to Paralegal Studies

3 credits

General Education Elective

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:16

Second Semester

PARL150Law Office Procedures

3 credits

PARL205Legal Research

3 credits

ENGL151LEnglish II

3 credits

PARL
Paralegal Elective +

3 credits

PARL
Paralegal Elective +

3 credits

PARL120Law Office Computer Technology

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:18

Third Semester

ACCT101Financial Accounting I

3 credits

PARL187Litigation Practice & Procedure

3 credits

PARL210GLegal Writing

3 credits

PARL
Paralegal Elective +

3 credits

PARL
Paralegal Elective +

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:15

Fourth Semester

PARL250Internship

3 credits

Mathematics (QL) or Science (SCI) Elective

3/4 credits

General Education Elective

3 credits

General Education Elective

3 credits

Elective

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:15-16

Total Credit Hours: 64-65

  • Completion of PARL210G satisfies the Writing Intensive (WI) requirement
  • +PARL Elective options include: PARL151, PARL153, PARL156, PARL161, PARL162, PARL163, PARL166, PARL175.
  • Completion of ENGL151L satisfies Diversity and Global Awareness (D) requirement
  • For the General Education Electives, students must select courses so that at least two of the following categories are represented: Arts & Humanities (AH); Social Science: Societies and Institutions over Time (SIT); Social Science: Scientific Study of Human Behavior (SSHB).