Paralegal Studies

Students with a Bachelor's Degree or higher can enroll in this paralegal certificate program to learn the skills needed for this career.

The Paralegal Studies Certificate program is an eight-course, 24-credit-hour program that prepares students to assist lawyers in carrying out their professional responsibilities. Working under the direct supervision of an attorney, the paralegal does research, prepares documents, and interviews clients. In addition to law firms and traditional legal environments, employment opportunities are available in diverse areas such as government agencies, courts, insurance companies, real estate companies, mortgage companies, banks, and more.

Legal specialty courses, which are taught by attorneys, judges, and doctorate-level legal educators, are specifically designed to provide students with practical paralegal skills and substantive legal theory.

Many of our legal specialty courses are project-based and offer hands-on, real, practical experience. Assignments may include analyzing hypotheticals, engaging in simulated litigation processes, drafting correspondence, pleadings, discovery, estate planning documents, deeds, and legal memoranda, analyzing documents, and conducting legal research. These learning experiences for students are provided in classrooms (daytime and/or evening) as well as online.

This program is approved by the American Bar Association. Pursuant to ABA requirements, students must take at least nine (9) semester credits through synchronous instruction. Synchronous instruction includes traditional face-to-face courses as well as live virtual courses.

This Program is a member of the American Association for Paralegal Education and has satisfied all membership requirements as set forth in the Association’s Bylaws and Standing Rules as an Institutional Member of AAfPE.

In the United States, paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public or engage in the practice of law, except as permitted by law.

Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL) Statement: Paralegals work under the supervision of a licensed attorney and are not authorized to practice law in South Carolina (S.C. Code § 40-5-310).

Mission

The mission of the ABA-approved Paralegal Studies Program is to meet the evolving needs of the legal community and prepare students for employment as paraprofessionals by providing a comprehensive legal curriculum taught by experienced legal professionals that includes procedural and substantive law; ethics; and legal research, writing, and analysis.

Program Goals

The goal of the Paralegal Studies Program is to teach students the skills and knowledge they need to become effective and productive paraprofessionals in the public and private sectors through the integration of skills, knowledge, and ethical values. Program graduates will develop practical legal skills; acquire foundational knowledge in substantive areas of law; understand legal ethics and the role of the paralegal in the legal environment; understand legal concepts, legal terminology, and the court structure; understand legal writing, research, and analysis; and practice appropriate technology use in the legal environment.

In furtherance of said goals, the program will provide quality instruction that will promote student success in developing: 1) strong verbal and written communication skills; 2) requisite knowledge and practical skills experience in the curriculum; 3) technology skills needed for the profession; and 4) a strong sense of ethics and professionalism.

Paralegal Program Legal Specialty Course Transfer Policy

Upon a student’s admission to Midlands Technical College (MTC) and enrollment in the Paralegal program, we review transfer credits and may accept up to two-thirds of the requisite number of legal specialty credits from regionally accredited, ABA-approved schools. This translates to as many as five legal specialty courses in the certificate program and seven legal specialty courses in the associate degree program.

Each legal specialty course submitted for transfer consideration is evaluated by the program director. Transferability is based on course content, hours of instruction, and the grade earned in the course by the student. College transcripts are reviewed to determine whether acceptance of transfer credits is appropriate.

Legal specialty courses cannot be accepted from a college that does not have regional accreditation. We may accept credits from non-ABA approved schools if adequate evidence is provided to document that the course meets an appropriate level of academic rigor and compliance with ABA guidelines for paralegal education.

Basic typing skills are required for the successful completion of the program.

Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all legal courses for the grade to be counted toward graduation. This includes all courses with the LEG prefix.

Approvals and Affiliations

Approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), our Paralegal Studies Program includes skilled instructors and nearly 50 years of educational excellence. Pursuant to ABA requirements, students must take at least nine (9) semester credits through synchronous instruction. Synchronous instruction includes traditional face-to-face courses as well as live virtual courses.

This Program is an Institutional Member of the American Association for Paralegal Education.

In the United States, paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public or engage in the practice of law, except as permitted by law.

Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL) Statement: Paralegals work under the supervision of a licensed attorney and are not authorized to practice law in South Carolina (S.C. Code § 40-5-310).