Overview
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 the attorney, the paralegal does research, prepares documents, and interviews clients. Employment opportunities are also available in such diverse areas as insurance, real estate, mortgage companies, government agencies, courts, and banks. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.
This program is approved by the American Bar Association. Learning experiences for students in the Paralegal Studies program are provided in classrooms on the Airport and Beltline campuses as well as online.
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 paralegal certificate program and seven legal specialty courses in the paralegal 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. In addition, each student must complete a minimum of 10 credit hours of legal specialty courses through traditional classroom instruction.
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.
To enter the program, students must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. To be successful in this field, students should possess strong communication and computer/word processing skills.
Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all of the courses for the grade to be counted toward graduation.
How to Enroll
To pursue this degree, you must apply to MTC using our online application.
Questions?
Sample Program Plan and Costs
Class Delivery Methods
View current courses offered via our online course directory.
| On-Campus | Traditional. Classes meet on campus. |
|---|---|
| Virtual | 100% online. Meets with a live instructor and classmates on specific days, at specific times. Uses web conferencing software, like Zoom. |
| Hybrid | Some classes on campus. Some classes online or virtual. |
| Online | 100% online. Due dates for projects and assignments. Self-paced work on your time. |
Full Time Schedule
| Semester | Course ID | Course Title | Classroom | Online | Hybrid | Virtual | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 (12 Credit Hours) |
LEG-120 |
Torts Torts ID: LEG-120 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of the various classifications and functions of tort law, including intentional and negligent torts, causation, proximate cause, and defenses. |
• | • | 3 | ||
| LEG-121 |
Business Law I Business Law I ID: LEG-121 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of the basics of commercial law, with emphasis on the formation and enforcement of contracts and the rules particular to the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) and sales of goods. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| LEG-135 |
Introduction to Law and Ethics Introduction to Law and Ethics ID: LEG-135 Credit Hours: 3 This course provides a general introduction to law, including courts, legal terminology, procedures, systems, and laws of society. Emphasis is on ethics and the role of the paralegal in the legal system. |
• | • | • | • | 3 | |
| LEG-232 |
Law Office Management Law Office Management ID: LEG-232 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of the basic principles of office management, including administrative procedures, client relations, and office operating procedures. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| Semester 2 (12 Credit Hours) |
LEG-132 |
Legal Bibliography Legal Bibliography ID: LEG-132 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of the methods of legal research, proper citation of authority, use of legal treatises, texts, reporters, and digests. This course introduces students to the techniques and procedures of legal writing and analysis. |
• | 3 | |||
| LEG-201 |
Civil Litigation I Civil Litigation I ID: LEG-201 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of the principles of litigation and the rules of procedure for each court in the South Carolina system, including pleading, practice, and discovery procedures. |
• | • | • | 3 | ||
| Approved LEG Elective | 3 | ||||||
| Approved LEG Elective | 3 | ||||||
| Total Credit Hours | 24 | ||||||
| Estimated Cost Financial Aid |
$4,512.00 Not including fees and equipment |
||||||
Part Time Schedule
| Semester | Course ID | Course Title | Classroom | Online | Hybrid | Virtual | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 (9 Credit Hours) |
LEG-120 |
Torts Torts ID: LEG-120 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of the various classifications and functions of tort law, including intentional and negligent torts, causation, proximate cause, and defenses. |
• | • | 3 | ||
| LEG-121 |
Business Law I Business Law I ID: LEG-121 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of the basics of commercial law, with emphasis on the formation and enforcement of contracts and the rules particular to the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) and sales of goods. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| LEG-135 |
Introduction to Law and Ethics Introduction to Law and Ethics ID: LEG-135 Credit Hours: 3 This course provides a general introduction to law, including courts, legal terminology, procedures, systems, and laws of society. Emphasis is on ethics and the role of the paralegal in the legal system. |
• | • | • | • | 3 | |
| Semester 2 (3 Credit Hours) |
LEG-232 |
Law Office Management Law Office Management ID: LEG-232 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of the basic principles of office management, including administrative procedures, client relations, and office operating procedures. |
• | • | 3 | ||
| Semester 3 (6 Credit Hours) |
LEG-132 |
Legal Bibliography Legal Bibliography ID: LEG-132 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of the methods of legal research, proper citation of authority, use of legal treatises, texts, reporters, and digests. This course introduces students to the techniques and procedures of legal writing and analysis. |
• | 3 | |||
| LEG-201 |
Civil Litigation I Civil Litigation I ID: LEG-201 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of the principles of litigation and the rules of procedure for each court in the South Carolina system, including pleading, practice, and discovery procedures. |
• | • | • | 3 | ||
| Semester 4 (6 Credit Hours) |
Approved LEG Elective | 3 | |||||
| Approved LEG Elective | 3 | ||||||
| Total Credit Hours | 24 | ||||||
| Estimated Cost Financial Aid |
$4,512.00 Not including fees and equipment |
||||||