Paralegal Studies

Overview

Study for an in-demand career. A paralegal can work with attorneys, government agencies, courts, real estate firms, and more.

The Paralegal Studies Associate Degree program is a 61-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. Employment opportunities are available in diverse areas such 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 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 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. 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.

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

Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all of the courses offered within the Business and Public Services Department for the grade to be counted toward graduation. Specifically, these include courses with the following prefixes: ACC, BAF, BUS, LEG, MGT, and MKT.

How to Enroll

To pursue this degree, you must apply to MTC using our online application.

Apply Now

Questions?

Print Plan

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
Part Time

Full Time

Semester	Course ID	Course Title	Classroom	Online	Hybrid	Virtual	Credits
Semester 1 (16 Credit Hours)	COL-101	College Orientation College Orientation ID: COL-101 Credit Hours: 1 This course may include selected topics such as career planning, study skills, stress management, tutoring, group guidance, and other subjects to facilitate student success.	•	•	•	•	1
	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
	CPT-101	Introduction to Computers Introduction to Computers ID: CPT-101 Credit Hours: 3 This course covers basic computer history, theory and applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, data bases, and the operating system.	•	•	•	•	3
	ENG-101	English Comp I English Comp I ID: ENG-101 Credit Hours: 3 This is a (college transfer) course in which the following topics are presented: a study of composition in conjunction with appropriate literary selections, with frequent theme assignments to reinforce effective writing. A review of standard usage and the basic techniques of research are also presented.	•	•		•	3
	MAT-155	Contemporary Mathematics Contemporary Mathematics ID: MAT-155 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes techniques and applications of the following topics: elementary number theory; algebra; geometry; measurement; graph sketching and interpretations; and descriptive statistics.	•	•		•	3
Semester 2 (15 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-122	Business Law II Business Law II ID: LEG-122 Credit Hours: 3 This course is an in-depth study of the Uniform Commercial Code with special emphasis on the essentials of Article 3, Commercial Paper, and Article 9, Secured Transactions. Business partnerships and corporations and their formation are studied.		•		•	3
	SPC-205	Public Speaking Public Speaking ID: SPC-205 Credit Hours: 3 This course is an introduction to principles of public speaking with application of speaking skills. Students entering this course must be able to communicate clearly with American speakers of English.	•	•	•	•	3
	ENG-102	English Comp II English Comp II ID: ENG-102 Credit Hours: 3 This is a (college transfer) course in which the following topics are presented: development of writing skills through logical organization, effective style, literary analysis and research. An introduction to literary genre is also included.	•	•		•	3
	PSY-201	General Psychology General Psychology ID: PSY-201 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes the following topics and concepts in the science of behavior: scientific method, biological bases for behavior, perception, motivation, learning memory, development, personality, abnormal behavior, therapeutic techniques, and social psychology.	•	•	•	•	3
Semester 3 (15 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
	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
	LEG-233	Wills, Trusts, and Probate Wills, Trusts, and Probate ID: LEG-233 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes a detailed study of testacy and intestacy, preparation of wills and codicils, and fundamentals of trust and probate administration. Students probate a simple estate.			•		3
		Approved LEG Elective					3
Semester 4 (15 Credit Hours)	LEG-213	Family Law Family Law ID: LEG-213 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes an examination of the laws of marriage, divorce, annulment, separation, adoption, custody, and the juvenile.	•				3
	LEG-214	Property Law Property Law ID: LEG-214 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes an overview of South Carolina property law, including the mechanics of various commercial and private property transactions and mortgage foreclosures. Students are introduced to techniques and procedures examining titles to real property.	•	•			3
	LEG-242	Law Practice Workshop Law Practice Workshop ID: LEG-242 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes the application of substantive knowledge in a practical situation as a paralegal.		•			3
		Approved HUM Elective					3
		Approved LEG Elective					3
				Total Credit Hours		61
				Estimated Cost Financial Aid		$11,468.00 Not including fees and equipment

Part Time

Semester	Course ID	Course Title	Classroom	Online	Hybrid	Virtual	Credits
Semester 1 (7 Credit Hours)	COL-101	College Orientation College Orientation ID: COL-101 Credit Hours: 1 This course may include selected topics such as career planning, study skills, stress management, tutoring, group guidance, and other subjects to facilitate student success.	•	•	•	•	1
	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 (9 Credit Hours)	CPT-101	Introduction to Computers Introduction to Computers ID: CPT-101 Credit Hours: 3 This course covers basic computer history, theory and applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, data bases, and the operating system.	•	•	•	•	3
	ENG-101	English Comp I English Comp I ID: ENG-101 Credit Hours: 3 This is a (college transfer) course in which the following topics are presented: a study of composition in conjunction with appropriate literary selections, with frequent theme assignments to reinforce effective writing. A review of standard usage and the basic techniques of research are also presented.	•	•		•	3
	MAT-155	Contemporary Mathematics Contemporary Mathematics ID: MAT-155 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes techniques and applications of the following topics: elementary number theory; algebra; geometry; measurement; graph sketching and interpretations; and descriptive statistics.	•	•		•	3
Semester 3 (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-122	Business Law II Business Law II ID: LEG-122 Credit Hours: 3 This course is an in-depth study of the Uniform Commercial Code with special emphasis on the essentials of Article 3, Commercial Paper, and Article 9, Secured Transactions. Business partnerships and corporations and their formation are studied.		•		•	3
	SPC-205	Public Speaking Public Speaking ID: SPC-205 Credit Hours: 3 This course is an introduction to principles of public speaking with application of speaking skills. Students entering this course must be able to communicate clearly with American speakers of English.	•	•	•	•	3
Semester 4 (6 Credit Hours)	ENG-102	English Comp II English Comp II ID: ENG-102 Credit Hours: 3 This is a (college transfer) course in which the following topics are presented: development of writing skills through logical organization, effective style, literary analysis and research. An introduction to literary genre is also included.	•	•		•	3
Semester 4 (6 Credit Hours)	PSY-201	General Psychology General Psychology ID: PSY-201 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes the following topics and concepts in the science of behavior: scientific method, biological bases for behavior, perception, motivation, learning memory, development, personality, abnormal behavior, therapeutic techniques, and social psychology.	•	•	•	•	3
Semester 5 (9 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
	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 6 (6 Credit Hours)	LEG-233	Wills, Trusts, and Probate Wills, Trusts, and Probate ID: LEG-233 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes a detailed study of testacy and intestacy, preparation of wills and codicils, and fundamentals of trust and probate administration. Students probate a simple estate.			•		3
Semester 6 (6 Credit Hours)		Approved LEG Elective					3
Semester 7 (6 Credit Hours)	LEG-213	Family Law Family Law ID: LEG-213 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes an examination of the laws of marriage, divorce, annulment, separation, adoption, custody, and the juvenile.	•				3
Semester 7 (6 Credit Hours)	LEG-214	Property Law Property Law ID: LEG-214 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes an overview of South Carolina property law, including the mechanics of various commercial and private property transactions and mortgage foreclosures. Students are introduced to techniques and procedures examining titles to real property.	•	•			3
Semester 8 (9 Credit Hours)	LEG-242	Law Practice Workshop Law Practice Workshop ID: LEG-242 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes the application of substantive knowledge in a practical situation as a paralegal.		•			3
		Approved HUM Elective					3
		Approved LEG Elective					3
				Total Credit Hours		61
				Estimated Cost Financial Aid		$11,468.00 Not including fees and equipment

Careers

Paralegal – Private Sector Law Firm

Work as a paralegal in a private-sector law firm. Paralegals can assist in almost every facet of the legal profession, from client interviews and communication to preparation of documents for litigation or transactional matters. Paralegals cannot give legal advice and work is done under the supervision of an attorney.

Projected Job Growth

+6.4%

Average Annual Salary

$45,964

According to EMSI data as of 2022

Where Can I Work?

Law Firm

Careers

Paralegal (Government Sector)

Work as a Paralegal in the government sector. In the Midlands, paralegals are employed by the federal government, numerous state agencies, on a county level, and even by several cities and towns. Paralegals can assist in almost every facet of the legal profession, from client interviews and communication to preparation of documents for litigation or transactional matters. Paralegals cannot give legal advice and work is done under the supervision of an attorney.

Projected Job Growth

+6.4%

Average Annual Salary

$45,964

According to EMSI data as of 2022

Where Can I Work?

County Probate Courts
Federal and County Public Defender Offices
State Social Services Departments

What’s next after I complete this program?

Continue Education Toward a Bachelor’s Degree

Students can transfer to a four-year institution to receive their bachelor’s degree in this or another field.

Continue Education at Law School

After receiving a bachelor’s degree and meeting the entrance requirements, students can pursue a degree in law.

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Academic programs count as academic credit for a certificate, diploma or degree and may transfer toward future academic endeavors at four-year colleges and universities.
Training programs can be completed in a matter of weeks or months, are focused on career training, and provide credentials and certificates needed in the specific fields of study. Coursework does not transfer.
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