Legal Studies for the Paralegal: CP
Certificate of Proficiency | 33 credit hours minimum
Area of Interest: Education, Public Service, and Social Sciences
Program Description:
The Certificate of Proficiency in Legal Studies for the Paralegal prepares and enhances student knowledge and skills for careers in the paralegal profession.
The certificate is designed for students who have the following:
-
a college degree, either an associate or bachelor, in any subject matter;
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or a minimum of 60 college credit hours which include Communications (3 credit hours), Social Science (3 credit hours), Science/Mathematics (3 credit hours) and Business (9 credit hours);
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or a department approval to be limited to persons with five or more years of experience working under the direct supervision of an attorney in a law office, company, corporation or court.
Students develop a basic legal vocabulary and gain an understanding of Federal and Missouri statutes, cases, regulations and court systems. Students will be able to describe the legal process as well as study concepts from various specific areas of law. Students develop skills in analyzing legal problems, drafting/preparing legal documents and enhancing their professional development.
Persons interested in this program should have an interest in the law. They should be self-motivated, able to work without supervision and have good oral and written communication skills.
Graduates are qualified for positions as paralegals in private law firms, corporations, government agencies, or other businesses.
Locations. This program is offered at Meramec by taking a mixture of face-to-face and online courses.
Related Programs. The Legal Studies Department offers an associate in the following area:
Legal Studies for the Paralegal, Associate in Applied Science
Cost of Attendance. For more information on cost of attendance visit MoSCORES.
Program Career and Salary Information. Pursuant to Missouri HB 1606 (2018), information regarding the number of credit hours, program length, employment rate, wage data, and graduates employed in careers related to their program of study at St. Louis Community College can be found at the following URL: https://scorecard.mo.gov/scorecard/. Search using School / Program “St. Louis Community College” and choose the degree or credential type of interest.
The following limitations to the data apply: Information provided is based on the most recent cohorts available. Typically, most recent cohorts for wage and completion data are six years prior to the current academic year. Time to complete a program of study varies depending on the number of credit hours students earn per semester.
Interested in this program? Start the enrollment process by visiting the Apply to STLCC page.
At the completion of the program, students are expected to:
- draft legal documents.
- analyze legal documents as well as other case matter resources to identify and summarize relevant materials for the case.
- examine case matter and identify appropriate research resources as well as analyze research results to support case matter.
- identify and assemble legal documents and court forms required for case matter.
- implement appropriate management of clients and case matters including calendar control, file management and billing.
- formulate an action plan to facilitate the resolution of the case matter and implement plan to conclusion of the case.
- select opportunities to pursue professional development.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ENG 100 | 3 | |
| or ENG 101 | College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100) | |
| LGL 110 | Introduction to Law | 3 |
| LGL 111 | Law Office Management | 3 |
| LGL 113 | Computers and the Law | 3 |
| LGL 217 | Legal Research | 3 |
| LGL 218 | Legal Writing | 3 |
| LGL 235 | Civil Litigation | 3 |
| Legal Studies Electives | 12 | |
| Group One Electives (select at least two courses from the Group One Electives) | ||
| Contract Law | ||
| Wills, Trusts, and Probate | ||
| Tort Law | ||
| Family Law | ||
| Group Two Electives | ||
| Real Estate Law | ||
| Administrative Law | ||
| Employment Law | ||
| Topics in Law | ||
| Advanced Civil Litigation | ||
LGL 280 | 1 | |
| Workplace Learning: Paralegal 1 | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 33 | |
- 1
Student cannot receive credit for both LGL 280 and LGL 290 (or LGL 219).
Part-Time Academic Plan
PLEASE NOTE: If you originally enrolled at STLCC prior to Fall 2024, you may need to view an archived catalog for your correct program requirements. Please speak with an advisor or the program coordinator for more information.
| First Year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| ENG 101 or ENG 100 | College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100) or | 3 | Placement score or ENG 030 or ENG 070 with a grade of "C" or better or recommendation of department and Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079 | |
| LGL 110 | Introduction to Law | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| LGL 113 | Computers and the Law | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| LGL 111 | Law Office Management | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| LGL 235 | Civil Litigation | 3 | LGL 110 or LGL 108 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |||
| Second Year | ||||
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| LGL 217 | Legal Research | 3 | LGL 110 or LGL 108 with a minimum grade of "C", ENG 100 or ENG 101 with a minimum grade of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Take first 8-week. |
| LGL 218 | Legal Writing | 3 | LGL 217 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Take second 8-week. |
| LGL 112 | Contract Law or Wills, Trusts, and Probate or Tort Law or Family Law | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| XXX xxx | LGL Elective | 3 | Apply for graduation. | |
| XXX xxx | LGL Elective | 3 | ||
| LGL 112 | Contract Law or Wills, Trusts, and Probate or Tort Law or Family Law | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 33 | |||
*Click on the hyperlinked course number to view additional information about the course.
**Students completing a course that has been assigned a MOTR number may transfer that course to any public institution in Missouri. Those who complete CORE 42 requirements will have that verification on their transcript.
*** It is your responsibility to verify that the courses listed above will transfer to the four-year institution of your choice. Maximize your transfer credits/classes by meeting with an academic advisor.