This program prepares students for a successful career as a paralegal. Paralegals perform delegated legal work such as drafting documents, conducting legal research, interviewing and investigating and assisting attorney with a variety of tasks. According to the Kansas Occupational Projections, the average paralegal salary in 2022 was $48,190 and the 2020-2030 projections estimate a 12% growth in the paralegal field.
NCCC offers an Associate of Applied Science Degree and Certificate option in Paralegal. Upon obtaining the Degree students will be eligible to apply for one of two national examinations. Those examinations are:
1. National Association of Legal Assistnats, Inc. exam to become a Certified Paralegal (CP)
2. NALS, the association for legal professionals exam to become a Professional Paralegal (PP) or Accredited Legal Professional (AL) or a Certified Legal Professional (CLP)
Program Pathway Sequence
Below is the recommended sequence for completion of the paralegal AAS program, with a notation of hours required for the Certificate option. However, due to the different delivery methods offered, any paralegal class can be taken any semester to each individual student’s needs. Certificate pathway students must successfully complete all courses identified with a “+” and must have a 2.0 or better GPA to receive the Paralegal Certificate.
For More Information, Contact: Melissa Dugan 620-432-0452 mdugan@neosho.edu or Advising Staff, 620-432-0311 advising@neosho.edu if program advisor is unavailable.
Recommended Sequence of Courses and Modality (All paralegal courses can be offered in any semester in different delivery methods to meet student needs)
Paralegal courses are offered in an online format or a virtual hybrid format. The virtual hybrid format allows a student to choose whether they attend the class in person, attend the class via zoom, or watch the recorded lecture at their convenience. Paralegal courses are offered as an 8 week course or a full semester course.
General Education Courses
The Paralegal AAS degree program requires students to take English Composition I and II, Computer Concepts and Applications, American Government, General Psychology, Introduction to Sociology and Fundamentals of Speech. New students who have not already completed 15 credit hours or a similar course at another institution and desire to obtain a degree are required to take First Year Seminar.
Program Outcomes
- +Describe an overview of the legal system, the role of the paralegal, and other participants in the legal system.
- +Understand and employ ethical responsibilities of the paralegal.
- +Demonstrate effective and persuasive written legal communication skills.
- +Employ effective legal research skills including traditional methods and technology-supported research.
- +Exhibit effective legal analysis skills.
- +Apply critical thinking skills in paralegal work assignments.
- +Prepare accurate legal documents including memoranda, motions, pleadings, and other related court documents.
- +Differentiate between authorized and unauthorized practices of law.
- +Understand contract concepts and accurately draft a variety of contract documents.
- Prepare and complete real estate transactions.
- +Demonstrate appropriate interviewing and investigating skills.
- +Demonstrate employability skills.
- +Describe the substantive and procedural principles of family law.
- +Describe the substantive and procedural principles of civil law.
- +Describe the substantive and procedural principles of criminal law.
- Describe the formation, operation, and dissolution of multiple business organizations and prepare and complete a variety of documents relating thereto.
- Analyze labor and employment law and identify basic federal and state laws, requirements and resources.
- Draft wills, estates, and trusts.
Program outcomes identified with “+” apply to degree and certificate programs. Unmarked outcomes apply to the AAS degree only.
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