Paralegal Studies Certificate
Approved by the American Bar Association
HEGIS Code 5099 – 30 Credits
Suggested 2-Semester Course Sequence
First Semester
| PLG 101 | Introduction to Paralegalism | 3 |
| PLG 102 | Legal Research & Writing | 3 |
| PLG 103 | Civil Litigation | 3 |
| PLG 106 | Computerized Legal Applications | 3 |
| PLG 107 | Contract Law and Litigation | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Second Semester
| PLG 105 | Domestic Relations | 3 |
| PLG 108 | Real Estate Practices | 3 |
| PLG 109 | Elder Law, Estate Planning and Probate | 3 |
| PLG 110 | Tort Law | 3 |
| PLG 112 | Criminal Law and Procedures for Paralegals | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Total Credit Hours: 30
(21 of the 30 credits must be taken at RCC). A minimum of 10 credits of legal specialty courses through traditional classroom instruction are required.
According to the American Bar Association, “a legal assistant or paralegal is a person qualified by education, training, or work experience, who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work, for which the lawyer is responsible.” Paralegals are not licensed and always work under the supervision of an attorney. The goal of both the degree and certificate program is to prepare students to become entry-level paralegals.