The Paralegal Technology curriculum prepares individuals to work under the supervision of attorneys by performing routine legal tasks, and assisting with substantive legal work. A paralegal/legal assistant may not practice law, give legal advice, or represent clients in a court of law.

Course work includes substantive and procedural legal knowledge in the areas of civil litigation, legal research and writing, real estate, family law, wills, estates, trusts, and commercial law. Required courses also include subjects such as English, mathematics, and computer utilization.

Graduates are trained to assist attorneys in probate work, investigations, public records search, drafting and filing legal documents, research, and office management. Employment opportunities are available in private law firms, governmental agencies, banks, insurance agencies, and other business organizations.

*Graduates of the A.A.S. program will be eligible to take the North Carolina Paralegal Certification Examination and the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) exam. The Certificate program does qualify the student to take both the NC State Bar Paralegal Certification exam and the NALA exam, if they also have a 4 year degree in any major and in addition to the courses in the certificate program also take LEX 280 (Ethics and Professionalism) course. The Diploma program does not qualify a student to take the NALA or the NC State Bar Paralegal Certification Exam. Please contact the Paralegal Department for further Information.