Program Description

This certificate course of study is designed for advanced students who do not wish to enroll in the Paralegal and Legal Studies AAS Degree program. Minimum entrance requirements are 60 college credits or a two-year degree. Students entering with 60 credits should have completed courses in the following areas: English, Communication, Social Science, History, Music or Art, Science and Mathematics.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Paralegal Studies Certificate requirements, students will be able to:

1. Students will demonstrate competency in the preparation of the following legal documents: summons and complaint, discovery questions and legal memorandum, cover letters for possible employment
2. Students will demonstrate competency in conducting legal research to create a legal memorandum.
3. Students will demonstrate growth in ethical behavior in accordance with professional standards.
4. Students will demonstrate preparedness to seek employment within the legal profession

Approved by the American Bar Association.

Important Codification updates to program requirements approved December 2020:

 Admission to the Paralegal Certificate Program

1. Students must possess 18 semester credits or the equivalent of general education course work.
2. Students must have completed courses in at least three disciplines, such as social sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, foreign language, and English.

Credit requirements for the Paralegal Studies Certificate Program

1. Students must complete at least 50% of their Legal Specialty credits while in residence at BCC.
2. Students must complete at least nine of their Legal Specialty credits through synchronous instruction​.

For more information, see the Paralegal and Legal Studies Handbook (.pdf)

Click here to learn more.

Curriculum Coordinator: Professor Nikole Knight