Program Details
Associate of Applied Science - Paralegal Studies
Associate of Applied ScienceTidewater Community College
The Paralegal Studies program prepares students for careers as paralegals in offices specializing in general practice or litigation. A cooperative education program enables students to earn academic credit and supplement their income while gaining work experience at local sites. Students should be eligible to enroll in ENG 111 prior to registering for any LGL course offering.
The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Paralegal Studies prepares students to work as a paralegal in diverse settings. Electives can be selected to enable students to concentrate in general practice, litigation, or a combination of each.
Students in the Paralegal Studies program will be subject to an audit of their transcripts in the first month of their last semester before graduation. This audit will serve as a preliminary review to insure that all requirements for graduation have been met and further, to confirm that the maximum credit hours completed through online coursework and permissible under program accreditation standards has not been exceeded. The audit will be conducted by the Program Head or such other designees as may be appointed by the Program Head or Academic Dean.
The TCC Paralegal Studies program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
Program note: Legal assistants and paralegals cannot give legal advice to members of the public. Most jurisdictions impose significant penalties for the unauthorized practice of law. This program is not intended to give legal advice to students or to educate or train students to give legal advice or otherwise engage in the unauthorized practice of law.
Program Overview & Guidance
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Related Programs & Certifications
Program Credit Requirements
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | The student development requirement at TCC is waived for students who have completed an associate or baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. All other coursework is evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | TCC does not distinguish between students earning an associate degree while in high school or after high school graduation. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | TCC recognizes you have a wealth of skills and knowledge gained through life, work and community-based experiences. Credit for Prior Learning at TCC is academic credit awarded to students who successfully demonstrate college or university-level learning achieved through informal or experiential learning outside of the classroom. You can have your learning evaluated for academic credit, saving you time and money towards earning your degree.
For more information: https://help.tcc.edu/s/topic/0TO1R000000gnrkWAA/credit-for-prior-learning |
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College Level Information
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | At TCC, we believe everyone should have access to a high quality, affordable education. With diverse programs designed for immediate job placement, smaller class sizes, top-rated faculty and modern campuses, TCC is an ideal environment for a life changing education, right here in your own backyard. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined when an academic plan is selected by the student. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by first semester of attendance. |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Completing the first two years of your degree at TCC can get you in the door - while saving you thousands on the cost of your education. We recommend that you start your transfer planning during your first semester at TCC. In addition to your regular academic advising, you should review the TCC guaranteed admissions agreements and the transfer guides for the college or university to which you would like to transfer.
https://help.tcc.edu/s/article/Guaranteed-Transfer-Programs. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies - General Practice Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies - Litigation Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration- Paralegal Studies Specialization | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal Studies | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Hybrid |
| Mountain Empire Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal Studies | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Paralegal Studies, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies Degree | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies Degree | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23-2099.00 | Legal Support Workers, All Other | All legal support workers not listed separately. | Legal Occupations |
| 23-2011.00 | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action. | Legal Occupations |
| 23-2093.00 | Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | Search real estate records, examine titles, or summarize pertinent legal or insurance documents or details for a variety of purposes. May compile lists of mortgages, contracts, and other instruments pertaining to titles by searching public and private records for law firms, real estate agencies, or title insurance companies. | Legal Occupations |
Cost To Complete
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