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Program Details

Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies - Litigation Specialization

Associate of Applied Science
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College

There is a need in the greater Richmond area and throughout Virginia for paralegals. There is a need to train those who are presently employed in legal secretarial or legal assistant positions who wish to become paralegals. The Paralegal Studies Associate of Applied Science degree is designed to meet these educational needs by preparing individuals to perform as legal assistants or paralegals under the supervision of an attorney. The program is approved by the American Bar Association.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
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External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree Available completely online with synchronous (live) zoom lectures led by distinguished faculty. Completion of the program provides additional certification in legal research, IT certification in specific legal software programs and qualification to sit for the NALA certified paralegal exam. This is a 2 year ABA approved degree program that prepares you to be a practicing paralegal with billable time capabilities.
Considerations When Selecting Courses

Please see sequential guided pathways document: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LQH1LI2kaasDrUbnFu1dJaGyxgK9LAto/edit#gid=1475865604

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and J Sargeant Reynolds Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses Transfer credits can not be applied to more than 50% of substantive law classes. Also, no more than 9 credit hours of substantive law classes can be accumulated in asynchronous format. MTH 140 can be substituted with any 3 credit natural science course. Dual enrollment of both the litigation and general practice track is encouraged as there are only 4 substantive law classes difference. ITE 115 is required but can be tested out. There is a sequential order to the classes and the PH can provide this detail upon enrollment.
Doing More With Your Degree The Paralegal Studies Associate of Applied Science degree is designed to meet the growing need for diverse, inclusive and highly skilled para-professional staff who assist lawyers in the delivery of legal services. While only licensed attorneys may give legal advice to consumers, the work product of the paralegal becomes the attorneys' work product and therefore must be executed with particular legal knowledge and ethical consideration. The terms legal assistant and paralegal are used interchangeably like the terms attorney and lawyer. Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the certification exam through NALA (National Association of Legal Assistants and Paralegals) to earn the national standard and globally recognized credential, "CP". Paralegals are skilled to work in state or local government, within a corporation's in-house counsel structure, for private law firms of various sizes, as well as non-profits. Paralegals may also serve in various analyst positions within the legal environment in litigation support roles, as advocates within various government agencies or in the growing field of eDiscovery.
Program Successes & Highlights Through an articulation agreement with the University of Richmond, graduates who earn a 3.0 GPA + are automatically accepted to University of Richmond for a bacehlor's degree program in paralegal studies. As of 2022 several graduates have gone on to enroll in law school to become practicing attorneys with an overwhelming majority of students landing in full time legal roles within the greater Richmond area. The national average for median salary for a beginning paralegal is $50,000, however with experience, certifications and CP designation, it is not uncommon for paralegals to earn upwards of six figures in large markets.
Program Credit Requirements
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The table below provides the requirements to complete this program. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You should consult an advisor or counselor to find courses you can take at your current institution that will transfer to this degree.

Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies - Litigation Specialization
61
Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies - Litigation Specialization
61
Course Grad Req 260-02
61
Paralegal Studies-Litigatn
61
SDV 100
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
ENG 111
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 110
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 200
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 125
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ENG 112
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 117
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Social/Behavioral Science
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
LGL 218
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 126
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Mathematics or Science Electiv
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
LGL 235
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 222
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 210
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 215
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 216
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 220
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 221
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL Elective
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
CST 100 or CST 110
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Not Required
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School
Credit for Prior Learning Prior learning is considered
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
Visit our transfer site for more information
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
Transfer Students - Apply Here
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
Financial Aid for Transfer Students
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
916
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
100% of students who have earned an American high school diploma or completed a GED or equivalency.
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? https://issuu.com/reynoldscommunitycollege/docs/digital_hs_recruitment_packet?fr=sZmMwOTQ3OTA5NA
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions Not Required
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays VCCS degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to most efficiently transfer your current course work. So, you can use this list to find a degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

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
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in Business Administration- Paralegal Studies SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal StudiesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearHybrid
Mountain Empire Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal StudiesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeParalegal Studies, A.A.S.AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Paralegal StudiesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - Paralegal StudiesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
23-2099.00Legal Support Workers, All OtherAll legal support workers not listed separately.Legal Occupations
23-2011.00Paralegals and Legal AssistantsAssist 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
23-2093.00Title Examiners, Abstractors, and SearchersSearch 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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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 61 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies - Litigation Specialization at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
These costs are based on an estimated 4 semesters or 2 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $163 Per Credit $9,943 $0 $9,943
Fees
Additional Fees $0 Per Semester $0 0 $0 Additional fees per semester of $8.50 for In-State and $32.00 for Out-of-State students.
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.
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