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Program Details
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Program Details

Career Studies Certificate in Paralegal Studies

Career Studies Certificate
Brightpoint Community College

This one-year program prepares students for entry-level jobs in the legal field. Jobs include paralegal and legal assistant.

Outcomes

By the completion of this program, students will be expected to demonstrate an introductory level of competency in the following skills:

  1. Research and evaluate a case brief.
  2. Perform legal research.
  3. Write a memorandum of law.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
Click here for details
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
Program Requirement Notes
Program Requirement Notes

BCC allows open admission for this program. More information on how to get started at BCC can be found at: https://www.brightpoint.edu/admissions/get-started/
Considerations When Selecting Courses

  • 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 Brightpoint Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights
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
Career Studies Certificate in Paralegal Studies
18
Career Studies Certificate in Paralegal Studies
18
Course Grad for 221-260-01
18
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
Required Courses 221-260-01
18
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 13 credits may be applied to this program.
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:
ITE 115
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
LGL 125
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 126
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:
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

Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School
Credit for Prior Learning Brightpoint accepts multiple forms of credit for prior learning, including scores on standardized tests such as AP/IB/CLEP/DANTES as well as courses and training completed in the military, criminal justice academies, technology certification programs, and health services certification programs. See https://www.brightpoint.edu/paying-for-brightpoint/pay-tuition/military-veterans-educational-benefits/credit-for-prior-experience/
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: Brightpoint 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
3835
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? At Brightpoint, our vision is "A success story for every student." With our small classes, our large number of courses and in-demand programs (including many online!), partnerships with area employers, and our award-winning faculty, Brightpoint Community College can help you begin your journey to a Bachelor's degree, a job, or both!
Transfer Student Catalog Year A student's catalog year determined by their first semester of attendance.
First Year Student Catalog Year A student's catalog year determined by their 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
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies - General Practice SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies - Litigation SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Applied 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 18 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 Career Studies Certificate in Paralegal Studies at Brightpoint Community College
These costs are based on an estimated 1 semesters or 0.5 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 $0 Per Credit $0 $0 $0
Fees
Mandatory Fees $0 Per Credit $0 0 $0 Mandatory fees are Auxiliary fee ($4 per credit hour) and Student Activities ($1 per credit hour)
*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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