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Program Details

Certificate in Legal Studies

Certificate
Southwest Virginia Community College

The Legal Studies Certificate program is designed to prepare individuals with the skills and knowledge of the law and legal issues needed to work in various careers. These careers include legal assistant, paralegal, and other law related professions.

Outcomes

1. Perform legal office management activities. 2. Perform legal office activities. 3. Demonstrate knowledge of U.S. court systems. 4. Perform records management activities. 5. Demonstrate effective business communication skills. 6. Demonstrate employability and workplace skills by participating in work-based learning experiences. 7. Develop leadership skills.


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 If you are interested in working in an attorney's office this would be an excellent degree for you.
Considerations When Selecting Courses

Course work should be completed in the order it appears in the catalog.

  • 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 Southwest Virginia Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree You will have a good foundation for a higher degree in law. If you are interested in a career as an attorney this degree will cover fundamental aspects of working in a law office.
Program Successes & Highlights There are a number of attorney's in our area that support the Legal Studies program. These attorney's provide you with the opportunity to experience the environment of a functioning attorney's office.
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
Certificate in Legal Studies
37
Certificate in Legal Studies
37
Plan GPA 261-01
37
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
Residency Requirement 261-01
10
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 27 credits may be applied to this program.
BUS 240 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ENG 111 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ITE 152 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 110 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 117 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 127 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 130 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 190 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 217 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 225 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
LGL 230 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PSY 120 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
SDV 100 Requirement
1
Earn 1 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 No
Credit for Prior Learning
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: Southwest Virginia 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
747
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
100%, AV GPA 3.07
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? Annual HC 3120, Transfer in per semester 97, Av Class size 12, Limited Foundation Owned Housing
Transfer Student Catalog Year Summer, Fall , Spring is a catalog year
First Year Student Catalog Year Summer, Fall , Spring is a catalog year
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions
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
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 37 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 Certificate in Legal Studies at Southwest Virginia Community College
These costs are based on an estimated 2 semesters or 1 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 $169 Per Credit $6,253 $0 $6,253 163.40 tuition per credit and 5.75 comprehensive fee per credit
*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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