Paralegal Studies Certificate
Become a certified legal assistant with TCC's Paralegal Studies Certificate. Launch your legal career today!
About the Program
- This American Bar Association approved Paralegal Studies Program prepares graduates to work as professional assistants under attorney supervision.
- All Paralegal Studies students receive training in various legal areas, including civil procedure, contracts, real property, legal research and writing, document drafting, litigation support, law office systems and management, and computer usage in the legal field.
- Students will complete at least ten semester credits of legal specialty courses through traditional classroom instruction.
- Upon meeting program requirements, including achieving a grade of "C" or higher in all Paralegal courses, graduates can apply for the Certified Legal Assistants (CLA) examination by the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc., or pursue the Professional Paralegal (PP) credential from the National Association of Legal Professionals.
- TCC is a member of the American Association for Paralegal Education.
Program Details
Unlock a career in law with TCC's Paralegal Studies Certificate. Gain skills in contracts, legal research, and more.
The Program is approved by the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Paralegals, is an institutional member of the American Association for Paralegal Education, and is the only regionally accredited, degree-granting Paralegal Studies Program in Green Country.
After successfully completing this program, you will have the ability to:
- Recognize the various sources of substantive and procedural law.
- Identify federal, state, and local judicial and quasi-judicial functions.
- Apply the ethical standards adopted by State and Federal Courts, as well as professional organizations, to a variety of factual circumstances.
- Research the law with text and electronic resources.
- Identify the facts, issues, rules, analysis and conclusions (known as the FIRAC method) in reported case law.
- Apply the FIRAC method to hypothetical legal problems.
- Communicate legal conclusions to legal professionals.
- Describe the basic operation principles of software used in the legal profession.
- Demonstrate the time and resource management required to meet multiple deadlines in several, simultaneous projects.
- Prepare pleadings, documents, and demonstrative exhibits used in the practice of law.
Discover the requirements for our Paralegal Studies Certificate. For in-depth information, explore our Catalog.
Explore your journey with our Paralegal Studies Certificate program. Get the full program details in our Catalog.
All Students must complete all admission requirements to TCC and complete the Paralegal Studies Application. Post Degree Certificate students must have a bachelor's degree, an A.A., A.S., or an A.A.S. degree to be admitted to the program for the proposed option.
Apply for Admission Apply to Program
For any questions about Admission to the Program and/or a copy of the Legal Specialty Course Transfer Policy please contact the Program Coordinator, Michael Speck michael.speck@tulsacc.edu.
This Paralegal Studies Program prepares graduates to work as professional assistants under the supervision of attorneys. All Paralegal Studies students receive training in civil procedure, contracts, real property, legal research and writing, drafting of documents, litigation support, law office systems and management, and use of computers in the legal environment. Program students will take at least 10 semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through traditional classroom instruction.
The paralegal may be asked to accomplish a variety of duties as part of his or her job. In addition to routine office duties, paralegals:
- Conduct research and draft documents
- Interview clients
- Locate and interview witnesses
- Perform investigations
- Compile statistical documentary research
- Draft correspondence and pleadings
- Summarize depositions, interrogatories, and testimonies
- Assist attorneys in preparing for trial
- Collect and analyze evidence
However, paralegals are prohibited from offering legal advice and arguing cases in court and paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law. Paralegals either work with attorneys who assume professional responsibility for the final work product or in areas where lay individuals are explicitly authorized by statute or regulation to assume certain law-related responsibilities.
Graduates of TCC's Paralegal Studies Program are qualified to find employment in a variety of private and public businesses including:
- Corporate legal departments
- Law firms
- Hospitals
- Title insurance companies
- Real estate offices
- Various areas of the criminal justice and court system
- State and federal government offices
- Legal service projects.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the paralegal occupation is expected to grow faster than average as paralegals take on more responsibilities under a lawyer’s supervision. Starting salaries vary depending on the employer and region. However, TCC counselors or the Paralegal Studies Program director can provide more information on current salary trends.
All classes are taught by practicing lawyers and certified paralegals who bring years of relevant experience to the classroom.
Connect with real-time learning in our Online Live courses. Attend scheduled virtual classes, engage with peers and professors, and enjoy interactive lectures. Elevate your education with Online Live.
After a student satisfactorily completes the Paralegal Studies Program, he or she is eligible to take the examination given by the National Association of Legal Assistants to become a Certified Paralegal (CP) or that given by the National Association of Legal Professionals to become a certified Professional Paralegal (PP).
Program Contact
Program Coordinator
Michael Speck
918-595-7317
michael.speck@tulsacc.edu
School of Liberal Arts & Public Service
TCC Metro Campus
909 South Boston Avenue, MCAC G34
Tulsa, OK 74119
918-595-7066
publicservice@tulsacc.edu
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Careers in Paralegal Studies
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