Paralegal Studies
The Paralegal Studies (PLS) program at MGTC is designed to train students to become paralegals or legal assistants, qualified to aid lawyers in the delivery of legal services. Graduates of the Paralegal Studies program will be able to conduct research, interview clients, and draft court documents and other legal correspondence.
The PLS program provides training in ethical obligations; research of state and federal law; legal correspondence preparation; family law matters; basic concepts of real property law; criminal law and procedure; civil litigation; tort law; substantive contract law; and wills, trusts, and probate. We offer day and evening courses.
Job Outlook:
Graduates of the Paralegal Studies program are prepared for employment in a variety of positions which require specialized legal knowledge, as well as research and communication skills. Entry level salaries in the Middle Georgia area range from $19,000 - $24,000.
Associate Degrees
- Paralegal Studies
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The Paralegal Associate of Applied Science degree program prepares students for positions in the paralegal profession. Learning opportunities develop academic, technical, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The knowledge and skills emphasized in this program include ethical obligations; research of state and federal law; legal correspondence preparation; family law matters; basic concepts of real property law, criminal law and procedure, civil litigation, tort law, and substantive contract law; and wills, trusts, and probate. The program of study emphasizes opportunities that provide students with specialized legal knowledge and skills required to aid lawyers in the delivery of legal services. Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the Certified Legal Assistant exam, sponsored by the National Association of Legal Assistants. Program graduates receive a Paralegal Studies Associate of Applied Science degree.
Course # Course Title Credit Hours Essential General Core Courses 30 ENG 191 Composition & Rhetoric I 5 ENG 193 Composition & Rhetoric II 5 SPC 191 Fundamentals of Speech 5 PSY 191 Introduction to Psychology 5 MAT 191 College Algebra 5 SOC 191 Sociology 5 or ECO 191 Principles of Economics (5) Essential Fundamental Occupational Courses 75 PLS 101 Introduction to Law and Ethics 5 PLS 102 Legal Research 5 PLS 103 Legal Writing 5 PLS 104 Family Law 5 PLS 105 Real Estate Law 5 PLS 108 Criminal Law & Criminal Procedure 5 PLS 109 Civil Litigation 5 PLS 110 Wills, Trusts, Probate & Admin 5 PLS 111 Tort Law 5 PLS 116 Contracts and Commercial Law 5 PLS 118 Paralegal Internship 12 SCT 100 Microcomputer Fundamentals 3 XXX xxx Electives 10 Completion of Two of the Following 10 PLS 112 Law Office Management 5 PLS 115 Business Organizations 5 PLS 117 Advanced Research 5 Credits Required for Graduation 115
Technical Certificates of Credit
- Advanced Legal Assistant
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The Advanced Legal Assistant Technical Certificate is designed to provide educational opportunities for persons with baccalaureate degrees, who are seeking to gain new employment skills and enable them to become successfully employed in the paralegal profession. Emphasis will be placed on skills needed for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The TCC courses provide instruction in Paralegal Fundamentals, Legal Research, Civil Litigation, and substantive law, such as Real Estate Law, Torts, and Contracts and Commercial Law. Completion of the Advanced Legal Assistant TCC will make a student eligible to sit for the national certification examination offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).
Course # Course Title Credit Hours PLS 101 Introduction to Law & Ethics 5 PLS 104 Family Law 5 PLS 108 Criminal Law & Criminal Procedure 5 SCT 100 Microcomputer Fundamentals 3 PLS102 Legal Research 5 PLS105 Real Estate Law 5 PLS111 Torts 5 PLS109 Civil Litigation 5 PLS116 Contracts and Commercial Law 5 Total Hours required for Graduation 43 - Legal Assistant
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The Legal Assistant Technical Certificate is designed to provide educational opportunities for persons seeking to gain new employment skills and enable them to become successfully employed in the paralegal profession. Emphasis will be placed on skills needed for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The TCC courses provide instruction in Paralegal Fundamentals, as well as Accounting, Document Processing, Real Estate Law, and Civil Litigation.
Course # Course Title Credit Hours PLS 101 Introduction to Law & Ethics 5 PLS 104 Family Law 5 PLS 108 Criminal Law & Criminal Procedure 5 SCT 100 Microcomputer Fundamentals 3 ACC 101 Principles of Accounting I 6 BUS101 Beginning Document Processing 5 BUS108 Word Processing 7 PLS105 Real Estate Law 5 PLS109 Civil Litigation 5 Total Hours required for Graduation 46 - Paralegal Fundamentals
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The Paralegal Fundamentals technical certificate of credit program prepares students for positions in the paralegal profession. Learning opportunities develop academic, technical and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition retention, and advancement. The knowledge and skills emphasized in this program include ethical obligations; research of state and federal law; legal correspondence preparation; family law matters; and basic concepts of criminal law and procedure. The program emphasizes opportunities that provide students with specialized legal knowledge and skills required to aid lawyers in the delivery of legal services.
Course # Course Title Credit Hours PLS 101 Introduction to Law & Ethics 5 PLS 104 Family Law 5 PLS 108 Criminal Law & Criminal Procedure 5 SCT 100 Microcomputer Fundamentals 3 Total Hours required for Graduation 18 - Technical Communications Specialist
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Course # Course Title Credit Hours Essential General Core Courses 30 ENG 191 Composition and Rhetoric 5 ENG 195 Technical Communications 5 SPC 191 Fundamentals of speach 5 PSY 191 Introductory Psychology 5 MAY 191 College Algebra 5 XXX xxx Elective 5 Optional Core Courses 19 SCT 100 Introduction to Microcomputers 3 BUS 101 Beginning Document Processing 5 CIS 127 Word-Processing & Desktop Publishing 6 BUS 161 Desktop Publishing 1 5 Total Hours required for Graduation 49
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Degree Types
At MGTC we offer three different levels of credit programs:
- Associate Degree
- Middle Georgia Technical College offers associate level degrees. They usually take between 1.5 and 2 years to complete. AAS programs include English and Math courses that can transfer to other four year institutions in the state.
- Diploma
- Middle Georgia Technical College's Diploma Level programs usually take between 1 and 1.5 years to complete and include basic courses, as well as specific technical or occupational courses to prepare students for the workforce.
- Certificate
- Technical Certificates of Credit (TCCs) usually take about 2 quarters (half a year) to complete and generally focus on very specialized knowledge. These programs teach students specific skills that they can apply in the workforce.