In addition to the programs leading to an
Paralegal Certificate,
a
Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies
degree, and a
Bachelor of Business Administration
degree, National Paralegal College offers a course of study leading to an associate's degree in paralegal studies. This program is suitable for students who seek a broad-based foundation in legal studies and business, as well as for students who would like to use their paralegal training as a stepping-stone to a bachelor's degree.
The amount of time required to complete the associate's degree program varies with student course load, as illustrated below.
Time required to complete the associate's degree program
- For students taking 3 courses at a time:
15 months
- For students taking 2 courses at a time:
21 months
- For students taking 1 courses at a time:
41 months
To earn an associate's degree, a student must earn a total of 60 credits, as follows:
| Optional, self-paced introductory course: |
| Four paralegal core courses: |
Total: 12 credits |
Core legal courses
These courses use online courseware. No textbook purchase is required.
Elective legal courses
* These courses have recommended prerequisites.
** These courses have required prerequisites.
These courses use online courseware. No textbook purchase is required.
Click the course name for more information.
The remaining 24 credits may come from any course offered by NPC, subject to the following general education requirements.
All students must earn at least 15 general education credits (i.e., credits that are not legal studies courses). Of these 15 credits, the following minimum discipline requirements apply:
Complete at least 1 course (3 credits) in English Writing. NPC Courses that satisfy this requirement are:
Complete at least 1 course (3 credits) in Mathematics. NPC Courses that satisfy this requirement are:
Upon successful completion of the Associate of Paralegal Studies degree program, students will be able to:
(The following program outcomes relate to the legal education components of the program.)
- Demonstrate written legal communication skills.
- Employ basic legal research skills including manual and technology-supported research.
- Employ basic legal analysis skills including with respect to case opinions, real-world fact patterns, and hypothetical scenarios.
- Apply critical thinking skills in typical paralegal work assignments.
- Prepare basic legal documents including legal memoranda, motions, pleadings, and related court documents.
- Assemble legal documents for purposes of satisfying tasks typically requested of an entry-level paralegal.
- Describe the role of the paralegal in the modern-day legal setting.
- Differentiate between authorized and unauthorized practices of law.
- Employ legal technology to access basic legal documents and legal resources including federal and state court websites and case law.
- Evaluate real-world and hypothetical legal scenarios for ethical considerations.
- Perform entry-level paralegal tasks in compliance with applicable rules of professional conduct
(The following program outcomes relate to the general education components of the program.)
- Employ appropriate forms of written communication in a variety of professional contexts.
- Develop professionally written documents.
- Assess available information for bias, unwarranted assumptions and logical error.
- Examine arguments and ideas logically and from multiple perspectives.
- Demonstrate basic mathematical reasoning skills.