The expanding role of the paralegal in the delivery of legal services has created increased opportunities with private law firms, corporate legal departments, insurance companies, real estate and title firms, banks, and government agencies. If you are interested in entering this career field, you should be aware that although the number of jobs for trained paralegals is rising, competition for these positions is increasing. A minimum of 18 hours of legal specialty courses must be taken at Johnson County Community College. Please contact Gwenda Hawk for more information.
PARALEGALS MAY NOT PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICE DIRECTLY TO THE PUBLIC, EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY LAW.
JCCC, as an ABA approved paralegal program, requires its students to take at least ten semester credits through traditional classroom instruction.
The paralegal program at JCCC:
- Has a challenging curriculum
- Requires that you possess excellent communication skills, analytical ability and a high level of motivation
- Is approved by the American Bar Association
- Is a selective admission program based on various academic and testing criteria
Suggested Sample Course Sequence
Students may take any number of courses each semester that will also allow them to fulfill their other personal and professional responsibilities.
(Major Code 264A; State CIP Code 24.0101)
Associate of Arts Degree
Prerequisite Semester
First Semester
| LAW 195 | Legal Research* | 3 |
| SPD 120 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| or SPD 121 | Public Speaking |
| or SPD 125 | Personal Communication |
| ^ | 3 |
| ^ | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 |
Second Semester
| 3 |
| ENGL 122 | Composition II* | 3 |
| LAW 134 | Introduction to Legal Technology* | 3 |
| LAW 132 | Civil Litigation* | 3 |
| 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 |
Third Semester
| LAW 201 | Advanced Legal Technology* | 3 |
| LAW 205 | Legal Analysis and Writing* | 3 |
| ^ | 3 |
| ^ | 4 |
| Total Hours | 13 |
Fourth Semester
| 6 |
| LAW 271 | Legal Ethics, Interviewing and Investigation* | 3 |
| ^ | 2 |
| ^ | 3 |
| Total Hours | 14 |
Paralegal Electives
Total Program Hours: 63
