Paralegal Certificate

This is an archived copy of the 2021-22 Catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.jccc.edu/.

You must have completed an associate of arts, associate of science, bachelor's, or graduate degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution to apply to the Paralegal Certificate program. The prerequisite courses must each be completed with a grade of "C" or higher either prior to admission to the paralegal program or during the first semester in the Paralegal Certificate program. A minimum of 18 hours of legal specialty courses must be taken from Johnson County Community College. JCCC, as an American Bar Association-approved paralegal program, requires its students to take at least nine semester credits through synchronous (real-time) instruction, which may occur on campus or online. Please contact Gwenda Hawk for more information.

PARALEGALS MAY NOT PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES DIRECTLY TO THE PUBLIC, EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY LAW.

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

Students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all LAW courses.

Suggested Order of Courses

Students may take any number of courses each semester that will also allow them to fulfill their other personal and professional responsibilities.

(Major Code 489A; State CIP Code 22.0302)

Paralegal Program web page

Program Prerequisites

LAW 120Introduction to Paralegal Studies3
LAW 121Introduction to Law3
Total Hours6

First Semester

LAW 132Civil Litigation*3
LAW 134Introduction to Legal Technology*3
LAW 195Legal Research*3
Paralegal Elective (see below)3
Total Hours12

Second Semester

LAW 201Advanced Legal Technology*3
LAW 205Legal Analysis and Writing*3
LAW 271Legal Ethics, Interviewing and Investigation*3
Paralegal Electives (see below)6
Total Hours15

Paralegal Electives

LAW 142Tort Law*3
LAW 144Contract Law*3
LAW 148Criminal Litigation*3
LAW 152Real Estate Law*3
LAW 162Family Law*3
LAW 165Forensic Science and the Law*3
LAW 226Immigration Law*3
LAW 245Elder Law and Estate Planning*3
LAW 247Intellectual Property Law*3
LAW 266Employment Law*3
LAW 269Bankruptcy Law*3
LAW 275Paralegal Internship I*1
LAW 276Paralegal Internship II*1
LAW 277Paralegal Internship III*1
LAW 292Special Topics:*3

Total Program Hours: 33