Human Services AAS – Legal Studies – Paralegal Program

Code: AAS.LS.PARALGL

Approved by the American Bar Association, the Bergen Community College Paralegal Studies program offers an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science.  The program combines a general education background with law related specialty courses to provide the graduate with communication skills, knowledge of the legal system, and practical hands-on-experience immediately applicable to the legal workplace.  The student will receive instruction on the basic principles of the law, along with the analytical, technical, and communication skills necessary for a career in the legal field. Topics of instruction include ethics and professional responsibilities of the legal profession, effective legal research and writing, and practical aspects of varied legal subject matters such as estates and trusts, commercial transactions, criminal and civil litigation, family law, real estate, legal accounting and business law.

Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public or give legal advice, except as permitted by law.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate knowledge in a range of substantive legal fields and practical skills that are necessary to enter the work force as a paralegal or legal nurse consultant.
• Demonstrate techniques of legal research, practice and procedure, investigation, interviewing, drafting of documents, motions and pleadings and other practical skills needed for an array of positions in the public, private and corporate law sectors.
• Practice ethical behavior and professional responsibility as a paralegal and legal nurse consultant.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the legal environment and work under the supervision of lawyers in the private, public and corporate sector.
• Respond to the needs of the legal community and promote the economical and efficient delivery of legal services through paralegals and legal nurse consultants working under the supervision of attorneys.

Total Credit Hours: 60

Specific Program Notes

Students are encouraged to take their courses in semester sequence order.

Please note that required courses may have prerequisites. Click on each course to view details.

*General Education Elective(s).

**IST-123 will fulfill 3 credit Free Electives for students who place into the course

Specialized LGL courses may only be offered in the evening or in alternating semesters

Students enrolled in this program ARE NOT REQUIRED to successfully complete a course in basic algebra if indicated by the Basic Skills Placement Test.

-THIS IS AN ABA APPROVED PARALEGAL PROGRAM

• Program completion does not authorize the graduate to practice law.
• The practice of law is limited to attorneys admitted to practice within the jurisdiction.
• Program Goals and Legal Course Transfer Policy are published on Department Website.
• Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law (ABA guideline G-501.A.3).