Paralegal Specialist

The Paralegal Specialist Certificate is a Post-Degree Certificate that provides students who already possess an associate or bachelor’s degree with the skills to conduct legal research, draft legal documents, interact with clients, other legal professionals, and the courts, analyze and comply with procedural issues, and implement detailed office procedures for the efficient handling of matters in the legal field.

This is an accelerated one-year program option that allows students to complete their paralegal training in a shorter amount of time by transferring into the Paralegal Certificate Program 24 general education course credits from their previous degree. Students must be able to transfer in ENG 101, ENG 102, and Public Speaking (9 hours) in addition to 15 hours in at least three of the following disciplines: Social Sciences, English, Natural Sciences, Mathematics, Humanities, or Foreign Languages.

The Paralegal Program offers both day and evening LEG classes, as well as synchronously (remote learning), for those students who cannot come on campus.  To attend synchronously, the student must have access to a reliable internet connection and a computer that is equipped with both audio and video capability to participate in the class with their fellow students on campus. 

Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL) Statement: Paralegals must work under the supervision of a licensed attorney and are not authorized to practice law in South Carolina (S.C. Code § 40-5-310). 

HGTC's Paralegal program is approved by the American Bar Association and is a member of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE).

Admissions Information

Specific Admission Requirements for Program

• Completion of an Associate or Bachelor's degree

Transferring Courses:

• No more than 50% of the transferring students’ legal specialty paralegal courses may be transferred from another institution. Each legal specialty course submitted for transfer consideration is evaluated by the program director.
• Transferability is based on course content, hours and modality of instruction, and the grade earned in the course by the student. College transcripts and syllabi are reviewed to determine whether acceptance of transfer credits is appropriate.
• The transferring institution's paralegal program must be approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) and the courses must be substantially similar to that of the course description contained within the HGTC college catalog.
• No legal specialty courses will be transferable into HGTC, regardless of American Bar Association Approval status, if the courses were completed by the student more than 5 years from the date of transfer.
• Computer skills are required for any paralegal position.

Course Sequence and Progression Requirements

A minimum grade of "C" or better is required for all LEG-prefixed courses for progression and graduation. Most Paralegal (LEG) courses are offered only once each year, so following the recommended course sequence is extremely important.

Student Resources

• Cost of Attendance
• Paralegal Specialist Certificate Program Specific Cost

For more information, contact:
Donna McQueen (843) 477-2006

Career Outlook & Employment Opportunities

Career Outlook

The paralegal job is a wonderful way to gain expertise and experience in the legal profession and to grow into a capable professional with a vast array of opportunities and career paths. Paralegals and legal assistants are found in all types of organizations, but most work for law firms, corporate legal departments, or government agencies.

Employers of HGTC Alumni Include:

For more information about careers, visit O*Net Online for an overview of South Carolina and National earnings statistics, and Career Services for more employment, career, and professional development resources.

 

Required Courses and Sample Schedules

*In addition to the 36 credit hours required, the student must transfer in or complete the following 24 credit hours in order to receive the Paralegal Certificate:

• ENG 101: English Composition I
• ENG 102: English Composition II
• SPC 205: Public Speaking

and

15 semester credit hours or the equivalent of General Education in three of the following disciplines:

• Social Sciences
• English
• Natural Sciences
• Mathematics
• Humanities
• Foreign Languages