Paralegal Studies Degree (PLD)

This degree prepares you for a paralegal position in a legal setting such as a law office, courthouse, administrative agency, corporate inhouse counsel office, or insurance company. You will learn to gather and analyze facts relevant to legal disputes, perform legal research, draft legal documents, and prepare witnesses and evidence for presentation at legal proceedings. An effective paralegal must have a firm grasp on both substantive and procedural law, excellent communication skills, and the ability to think analytically and logically. This program provides you with the skills necessary to perform specifically delegated substantive legal work under the supervision of a lawyer.

Campus/format: This program can be completed online or during the day or evening at the Gardner or Leominster Campus.

Helpful hints: Students enrolling in the Paralegal Practicum must contact the program coordinator for approval and available options: (978) 630-9359.

Transfer options: This program prepares students for immediate career entry. However, Joint Admissions agreements exist with state colleges and universities including Bridgewater State and UMASS Lowell. Articulation agreements exist with Becker College, which has a related bachelor’s degree program in Legal Studies, Charter Oak State College, and the University of Phoenix. This program qualifies for the Franklin University Community College Alliance program. Visit MWCC’s transfer services website: http://transfer.mwcc.edu

Special requirements: Technical standards must be met with or without accommodations.

Career options: Paralegal, law clerk, document clerk, or legal assistant in the private or public sector.

Earning potential: $31,921 to $52,717 per year; varies greatly depending on education, training, experience, employer, and geographic location.

*Electives: all PLS courses, ACC101, ACC102, ACC224, BUS212, CIS121, CIS123, CJU133, CJU134, ECO101, ECO102, ENG106, ENG239, ENG240, HIS121, MKT142, MKT241, POL250, PSY246
†PER130 is recommended for transfer.
††Note: A four-credit science with a lab is highly recommended for transfer: BIO, CHE, EAS, PHY, NRT

Elective courses by abbreviation

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Program Competencies

Upon graduation from this program students shall have demonstrated the ability to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of substantive and procedural legal principles.
2. Perform legal analysis, research and writing.
3. Develop effective communication skills (oral and written).
4. Use computer technology as it applies to law.
5. Exhibit administrative and employment skills applicable in a law office setting.
6. Demonstrate ability to perform pre-trial tasks including interviewing, client intake, basic investigation, and drafting of pre-trial discovery.
7. Draft basic legal documents such as wills, mortgages, and leases.

Technical Standards*

*general information about technical standards and accommodation.

Students entering into this program must be able to demonstrate the ability to:

1. Comprehend textbook material at the 11th grade level.
2. Communicate and assimilate information verbally and in a printed format.
3. Gather, analyze, and draw conclusions from data.
4. Complete forms using a typewriter or similar office machine.
5. Input data into a computer.
6. Comprehend data from a computer screen, transcribe notes (dictation), and conduct library and Internet research for a minimum of a three-hour period of time.