Overview
The Paralegal Certificate program at Cincinnati State prepares students for careers in the legal profession in three key employment areas: employees of attorneys (the dominant category), self-employed individuals who work for attorneys, and self-employed individuals who provide their services directly to the public with attorney supervision.
Students learn substantive and procedural law, concentrating on the most prevalent areas of legal practice, as well as general civil and criminal litigation practice.
Students earning the Administrative Assistant degree with emphasis in the Legal Administrative Assistant track may wish to add the Paralegal Certificate to enhance their studies.
To be admitted to the certificate programs, students must have an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, or Program Chair consent.
Related Programs
Paralegal (PAR)Administrative Assistant - Legal Administrative Assistant track (AA)Contacts
Program Chair
Advisor
Career Outlook
Graduates Are Prepared To
- Conduct proficient legal research
- Draft effective and persuasive legal documents
Representative Job Titles For Graduates
- Paralegal
Graduate Employment Outlook
Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 17 percent through 2022, faster than the average for all occupations.
$43,040 median annual salary (full-time paralegals and legal assistants) Earnings vary depending upon education, experience, and type of employer
Graduate Starting Salary Projections
Contacts
Program Chair
Advisor
Curriculum
Effective 2024-2025 academic year
Paralegal Certificate (LAW)
| Semester 1 | Lec | Lab | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAW 101 | Business Law | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| IM 130 | Electronic Word Processing: Microsoft Word | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| IM 165 | Legal Office Environment | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| IM 225 | Legal Document Formatting | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| XXX XXX Computer Skills Elective | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Semester 2 | ||||
| LAW 120 | Legal Research and Writing | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| LAW 130 | Estate Planning, Family and Probate Law | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| LAW 210 | Litigation | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| LAW 290 | Paralegal Capstone | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| XXX XXX Technical Elective | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Total Credits: | 28 | 6 | 30 | |
Electives
| Computer Skills Elective (3 credit hours required) | ||
| ACC 121 | Computerized Bookkeeping: QuickBooks 1 | 1 |
| IM 107 | Introductory Electronic Presentations: Microsoft PowerPoint | 1 |
| IM 108 | Introductory Electronic Spreadsheets: Microsoft Excel | 1 |
| IM 109 | Introductory Database Management: Microsoft Access | 1 |
| IM 111 | Computer Applications | 3 |
| IM 120 | Electronic Spreadsheets: Microsoft Excel | 3 |
| IM 135 | Business Document Formatting | 3 |
| IM 145 | Document Proofreading and Editing | 3 |
| IM 150 | Electronic Presentations: Microsoft PowerPoint | 3 |
| IM 155 | Emerging Technologies and Social Media | 3 |
| Technical Elective (3 credit hours required) | ||
| CRJ 105 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 120 | Introduction to Courts | 3 |
| HIM 105 | Legal Aspects of Health Information Management | 2 |
| LAW 110 | Employment and Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 150 | Bankruptcy, Debt Collection and Secured Transactions | 3 |
| RE 105 | Real Estate Law | 3 |