Overview
The Law and Paralegal Studies 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 associate’s 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.
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 about 12 percent by 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.
$45,341 - $52,900 annual salary (full-time paralegals and legal assistants) Earnings vary depending upon education, experience, and type of employer
Graduate Starting Salary Projections
Curriculum
Effective 2024-2025 academic year
Law and Paralegal Studies Certificate (LAWC)
| 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 |
| XXX XXX Computer Applications 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: | 26 | 3 | 27 | |
Electives
| Computer Applications 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 |
| LAW 110 | Employment and Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 150 | Bankruptcy, Debt Collection, and Secured Transactions | 3 |
| RE 105 | Real Estate Law | 3 |