Dec 04, 2024  
Baltimore City Community College’s 2024 - 2025 Catalog 
    
Baltimore City Community College’s 2024 - 2025 Catalog

Legal Assistant, AAS


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Legal Assistant Degree

The Legal Assistant, also referred to as a Paralegal, provides a variety of invaluable services in private law firms, banks, insurance companies, corporations, governmental agencies, and offices. Job duties often include conducting legal research, writing correspondence, drafting legal documents, and managing a law office. Paralegals may also investigate cases, interview clients and witnesses, and generally aid attorneys in preparing for trials and hearings.

BCCC offers an AAS degree program. Some paralegals advance their career beyond the associate or bachelor’s degree by entering law school.

Program Objectives:

  1. To provide a basic understanding of legal concepts and terminology.
  2. To develop strong analytical, research and writing skills.
  3. To develop an understanding of legal ethics and professional responsibility.
  4. To develop practical skills that will enable the paralegal to competently assist an attorney in the practice of law.

Students should note that a paralegal can only perform legal work under the direct supervision of an attorney, and are prohibited from independently engaging in the practice of law.


Suggested Sequence of Courses

** All BCCC students must meet the College’s Computer Literacy requirements in order to receive a degree or a certificate. All first-time, full- and part-time degree and certificate seeking students are required to complete the PRE 100  course within the first six credits.

Program Learning Outcomes


  • Distinguish between civil and criminal law.

  • Use appropriate legal terms.

  • Explain the characteristics of the state and federal court systems.

  • Use research and summary skills to develop a case brief.

  • Use knowledge of diversity and human relations in teamwork and communication.

  • Research employment opportunities; prepare an effective employment package, including resume, and present oneself positively in a job interview.

  • Use effective personal, interpersonal, time and project management skills required in the legal profession.

  • Adhere to professional and ethical standards appropriate to the legal profession.

  • Prepare a variety of legal documents, including correspondence, pleadings, charges, and tables from rough draft, transcription, forms, and boilerplate language.

  • Use computer hardware and software, especially the basic Microsoft Office software applications, to complete office tasks.

  • Perform mathematical operations applicable to the legal office field, such as calculating time and billing reports.

  • Prioritize, anticipate, and analyze problems; evaluate and implement solutions.

1st Semester


Total Semester Credits 14


2nd Semester


Total Semester Credits 16


3rd Semester


  • (3 credits)
  • PLA- Elective - **choose 2 courses from selected Track (6 credits)
  • PLA Special Topics: - *Choose 1 course from the 190 series (2 credits)
  • General Education Requirement: Biological and Physical Sciences with lab (4 credits)

Total Semester Credits 15


4th Semester


Total Semester Credits 15


Program Total 60


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