Program Details

Career Studies Certificate in Paralegal Studies

Career Studies Certificate

Brightpoint Community College

This one-year program prepares students for entry-level jobs in the legal field. Jobs include paralegal and legal assistant.

Outcomes

By the completion of this program, students will be expected to demonstrate an introductory level of competency in the following skills:

Research and evaluate a case brief.
Perform legal research.
Write a memorandum of law.

Program Overview & Guidance

Program Web Page

Click here for Details

External Link

Delivery Mode

In-Person

Check Course Schedules

Delivery Mode

Online

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Delivery Mode

Hybrid

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Program Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree
Program Requirement Notes	Program Requirement Notes BCC allows open admission for this program. More information on how to get started at BCC can be found at: https://www.brightpoint.edu/admissions/get-started/
Considerations When Selecting Courses	Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year Connect with an advisor at your community college and Brightpoint Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights

Program Credit Requirements

Credit and Course Requirements for the Program are expected in a future release.

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:

Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.

If you are interested in the cost of attending this institution, please visit the institution's cost page to review costs

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School
Credit for Prior Learning	Brightpoint accepts multiple forms of credit for prior learning, including scores on standardized tests such as AP/IB/CLEP/DANTES as well as courses and training completed in the military, criminal justice academies, technology certification programs, and health services certification programs. See https://www.brightpoint.edu/paying-for-brightpoint/pay-tuition/military-veterans-educational-benefits/credit-for-prior-experience/
Did You Know That...	Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree? Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Brightpoint Community College

College Level Information

Transfer Center

Visit our transfer site for more information

External Link

Transfer Admission Application

Transfer Students - Apply Here

External Link

Transfer Student Aid

Financial Aid for Transfer Students

External Link

Number of Transfer Students

3835

College Fit Guidance	What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me?	At Brightpoint, our vision is "A success story for every student." With our small classes, our large number of courses and in-demand programs (including many online!), partnerships with area employers, and our award-winning faculty, Brightpoint Community College can help you begin your journey to a Bachelor's degree, a job, or both!
Transfer Student Catalog Year	A student's catalog year determined by their first semester of attendance.
First Year Student Catalog Year	A student's catalog year determined by their first semester of attendance.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions	Not required.

Where Can This Degree Transfer

This section displays VCCS degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to most efficiently transfer your current course work. So, you can use this list to find a degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.

Institution	Title	Degree	Award Name	Award Level	Delivery Mode
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies - General Practice Specialization	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies - Litigation Specialization	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal Studies	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	Hybrid
Mountain Empire Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal Studies	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies Degree	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Tidewater Community College	Associate of Applied Science - Paralegal Studies	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies Degree	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid

Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code	Name	Description	Parent
23-2099.00	Legal Support Workers, All Other	All legal support workers not listed separately.	Legal Occupations
23-2011.00	Paralegals and Legal Assistants	Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.	Legal Occupations
23-2093.00	Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers	Search real estate records, examine titles, or summarize pertinent legal or insurance documents or details for a variety of purposes. May compile lists of mortgages, contracts, and other instruments pertaining to titles by searching public and private records for law firms, real estate agencies, or title insurance companies.	Legal Occupations

Cost To Complete

This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 18 credits remaining to be completed

Residence State

Delivery Mode

Service Member?

Service Status *

Branch

GI Bill (for Spouses/Dependants)

Disability Discharge

Residence City

Hours to Complete Degree *

Minimum Term of Active Duty

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.

Estimated Cost for the Plan Name Not Provided at Brightpoint Community College These costs are based on an estimated 1 semesters or 0.5 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category	Cost	Basis	Cost (To You)	Estimated Benefits	Net Cost	Notes
Tuition	$0	Per Credit	$0	$0	$0
Fees
Mandatory Fees	$0	Per Credit	$0	0	$0	Mandatory fees are Auxiliary fee ($4 per credit hour) and Student Activities ($1 per credit hour)

*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.

Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:

You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.