Middlesex Community College

MCC has 3 paralegal program options, all of which are approved by the American Bar Association:

1. Associate in Science, Liberal studies – Paralegal Studies Transfer
2. Associate in Science, Liberal studies – Paralegal Studies Career
3. Post-graduate Certificate in Paralegal Studies (Students in this Program must have a prior college degree and submit an official transcript showing completion of that degree)

Yes. There is no requirement to be a full-time student and we encourage you to take as many classes as fit your schedule and other demands, such as work or family.

Certificate Program: It is possible to complete the Certificate in one academic year if you are enrolled full time, however, this is not required. 

The Paralegal Studies Program director can work with you to find a schedule that meets your needs and allows you to progress through the program as quickly as possible. 

For the Post-graduate Certificate you need to take 27 credits or 9 paralegal courses. 

For an Associate's degree you need to complete 60 credits or 20 courses, which include booth paralegal and general education courses such as English and Math.

The length of the program depends on whether you are working full time, part time, or not at all, or have other obligations. A student who is not working can take 5 classes each semester and finish the post-graduate certificate in 2 semesters.  You could finish an Associate Degree in 4 semesters. However, if you are working and/or have other obligations, be realistic about your work load…most adults who are working full time take 1-2 classes each semester.

There is no time limit on completing the program.

All paralegal students take the following required courses: 
1. LGL 101 Introduction to Law
2. PAR 110 Legal Research and Writing I
3. PAR 210 Legal Research and Writing II
4. PAR 102 Litigation
5. Computer Applications for Paralegals.
*Students in the Associate- Career must also take PAR 199, Paralegal Internship or PAR 198, Law Office Management

Paralegal students also must complete electives. Students in the Certificate or Associate- Transfer Program must take four electives, and three of the four must be designated “Legal Specialty Electives.” Students in the Associate- Career Program must take six electives, and four must be Legal Specialty electives.

Electives rotate each semester, with at least two legal specialty courses offered in addition to the Internship.

Paralegal classes are offered online, with a mix of asynchronous, HyFlex, and remote/synchronous. Asynchronous classes are fully online, with no live meeting times required. Remote/synchronous classes are offered over Zoom (or similar platform) and require students to meet online during a designated date/time each week, together with their instructor and all students in the class. HyFlex classes meet live at a designated date/time each week and give students the option to attend in person or via remote/synchronous.

Most paralegal classes are offered during the fall and spring semesters; LGL 101 Introduction to Law and LGL 102 Business Law may be taken during the summer semester.

The summer semester is a wonderful time to start the Paralegal Studies Program with LGL 101 Introduction to Law. We also offer LGL 102, Business Law. 

We recommend all students begin with LGL 101 Introduction to Law. We also recommend taking a combination of required courses and electives each semester. 

How many classes to take depends on whether you are working full time, part time, or not at all, or have other obligations. A student who is not working can take 5 courses and finish the post-graduate certificate in 2 semesters or an Associate’s Degree in 4 semesters. But if you are working and/or have other obligations, be realistic about your work load…most adults working full time take 1 -2 courses per semseter.

We recommend saving the Internship for your final semester; this course also requires completion of Legal Research and Writing I. 

A certificate is not the same thing as certification. There is currently no requirement of certification in any state for paralegals. You can read more about voluntary exams which are offered by NFPA and NALA. Go to www.paralegals.org or www.nala.org

Note that these exams are not required, and paralegals do not have to pass an exam in order to work as a paralegal in any state (the way that attorneys have to pass the bar exam). 

The American Bar Association also has a helpful article about paralegal certification: http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/paralegals/ls_prlgs_diff_bet_paralegal_certificate_certification.authcheckdam.pdf

MCC Career Services works with students on interviewing, resumes, and job search skills.

The Paralegal Program also hosts a Paralegal Career Night each semester, which is an opportunity to meet and network with working paralegals. 

The Paralegal Program is a sustaining member of both the Massachusetts Paralegal Association and the Paralegal Association of New Hampshire- both wonderful networking organizations that post open jobs and hold networking and professional development events. They have student memberships and we encourage everyone to join and get involved. 

The Paralegal Internship class and Law Office Management also assist with resume and cover letter wrioting and overall job search strategies.

The Paralegal Department also maintains an email list of all alumni, and emails graduates with new jobs that are brought to our attention.