Program of Study
Curriculum
The curriculum for the Paralegal Certificate consists of five required courses: four core courses, which all students take, and one specialty course, which each student selects. The specialty course is a 161 classroom hour course in one of three areas of law practice: Civil Litigation, Business Organizations or Real Estate. To receive the certificate, students must earn a grade of C or better in each required course. The coursework is designed to be completed three evenings per week for two semesters. All coursework must be completed within two calendar years.
Legal Survey and Legal Research
The Paralegal Program offers prospective students the opportunity to take two classes before being officially admitted into the Paralegal Program, Legal Survey and Legal Research.
Please note that Legal Survey is a pre- or co-requisite to Legal Research and that if you would like to finish the program, all classes must be completed within two years. If you have any further questions, please contact Marisa Campbell at campbellma@meredith.edu or 919-760-8354 or Tamar Harris at paralegal@meredith.edu or 919-760-2855.
Changes in the curriculum and in the calendar may occur without notice.
Required Courses
Core Courses:
Legal Survey
Law Office Management
Legal Research (Pre- or co-requisite: Legal Survey)
Professional Development
Specialty Course: (select one)
Civil Litigation
Business Organizations
Real Estate
Law Office Management, Professional Development and the specialty courses are open only to students formally admitted to the certificate program. Students must take all core courses either before or concurrent with their specialty course. Legal Survey must be taken before or concurrent with Legal Research.
The entire required curriculum totals 310 classroom hours, equivalent to 20.27 semester hours. Classes are 3 or 3.5 hours in length. Legal Survey and Legal Research are open to persons who have not yet been formally admitted to the program. Prospective students taking Legal Survey or Legal Research must have at least a 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale and be at least a junior or senior in a four-year accredited college. Students wishing to take Law Office Management must have a bachelor’s degree and at least a 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Taking a course on a trial basis can be valuable to students who wish to learn more about the field before applying and choosing their specialty, or who have concerns about their ability to meet academic or admission requirements. Approval from the Director of the Paralegal Program is required to take these courses.
Course Descriptions
Legal Survey
45 classroom hours
Learning Outcomes: Students will gain an overview of the legal system and the major substantive areas of the law. Students will become familiar with basic legal concepts and will be able to understand and use legal terminology. Students will be able to identify and explain the function of various legal documents and procedures. Topics include: The federal and state judicial systems; civil procedure; torts; contracts; real property; wills, trusts and estate administration; domestic law; criminal law; corporations, agency and partnership.
Legal Research
45 classroom hours
Learning Outcomes: Students will learn how to use the law library and Westlaw or Lexis to find legal authority that is on point. Students will learn the basic principles of legal analysis and writing, and will be able to brief a case and research and write an office memorandum of law. Students will be able to cite authorities correctly and to update and validate citations using Shepard’s citations. Topics include: Federal and state statutes, cases, and administrative regulations; reading and understanding caselaw and statutes; use of encyclopedias, annotations, legal periodicals, and other secondary authority; use of digests, indexes, and other finding aids; citation form; cite-checking and validation of authority; use of Shepard’s citations; research methods; legal resources available on the Internet. Pre-requisite/co-requisite: Legal Survey.
Law Office Management and Professional Responsibility
45 classroom hours
Learning Outcomes: Learning Outcomes: Students will gain an understanding of the role of the paralegal in the law office. Students will gain a thorough knowledge of the N.C. Rules of Professional Conduct and their applicability to attorneys and paralegals. Students will be able to identify ethical issues a paralegal may encounter and determine the appropriate response. Students will become familiar with a variety of law office procedures and management techniques. Topics include: Definition, role and responsibilities of the paralegal; confidentiality; conflicts of interest; unauthorized practice of law; professional negligence; developing forms and systems; time keeping and billing; tickler systems; communications skills. Pre-requisite: Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook. If you are not proficient in these programs, you should take computer classes at a local college or community college.
Professional Development
15 classroom hours
Learning Outcomes: Students will create a resume and cover letter and professional portfolio. Students will be able to identify several different types of legal employers and environments. Students will become familiar with employer expectations. Topics include: Resume and cover letter writing, creating a professional portfolio, interviewing, the job search, employer expectations. Pre-requisite: Acceptance into the program
Civil Litigation Specialty
161 classroom hours
Learning Outcomes: Students will gain a working knowledge of the NC and federal court systems, the stages of civil litigation and the rules of civil procedure. Students will learn how to gather information and evidence in a civil lawsuit. Students will gain a thorough understanding of the discovery process and will be able prepare appropriate discovery devices and respond to discovery requests. Students will be able to draft complaints, answers and motions and will be able to file and obtain service of court documents. Students will be able to prepare a trial notebook and a settlement brochure. Topics include: Stages of a civil action; organization of N.C. and Federal court systems; personal and subject matter jurisdiction; rules of procedure; basic principles of tort and contract; role of the paralegal in litigation; confidentiality and conflicts of interest. Investigation of facts; evidence; interviewing of clients and witnesses; ethical considerations in interviewing; preparation of diagrams and maps; location and review of public records; obtaining and reviewing medical records; expert witnesses. Commencement of action; parties and capacity; requirements and drafting of complaint, answer, counterclaim, reply; affirmative defenses; joinder of claims and parties; process and service of process; motions addressed to the pleadings; case intake and management; docket control.
Purpose and scope of discovery under N.C. and Federal rules; preparing for and digesting depositions; drafting and responding to interrogatories; requests for production of documents; sanctions and protective orders. Preparation for trial; pretrial conference and order; preparation of settlement brochure and trial notebook; assisting at trial. Judgments and mechanisms for enforcement of judgments; appeals; notice of appeal and route of appeal. Electives: Within this specialty, students will enroll in five 4-week courses in substantive areas of the law. Students will receive one grade for the specialty course which will include the grades they have received in the short courses.
Business Organizations
161 classroom hours
Learning Outcomes: Students will gain a thorough understanding of the laws pertaining to the structure, formation and operation of corporations and partnerships. Students will be able to prepare and file articles of incorporation and to prepare bylaws, minutes, notices and other documents for corporate meetings. Students will learn to maintain corporate minute books and shareholder records. Students will be able to prepare documents relating to mergers, acquisitions and dissolutions. Students will become familiar with the basic principles of contract, employment and business regulatory law and will learn to draft contracts and other documents relating to corporate financing and other corporate transactions. Topics include: types of business organizations; sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations; considerations in selecting form of organization; non-profit and professional corporations. Organizing the corporation; subscription agreements; articles of incorporation; bylaws; filing and formalities; shareholder agreements; foreign corporations; qualification in other jurisdictions. Financial structure of corporations; equity and debt securities; classes of stock; capital; dividends and distributions to shareholders; repurchase of shares; federal and state securities laws; registration requirements and exemptions. Corporate meetings: organizational meeting; directors’ regular and special meetings; annual meeting of shareholders; shareholder rights and duties; voting; minutes; action without meeting.
Regulatory statutes and compliance: consumer protection; environmental protection; antitrust; employment laws. Agency; employment agreements; restrictive covenants and covenants not to compete; trade secret protection. Secured transactions; notes, security agreements and financing statements. Changes in corporate structure and dissolution; amendment of articles of incorporation; merger and consolidation; sale of assets; liquidation and dissolution; rights of dissenting shareholders. Litigation involving corporations. Electives: Within this specialty, students will enroll in five 4-week courses in substantive areas of the law. Students will receive one grade for the specialty course which will include the grades they have received in the short courses.
Real Estate Specialty
161 classroom hours
Learning Outcomes: Students will gain a thorough understanding of legal concepts and terminology pertaining to real property law, title examination, title insurance and transfer of interests in real property. Students will learn the techniques of title examination and will gain experience in conducting complete title searches. Students will become familiar with the procedures and documents used in a real estate closing. Students will gain a thorough understanding of the legal and ethical responsibilities of attorneys and paralegals in title examination and real estate transactions. Topics include: Principles of real property: estates in land, future interests, concurrent ownership, easements, fixtures; leases; recordation and priorities; title and title insurance. Types of deeds; legal descriptions, plats, and surveys; transfers by deed, will or inheritance; administration of estates; transfers by judicial sale, adverse possession, and operation of law. Purpose and methods of title examination; running a chain of title; abstracting deeds; estates; adverse conveyances; objections to title: restrictive covenants and zoning; city and county taxes; special assessments; U.C.C. filings; judgments, liens, lis pendens, and special proceedings. Preparation of exceptions sheet and report on title; organization of base title file. Contracts of sale; preparation for closing; closing checklists; preparation of notes, deeds, deeds of trust; closing statements; tax proration. Electives: Within this specialty, students will enroll in five 4-week courses in substantive areas of the law. Students will receive one grade for the specialty course which will include the grades they have received in the short courses.
Internship
80 classroom hours
The internship is not required. The purpose of the internship is to give the student exposure to a law office environment and the opportunity to observe and practice the skills learned in the classroom. Students are placed with local law firms and government offices and work under the supervision of an attorney or paralegal. Placements are arranged and monitored by the program director. Internships are structured as 8-week, 10 hour per week assignments during the second half of spring semester. Students arrange their own work schedule with the employer, generally working two mornings or afternoons per week. In general internships are unpaid. Students keep a journal of their activities and are evaluated by the employer at the conclusion of the internship. Pass/fail credit is awarded upon completion of the internship.
Program Statistics & Information
Meredith College’s Paralegal Program, a post-baccalaureate certificate program, prepares students to enter the Paralegal and Legal Assistant fields (SOC code 23-2011, and O*NET code 23-2011.00).
The Paralegal Program is designed to take one year to complete; that is two semesters that are each 15 weeks long.
Academic Year 2010-2011
- In AY 2010-2011, 46 students were registered in the program and 40 of then (87%) completed the program in one year.
- The job placement rate for those AY 2010-2011 graduates is 85%, and of them, 80% are working as a Paralegal or in another capacity in the legal field. Of the graduates, 5% were not seeking employment within 6 months of graduation. Of that year’s 40 graduates, we received a 95% response rate.
Academic Year 2009-2010
- In AY 2009-2010, 54 students were registered in the program and 48 of them (89%) completed the program in one year.
- The job placement rate for those AY 2009-2010 graduates is 85%, and of them, 79% are working as a Paralegal or in another capacity in the legal field and 2% applied to and were accepted into law school. Of that year's 48 graduates, we received a 98% survey response rate.
PARALEGAL PROGRAM
CALENDAR SCHEDULE
FALL SEMESTER 2012
| Registration Due | Monday, July 30 |
| Classes Begin | Monday, August 13 (see registration form) |
| Professional Development Class #1: Orientation, Resumes, Cover Letters |
Monday, August 13 |
| Professional Development Class #2: Career Panel |
Tuesday, August 14 |
| Last day to drop a course without paying | Tuesday, August 21 |
| Labor Day Holiday—No classes held | Monday, September 3 |
| Last Day to withdraw from a class | Friday, October 26 |
| Thanksgiving recess | Wednesday, November 21–Sunday, November 25 |
| Classes resume at 8 a.m. | Monday, November 26 |
| Last Day of Classes | Wednesday, November 28 |
| Registration Forms due by noon | Wednesday, December 5 |
| Winter Recess – Offices CLOSED | Wednesday, December 19-Tuesday, January 1 |
SPRING SEMESTER 2013
| Registration Forms due by noon | Wednesday, December 5 |
| Classes Begin | Wednesday, January 9 |
| Last day to drop a course without paying | Friday, January 16 |
| Holiday—Martin Luther King Day | Monday, January 21 |
| Professional Development: Career Fair | Wednesday, January 23 |
| Spring Recess | Monday, March 4–Sunday, March 10 |
| All Offices Closed for Spring Break | Friday, March 8 |
| Classes Resume at 8:00 a.m. | Monday, March 11 |
| Last Day to withdraw from a class | Tuesday, March 26 |
| Easter recess | Thursday, March 28–Sunday, March 31 |
| Classes resume at 8 a.m. | Monday, April 1 |
| Legal Research and Writing will NOT meet Short courses WILL meet |
Tuesday, April 16 |
| Last Day of Classes | Tuesday, May 7 |
| Paralegal Graduation | Wednesday, May 9 |
COURSE SCHEDULE: FALL 2012
| LEG 010A/400A Legal Survey (Ray) Harris 202 |
Mondays 6–9 pm |
Mondays, August 20–Mon, November 26 Class will also meet on Thursday, September 6 |
| LEG 010B/400B Legal Survey (Ray) Harris 202 |
Tuesdays 6–9 pm |
Tuesdays, August 21–Tues, November 27 |
| LEG 010C/400C Legal Survey (Campbell) Harris 202 |
Wednesdays 6–9 pm |
Wednesdays, August 15–Wed, November 28 |
| LEG 011A/401A Legal Research (Murphy-Farmer) Campbell Library 020 |
Tuesdays 6–9 pm |
Tuesdays, August 21–Tues, November 27 |
| LEG 011B/401B Legal Research (Murphy-Farmer) Campbell Library 020 |
Wednesdays 6–9 pm |
Wednesdays, August 15–Wed, November 28 |
| LEG 011C/401C Legal Research (Ableidinger) Campbell Library 020 |
Mondays 6–9 pm |
Mondays, August 20–Mon, November 26 Class will also meet on Thursday, September 6 |
| LEG 012A Law Office Management (Wagner) Ledford 110/111 |
Wednesdays 6–9 pm |
Wednesdays, August 22–Wed, November 28 |
| LEG 012B Law Office Management (Kaufman) Ledford 110/111 |
Mondays 6–9 pm |
Mondays, August 20–Mon, November 26 Class will also meet on Thursday, September 6 Class will also meet on Thursday, November 29 |
| LEG 012C Law Office Management (Wagner) Ledford 110/111 |
Tuesdays 6–9 pm |
Tuesdays, August 21–Tues, November 27 Class will also meet on Thursday, November 29 |
| LEG 013A Professional Development (Campbell) |
Class 1: Monday, August 15, 6-9 pm (Kresge Auditiorium) |
|
Note: Make-up classes and special events may be scheduled on some Thursday evenings.
COURSE SCHEDULE: SPRING 2013
| LEG 010A/400A Legal Survey (Ray) |
Thursdays 9am - noon |
Thursdays, January 10-May 2 |
| LEG 011A/401A Legal Research (Kilpatrick) |
Tuesdays 9am - noon |
Tuesdays, January 15-April 30 |
| LEG 020A Civil Litigation (Baker) |
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays 6–9:30 pm | Thursday, January 10-Tuesday, May 7 |
| LEG 021A Real Estate (Bowling/J. Campbell) |
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays 6–9:30 pm | Thursday, January 10-Tuesday, May 7 |
| LEG 023A Business Organizations (Ray) |
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays 6–9:30 pm | Thursday, January 10-Tuesday, May 7 |
| LEG 013A Professional Development (Campbell) |
Class 4: Career Fair,Wednesday, January 23: 6-9 pm Class 5: Meet with mentor by May 3 Portfolio Review/Exit Interview |
|
| LEG 033A Internship | Self-Directed | Self-Directed |
Note: Make-up classes and special events may be scheduled on some Wednesday evenings.
This calendar is subject to periodic review and change. Such changes will be distributed to the Paralegal Program students and will be available in the Paralegal Program office.