Paralegal Studies Associate of Applied Science Degree

PS13

Program Description: The Paralegal Studies program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for positions in the paralegal profession. Learning opportunities develop academic, technical and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The knowledge and skills emphasized in this program include ethical obligations; research in state and federal law; legal correspondence preparation; family law matters; basic concepts of real property law, criminal law and procedure, civil litigation, tort law, and substantive contract law; and wills, trusts, and probate. The program of study emphasizes opportunities that provide students with specialized legal knowledge and skills required to aid lawyers in the delivery of legal services. Program graduates receive a Paralegal Studies Associate of Applied Technology degree.

Students enrolled in the Paralegal Studies AAS degree program or Post-Baccalaureate Paralegal Studies Certificate program must complete at least 25 percent of the legal specialty courses required for award of the degree or certificate at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. In addition, each student must complete a minimum of 10 percent of legal specialty courses delivered through traditional classroom instruction. The GPTC Paralegal Studies Program will only accept legal specialty transfer credits from other ABA approved schools. The GPTC Paralegal Studies Program does not award any legal specialty transfer credit through examination or portfolios.

Paralegals shall not engage in the unauthorized practice of law as per O.C.G.A. §15-19-51 and must work under the supervision of an attorney in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia.