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Legal Studies/Paralegal
Associate Degree | 10-110-1
www.cvtc.edu | 1-800-547-2882
Program Outcomes
At the completion of this Paralegal Program, students are able to:
- Apply ethical principles in the legal environment.
- Process legal documents.
- Perform legal research.
- Apply critical thinking skills to address legal issues.
- Demonstrate professionalism in a legal environment.
American Bar Association Requirements
CVTC's Paralegal Program is one of a very select group of paralegal education programs in the United States that is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), and it is the only ABA approved paralegal education program in the Chippewa Valley. Students must take a minimum of 9-semester credits of 110 legal specialty coursework through remote synchronous instruction. Students must take Introduction to Paralegal & Legal Ethics (Fall only), Civil Litigation I (Fall only), and Legal Writing (Spring only) by remote synchronous instruction. The other required courses may be offered in an online, remote synchronous, or traditional format. Legal specialty selective classes may be offered on a rotational basis.
Program Characteristics
The primary goal of CVTC's Paralegal Program is to educate students for positions as paralegals where they may thrive professionally, demonstrating the competency and ethical standards demanded by the legal profession. Students will receive a well-rounded education founded on a practical mix of general education and legal education courses, stressing understanding and reasoning rather than rote learning of facts.
Please note that paralegals cannot give legal advice, represent clients in court, or otherwise engage in the unauthorized practice of law. The practice of law by non-attorneys is strictly prohibited by law.
Academic Advising & Student Success
Academic Advisors assist students with developing academic plans based on their degree evaluations. Their goal is to plan the right pathway to graduation by maximizing student's potential and ensuring success based on the student's previous academic experience, career path, and responsibilities outside of being student. Student Success Specialists assist students in overcoming barriers that many students encounter over their academic career. Their goal is to help students become academically successful by assisting with goal setting, interpersonal issues, success plans, and community-based referrals. More information can be found on Commons (Student Services & Support).
Academic Support
Free academic help including drop-in tutoring, test preparation, and technology support available online and face-to-face. More information is available on Commons (Student Services & Support).
Technology Requirements
Students must have regular access to a laptop/computer with reliable Wi-Fi at home/off-campus. Please check your laptop/computer to make sure that it meets the minimum recommended specifications below:
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Windows/PC |
Mac |
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Operating System: RAM: 8GB |
Operating System: RAM: 8GB |
Students with Disabilities
CVTC welcomes individuals with disabilities. We will provide and coordinate reasonable accommodations for all individuals with documented disabilities. Students that might benefit from accommodations during their college experience at CVTC can contact Diversity Resources at 715-833-6234 or diversity@cvtc.edu to determine what accommodations they may be eligible for and what documentation may be required.
Title IX Pregnancy and Postpartum
CVTC does not discriminate against any student on the basis of pregnancy or related conditions and will fully comply with Title IX regulations. Absences due to medical conditions relating to pregnancy and maternity leave will be excused for as long as deemed medically necessary by a student's medical provider, and students will be given the opportunity to make up missed work. Students are encouraged to contact Diversity Resources at 715-833-6234 or diversity@cvtc.edu to set up an appointment as soon as the pregnancy is known.
Computer Skills
To begin the program, a student must be familiar with Microsoft Office Suite and have a keyboarding speed of 35 words per minute. See additional courses section (below) for suggestions.
Technology
Coursework in this program will require use of a desktop computer or laptop (PC or Macintosh) as your primary device. Your operating system should run Windows 10 or be capable of being upgraded to Windows 10 or macOS 10.14. You also will need a reliable internet connection for use with a Webcam capable of web conferencing, a microphone, and speakers (built-in or USB headset). The cost of meeting these technology requirements may be included in financial aid consideration. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for funding options.
Pre-Program Status Students
Students who have pre-program status have been accepted into the college but not into the program. Pre-program status may be granted because the program is filled to capacity, admission requirements need to be satisfied, or the program start date is in the future. By completing these courses ahead of time, students can decrease their credit load when they reach the highly demanding core program courses and increase their success rate in the program. It is strongly recommended that pre-program students complete these courses while waiting to enroll (or before enrolling) in the core program. Students who complete these courses as pre-program students will NOT be able to finish the program early; core program courses must be taken sequentially.
These courses are typically taken by pre-program students:
- 809-122 Introduction to American Government
- 801-136 English Composition 1 or 801-219 English Composition 1
- 809-198 Introduction to Psychology or 809-159 Abnormal Psychology
- 804-189 Introductory Statistics or 806-225 Introduction to Astronomy
- 809-195 Economics or 809-128 Marriage and Family
- 801-196 Oral/Interpersonal Communication or 801-198 Speech
Additional course recommended, but not required for this program:
- 103-102 Microsoft Office Suite (for introductory word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation skills)
Degree Requirements
To graduate from the Paralegal program, a student must complete 45 credits in paralegal courses (program code 110) AND complete 18 credits in general studies with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA ("C" average). Students must take a minimum of 9-semester credits of legal specialty coursework through remote synchronous instruction. To ensure availability of required classes, students should take classes in the order noted on the program requirements sheet.
You must be accepted into the Paralegal Program or the Paralegal Diploma to register for 110 legal specialty classes. Should you possess a BS, BA or higher degree, please contact the Program Director or an academic advisor to determine if the Associate Degree Program or the Paralegal Post-Baccalaureate Diploma will best meet your needs.
Distance Learning/Internet Courses
Many of the paralegal courses are available online. However, as noted above, some of the 110 legal specialty courses are required to be taken in a remote synchronous classroom setting, that requires a scheduled log-in time. Some program courses may be available through other Wisconsin Technical colleges, at WisTechColleges.org.
Paralegal Internship
Students are required to complete a capstone course (either 110-142 Paralegal Internship or 110-143 Paralegal Field Study). Students should take one of these courses in their final semester of the program. Students should contact the Paralegal Program Director before signing up for the Internship or Field Study course. The student is required to complete 144 hours while working as an intern in a legal setting, and must only record hours at the internship site once the semester begins, not before.
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)
CPL offers CVTC students an opportunity to earn college credit toward an associate degree or technical diploma for previous knowledge and mastered skills directly related to program curriculum. Previous knowledge and skills may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military experience, and courses completed at other institutions. If a student wishes to attempt CPL for a course in progress, it is imperative that CPL is attempted within the first week of the class to be eligible for a tuition refund. More information can be found at cvtc.edu/CPL.
Transfer Credit
Students planning to transfer to a university have the option to take 200-level courses that will count toward general education requirements in the four-year degree being pursued. While some of the 100-level general education courses listed on the program sheet may meet approval for transfer, the 200-level courses are more widely accepted for transfer. To determine what courses may transfer, utilize Transferology.com. Students should also contact the college or university they are pursuing to determine exactly what the school will accept and when to seek admission. Students should maintain contact with the other institution, given that program requirements are subject to change.
Financial Aid Consideration
Courses must be part of the student’s program to be eligible although some specific courses may not be eligible for financial aid. Students must follow their program requirements to be eligible for financial aid. To be eligible for financial aid, students must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress of a 2.0 Term GPA, 2.0 Cumulative GPA, complete 67% of attempted credits each semester, and complete their program by the time 150% of the published credits have been attempted.
Last Updated: March 4, 2024 @ 15:23 p.m.
Printed: 4/27/2024 5:12 p.m.