Paralegal Technology

American Bar Association Approved Programs

To become ABA approved, a program must meet strict requirements, demonstrating excellence in education and training. The following Central Piedmont Paralegal Technology options are ABA approved:

• Associates of Applied Science (AAS) Degree in Paralegal Technology is designed for students who have a high school diploma or its equivalency. This degree is also designed for students who may have completed some college or hold an associate’s degree but have not completed a bachelor’s degree.
• The Post-Bac Diploma is designed exclusively for students who already have at least a bachelor’s degree.

For detailed information on courses, eligibility, and requirements, visit the Central Piedmont Community College catalog.

Career and College Promise

The Career and College Promise Certificate is not an ABA approved program but is designed specifically for students who are dual enrolled. Students in this program are given a direct pathway to enrollment in the associate’s degree (AAS) option.

For more information on dual enrollment, please visit Dual Enrollment | Central Piedmont.

General Education Courses

You may qualify for transfer credit for general education courses like Public Speaking, Introduction to Computers, or Social Science electives.

A Central Piedmont transcript analyst can review your transcripts to see if previous courses match program requirements. To request this, send your transcripts to the record department and ask for a transcript evaluation.

Transfer credit rules:

• Your school must be regionally accredited.
• You must have earned a “C” or higher.
• Courses must be equivalent or similar to Central Piedmont’s required courses 

If you plan to transfer to a four-year college after completing your program, visit the Transfer Resource Center.

Legal Education Courses (LEX) Transfer Credit Policy

If you want to transfer to LEX courses, contact your faculty advisor. These requests are reviewed individually by the program chair. The number of transferable credits will depend upon whether your school is ABA approved.

Important notes:

• Maximum credits accepted:
• 6 (lex) credit hours from non-ABA–approved schools
• 9 (lex) credit hours from ABA–approved programs
• Additionally, students must complete at least 50% of legal specialty courses at Central Piedmont.
• No credit is given for past paralegal work experience, but you can earn LEX elective credit through Work-Based Learning if you are working in a paralegal-related job.

If you want to transfer to LEX courses, contact your faculty advisor. These requests are reviewed individually by the program chair. The number of transferable credits will depend upon whether your school is ABA approved.

Important notes:

• Maximum credits accepted:
  • 6 (lex) credit hours from non-ABA–approved schools
  • 9 (lex) credit hours from ABA–approved programs
• Additionally, students must complete at least 50% of legal specialty courses at Central Piedmont.
• No credit is given for past paralegal work experience, but you can earn LEX elective credit through Work-Based Learning if you are working in a paralegal-related job.

Central Piedmont’s paralegal program offers courses in multiple formats to fit students’ needs, including traditional, hybrid/blended, and some asynchronous classes. This program cannot be completed online. To meet American Bar Association (ABA) requirements, students must complete at least nine semester credits of legal specialty courses in a traditional classroom setting.

In-person classes and labs for the paralegal technology program are held on the Central Campus and are offered both day and evening. It is possible to complete the program by taking entirely day or evening courses.

You may be able to get help paying for school. Scholarships for paralegal students include: 

• Judith N. and James W. Allison Endowed Scholarship
• Judith and James Allison/Johnston Allison & Hord Endowed Scholarship
• Sonja T. Hutchins Memorial Endowed Scholarship
• Victoria Bowler Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Paralegals help lawyers by researching, writing, and talking with clients. They help keep legal work organized and on track.

Key Responsibilities

• Legal research: Paralegals research laws to help lawyers build strong arguments.
• Drafting documents: Paralegals draft documents like contracts, affidavits, pleadings, and court filings.
• Case management: Paralegals organize case files, track deadlines, and manage evidence and exhibits.
• Client communication: Paralegals talk with clients to gather information and provide updates.
• Trial preparation: Paralegals help lawyers get ready by preparing documents and organizing materials.
• Administrative tasks: Paralegals handle office duties like filing, billing, and scheduling.

Note that paralegals cannot provide services directly to the public except as permitted by law.

Paralegals work in many places, including:

• private law firms
• government agencies
• banks and insurance companies
• large corporations
• nonprofits and more

For information about paralegal salaries, please visit Central Piedmont's Career Coach.