Paralegal Studies A.A.S.

Overview

Your due diligence for success

Prepare for a career as a paralegal or legal assistant with Nashville State’s Paralegal Studies Associate of Applied Science degree program. Gain the skills for career success with a foundation in ethics, critical thinking, and solid general legal knowledge.

What is a paralegal?

"A professional, qualified by education, training, and work experience, who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible."
– American Bar Association
**Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.

As a paralegal trained at Nashville State Community College you will be qualified to:

Work under the direction of a supervising lawyer.
Perform legal research using the most recent technology.
Draft complicated legal documents.
Assist in trial preparation, conduct client and witness interviews.
Manage large qualities of electronically stored information.
Analyze complex legal cases all while maintaining high ethical standards.

Why Nashville State Community College?

Approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), Standing Committee on Paralegals (Approved Commission).
Adheres to the highest standards for paralegal education and performance.
Students receive comprehensive instruction in Legal Research, Legal Writing, Ethics and Professionalism, Technology in the Law Office, Civil Litigation, Criminal Law, Family Law, Torts, Property Law, along with other legal specialty courses and general education.
150 hours of a legal internship providing real-world paralegal experience.
Certificates from Westlaw in Legal Research and NSLT in Technology in the Law Office.
Option to receive certification in Relativity and eDiscovery.

Students will benefit from:

Small class sizes for individual attention.
Legal speciality courses taught by licensed lawyers in that particular practice.
The option to obtain a degree at night without any interruption to their work schedule.
Program completion in two years or less.

It is estimated that demand for paralegals will grow by 19% in Tennessee by 2026.

View Digital Brochure

Student Testimonials

"The paralegal program at Nashville State has prepared me to be successful in any field of law. I did my internship with the Nashville Public Defender's Office and was amazed at how prepared I was."
– Anthony Hicks, U.S. Army Veteran, Paralegal Studies '20

The staff, professors, and advisors are dedicated to helping students achieve their scholastic goals and guide them through the process. It was very motivating knowing the school was committed to seeing me succeed."
– Anthony Hicks, U.S. Army Veteran, Paralegal Studies '20

Advising Sheets

Paralegal Studies A.A.S. Degree

2022-23 Advising Sheet

2021-22 Advising Sheet

2020-21 Advising Sheet

2019-20 Advising Sheet

2018-19 Advising Sheet

2017-18 Advising Sheet

2016-17 Advising Sheet

2015-16 Advising Sheet

*Students must take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.

Transfer

Paralegal Transfer Credit Policy for the Paralegal Studies AAS Degree

Paralegal-specific courses successfully completed by the student are evaluated by the program coordinator as to the college level, earned grade, NSCC equivalent, method of delivery, and accreditation of the prior college. There are limitations on the class rubric and the number of hours that may be transferred to the Paralegal Studies program. There are 36 credit hours of paralegal-specific classes in the AAS Degree Option. Only nine credit hours may be transferred into the program from ABA-approved programs. These may be transferred into the program if the above criteria are met.

Accreditation

American Bar Association Approved

The Nashville State Paralegal Program is approved by the American Bar Association, Standing Committee on Paralegals (Approval Commission).

The Paralegal Studies program holds Institutional Membership in the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE).

Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.