Legal Professional

Overview

This Certificate of Achievement prepares students for entry-level occupations in law offices of all sizes and specialties, including private law firms, government agencies, the court system, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Students pursuing the MCC Legal Professional Certificate of Achievement can fulfill elective requirements and focus on an area of concentration by selecting from one of the four below six-course Career Certificates:

• Immigration Law Specialist: The MCC Immigration Law Career Certificate prepares students for careers in non-governmental organizations, local and federal government agencies, private and public institutions and businesses. Federal regulations at 8 C.F.R. § 1292.1(a)(4) allow non-attorney “Accredited Representatives” to represent aliens before the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), which includes the immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). This career certificate is not an option for the education of paralegals.
• Legal Specialist: The MCC Legal Specialist Career Certificate prepares students for various careers in the legal community by providing a broad understanding of the legal profession through the completion of various courses focused on business law, litigation, and/or immigration law. This program provides students with an opportunity to explore multiple topical areas while still earning an award and providing a pathway toward a Certificate of Achievement and/or an Associate Degree.
• Litigation Specialist: The MCC Litigation Specialist Career Certificate prepares students for careers in law specific to litigation. Students pursuing the MCC Litigation Specialist Career Certificate learn about the roles and functions of litigation professionals who provided support to attorneys throughout the litigation process. Job functions include conducting investigations; participating in pre-trial matters through documents and functions such as pleadings, motions, evidence, discovery, hearings, and depositions; and facilitating alternative dispute resolution, settlements, trials, appeals, and other post-trial matters.
• Transactional Law Specialist: The MCC Transactional Law Specialist Career Certificate prepares students for careers in law specific to business or transactional law matters. Students pursuing the MCC Transactional Specialist Career Certificate learn about the roles and functions of transactional law professionals who provide support to attorneys to resolve disputes out of court. Job functions include researching, drafting contracts and real estate closing documents; working on matters involving deal negotiation between parties (i.e., mergers and acquisitions of companies, financing agreements, and sales of company divisions); assisting with matters of corporate governance; helping with corporate oriented work (i.e., securities filings, UCC matters, due diligence review, etc.); and otherwise assisting with matters that bring people and businesses together.

NOTE: The Legal Professional Certificate of Achievement is not an ABA approved program option and is not intended to prepare students to work as paralegals.

Degrees & Certificates Offered

Associate in Applied Science:

• Legal Studies - Paralegal (LSPAR)

Career Certificate:

• Legal Studies - Paralegal Accelerated Certificate (LSACE)