Legal Assisting AAS
The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Legal Assisting was planned in accordance with the American Bar Association and the American Association for Paralegal Education guidelines. A legal assistant is a highly skilled paraprofessional with specialized training who works under the direct supervision of an attorney.
Job responsibilities require knowledge of law and legal procedures in rendering direct assistance to lawyers and clients and include such tasks as client interviewing, case investigation, preparation of pleadings, and conduct of legal research. The complexity of legal concepts and procedures requires a demanding curriculum.
- Associate of Applied Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Online Program
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Program Learning Outcomes
- Describe the structure and function of the federal and state court systems, and the roles of legal professionals within them.
- Conduct legal research using traditional and electronic resources, and draft legal documents such as memoranda, pleadings, contracts, and correspondence.
- Explain and apply key principles of civil, criminal, contract, tort, family, and property law, including procedural rules.
- Identify and apply ethical standards relevant to legal assistants, including confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and the unauthorized practice of law.
- Exhibit strong written and verbal communication skills tailored to legal audiences, clients, and court systems.
- Analyze legal issues and apply problem-solving strategies to assist in case development and decision-making.
- Describe how cultural, social, and economic diversity affect legal processes and client representation.
To be eligible for admission into this program, students must meet the general requirements for admission to New River Community and Technical College.
For more information on this program, contact Gerald Hough at ghough@newriver.edu or 304-883-2434.
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Graduates are qualified to accept positions as a paralegal, legal assistant, legal secretary, court clerk and more.
Students entering the program are expected to demonstrate aptitude in keyboarding through eligibility for placement in ADOF 111 or ADOF 112.