The paralegal profession continues to be one of the fastest growing professions in the United States. COC's Paralegal Studies

curriculum prepares students for positions as paralegals in order to improve the accessibility, quality, and affordability of legal

services The Paralegal Studies program goals are to ensure that students who successfully complete the Paralegal Studies

Program by obtaining an associate degree have a broad-based understanding of the American legal system and the role of the

paralegal in that legal system; the legal theoretical background needed to perform paralegal tasks in substantive areas of law and

legal specialties; the knowledge of procedural law emphasizing the paralegal’s role in litigation, mediation, and arbitration; the skills

in areas including investigation, legal research, conducting an interview, and written and oral communications; ethically serve the

public and the legal system; and the tools needed to become contributing members of the legal profession. Successful paralegals

have excellent organizational skills and the ability to perform complex, detailed work quickly and accurately, as well as the ability to

work well under pressure. Examples of tasks commonly delegated to paralegals include performing legal and public records

research, obtaining and organizing evidence, interviewing clients and witnesses, conducting legal research, and drafting legal docu....