The Paralegal Program at Greenville Technical College is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) and taught by licensed attorneys in good standing. Many of our courses are project-oriented and offer hands-on, practical experience. Assignments may include: analyzing hypotheticals; engaging in simulated litigation processes; drafting correspondence, pleadings, estate planning documents, deeds, and memoranda; examining documents; and conducting legal research.
Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL) Statement: Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public or engage in the unauthorized practice of law. Paralegals work under the supervision of a licensed attorney and are not authorized to practice law in South Carolina (S.C. Code § 40-5-310).
CPS may cover the cost of tuition, fees and books if you're enrolled in a qualifying program at GTC.
As defined by the American Bar Association, a paralegal is a person qualified by education, training or 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.
Under the direct supervision of a lawyer, a paralegal may conduct legal research, draft legal documents, communicate with clients and witnesses, interact with other legal professionals, analyze case strategy, prepare for real estate closings, gather and organize discovery, draft correspondence, and assist lawyers during trial.
Paralegal graduates may find positions in various legal environments, including:
National Outlook
Information available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a good national overview of the paralegal profession.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THE PROGRAM
ONLINE LEARNING AVAILABLE
Learning experiences for students in the Paralegal Program include in-person and remote learning. Generally, students may attend the Paralegal classes offered during the daytime in person or remotely; students attend the Paralegal classes offered in the evening remotely only. Therefore, it is possible to complete this program remotely with synchronous online courses, which include meeting days and times. Attendance is expected. Each student must complete the equivalent of at least nine credit hours of legal specialty courses through direct synchronous instruction.
This program is the only Paralegal Program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) in the Upstate of South Carolina. In fact, the Paralegal Program at Greenville Technical College has been approved by the ABA since 1987.
Additionally, the program is an institutional member of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE), a sustaining member of the South Carolina Upstate Paralegal Association (SCUPA), and a member of the Legal Staff Professionals of Greenville (LSPG).
Greenville Technical College's Paralegal Program receives guidance on current industry trends from an advisory committee comprised of private and public sector paralegals, attorneys, judges, law office managers, and other legal professionals. This impressive group of volunteers represents a variety of areas within the field, helping to ensure that program graduates are well-prepared for employment.
Professional Organizations
Greenville Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels.
Questions about the accreditation of Greenville Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling 404-679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Transferring Credits Into the Program
Official college transcripts are required if a student seeks to transfer credits to this program. Credits from non-legal specialty courses may be accepted based on the college's requirements.
Each legal specialty course submitted for transfer consideration is evaluated by the program director. The program accepts limited transfer credits of legal specialty courses from other paralegal programs, with credits earned at an accredited and ABA-approved program. Transfers are also subject to rules of currency and quality based upon an analysis by the program director, whose decision is final. Consideration of those courses will be based on adequate evidence provided to document that the course meets an appropriate level of academic rigor and compliance with ABA guidelines for paralegal education to ensure that each student completes at least nine credit hours, or the equivalent, of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.
Transferring Credits From the Program
Paralegal Program students who wish to continue their education and earn a bachelor's degree or higher may take advantage of our transfer agreements with several colleges and universities. These include Lander University, USC Upstate, and Limestone University. Be sure to check with your chosen destination college for specific information to get the most transferrable credit from the courses you choose at Greenville Technical College.
Paralegal
Associate in Applied Science
This program will train students to perform factual and legal research, conduct interviews, draft legal documents, and analyze case scenarios. The Paralegal Associate in Applied Science (AAS.LEG) requires 64 credit hours and takes about five semesters.
Students who already hold a bachelor's degree should apply for the Advanced Placement program option of the Paralegal Program (AAS.LEG.APLA). An official transcript showing the conferring of the bachelor's degree is required. After the successful transfer of at least 18 credit hours in lower level general education courses, the AAS.LEG.APLA student will complete 43 credit hours in program coursework, including 15 required courses and one elective course. Although not required, this program option for students who already hold a bachelor's degree may be completed on a fast-track within one year (three semesters).
Click the program below to view the ideal grouping of courses in order by semester. This plan assumes a full-time schedule. Note, however, that many variables can affect this plan, and not every course is offered every semester. Please see the program director or your advisor to map out your own personalized progression toward graduation.
Over 20% of the Paralegal students already hold a bachelor's degree when they begin the program.
Students who already hold a bachelor's degree should apply for the Advanced Placement program option of the Paralegal Program (AAS.LEG.APLA).
An official transcript showing the conferring of the bachelor's degree is required. After the successful transfer of at least 18 credit hours in lower level general education courses, the AAS.LEG.APLA student will complete 43 credit hours in program coursework, including 15 required courses and one elective course.
Although not required, this program option for students who already hold a bachelor's degree may be completed on a fast-track within one year (three semesters).
At this time, certification of paralegals remains voluntary in South Carolina. However, students are encouraged to seek certification, which is recognized in the legal community as representing the highest standard of excellence and professionalism. Preparation for certification is built into the program's curriculum.
Program graduates are eligible to take national certification exams, including the Certified Paralegal (CP) Exam administered through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). This national certification is recognized throughout the country. For more information about the Certified Paralegal Exam, go to www.nala.org and click on certification. Other voluntary options include the South Carolina Certified Paralegal credential through the South Carolina Bar Association and the Professional Paralegal (PP) designation through the National Association for Legal Support Professionals (NALS).
Professor
John Bell, Esq.
864-250-8053
John.Bell@gvltec.edu
Assistant Professor
Anne Jelliff, Esq.
864-250-8827
Anne.Jelliff@gvltec.edu
Administrative Coordinator
Vickie Maxwell
864-250-8491
Vickie.Maxwell@gvltec.edu