Mercer County Community College

What you'll study

This practitioner-focused programme covers core areas of civil and criminal law alongside the technical skills needed for daily paralegal work. Typical modules include:

• Legal Research and Writing – use of legal databases, statutory and case law research, citation, memo and brief drafting.
• Civil Litigation – pleadings, discovery, motion practice, trial preparation and case management.
• Contracts and Business Law – formation and interpretation of contracts, commercial transactions, basic corporate concepts.
• Real Estate and Title Examination – property law fundamentals, title searching, closing documents and recording practices.
• Family Law and Probate – divorce, child custody, estates, wills and administration procedures.
• Criminal Law and Procedure – elements of offences, pre-trial practice, plea process and sentencing considerations.
• Ethics and Professional Responsibility – rules governing paralegals, client confidentiality and limits on unauthorized practice of law.
• Practical Office Skills – file management, legal billing, client interviewing, and use of practice management software.
• Externship / Practicum – supervised placement in a law firm, corporate legal office, court or public agency to apply classroom learning to real cases.

The programme blends classroom lectures, skills labs and supervised workplace experience to develop both substantive legal knowledge and the procedural skills employers expect.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised secondary school diploma or GED-equivalent. Typical entry requirements include:

• Official high school transcript or equivalent.
• Satisfactory placement test results or completion of required developmental courses if indicated by placement screening.
• A minimum cumulative grade point average as specified by the college for diploma admission (check the college admissions office for current thresholds).
• Some applicants include a brief personal statement or resume outlining any relevant office, clerical or volunteer experience; this can strengthen an application but is not always mandatory.

Part-time study, evening and hybrid options are often available to accommodate working students. Prospective students are encouraged to meet with an academic adviser to review course sequencing and transfer possibilities.

Career prospects

Graduates commonly enter the workforce as paralegals or legal assistants in a variety of settings. Typical roles and employers include:

• Law firms handling litigation, real estate, family law, bankruptcy or corporate matters.
• In-house legal departments for corporations and non-profits, supporting contract management and compliance functions.
• Courts, government agencies and prosecutors' or public defenders' offices providing administrative and case-preparation support.
• Title companies, banks, insurance companies and real estate firms requiring document review and closing support.
• Positions in e-discovery, legal document review and litigation support services.

With experience, paralegals may specialise (for example, in immigration, bankruptcy, or estate planning), move into senior paralegal or practice-support roles, or use the diploma as a stepping stone to further legal or business study.

Why study at Mercer County Community College

Mercer County Community College offers practical, career-oriented legal training in close proximity to regional courts, law firms and government offices. Students benefit from small class sizes and instructors with legal practice experience, with coursework designed to reflect current workplace procedures and technology.

The college provides structured externships and local employer contacts that help students gain supervised, hands-on experience. Flexible scheduling and support services — including academic advising, career services and transfer planning — make the programme accessible to recent school leavers and working adults alike. The diploma also serves students who plan to continue to a four-year degree or to prepare for professional paralegal certification exams.