Paralegal Degrees Offered at Mountain Empire Community College
Mountain Empire Community College appears in our ranking of the 50 Most Affordable Online Paralegal Degree Programs.
Mountain Empire Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies and a Legal Office Assisting Certificate. The associate degree in paralegal studies is intended to prepare students to work in legal settings and courses are available on-campus or online. The program provides instruction in the general aspects of American law and the know-how and abilities to carry out certain legal tasks under the supervision of an attorney. The program also prepares students to take the Certified Paralegal Examination. A total of 67 credits are needed to complete the degree program. The core courses include Introduction to Law and the Legal Assistant, Business Law, Legal Terminology, Ethics for the Paralegal, Real Estate Law, Family Law, Legal Research and Writing, Trial Preparation and Discovery Practice, Criminal Law, U.S. Government, Legal Office Procedures, Legal Transactions, and Human Relations. Students must also complete a coordinated internship component. The program learning outcomes include: demonstration of effective oral and written communication abilities using appropriate legal terminology and formatting; conduct basic legal research and evaluation to recognize legal issues and potential solutions; use strong organizational skills to organize and manage manual and electronic information; application of writing principles and rules of English grammar to complete writing tasks such as preparation of legal documents; show competent comprehension of computer literacy and proficiency; ability to apply ethical and professional values that dictate paralegal conduct, including unauthorized practice of law, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, handling funds from clients, and office decorum; and incorporation of proper abilities to work well with others.
The Legal Office Assisting Certificate is intended to prepare students for entry-level jobs in legal office settings. This certificate is a milestone for those pursuing the associate degree in paralegal studies. Students acquire basic abilities in word processing, ethics, telephone reception, and professionalism. The program features general education courses and specialized legal courses. The core courses include: Introduction to Law and the Legal Assistant, Legal Terminology, Ethics for the Paralegal, Word Processing, Telephone Techniques, Real Estate Law, Family Law, Customer Service, Business Law, and College Composition. The program learning outcomes include: demonstration of effective oral and written communication abilities using appropriate legal terminology and formatting; possessing strong organizational abilities to maintain manual and electronic information; application of professional and ethical principles that dictate paralegal conduct, such as unauthorized practice of law, confidentiality, conflict of interest, and office decorum; and incorporation of appropriate abilities to effectively work with other individuals.
About Mountain Empire Community College
Mountain Empire Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year institution of higher learning residing in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. It is a part of the Virginia Community College System. It was established in 1972 and the first classes were offered in the fall of that year. Dr. George B. Vaughan was the first president. Today, Mountain Empire Community College is home to nearly 3,000 students. It mainly serves students from the Wise, Scott, Dickenson, and Lee Counties as well as the city of Norton. It operates on the semester-based academic calendar.
Mountain Empire Community College strives to provide high quality and accessible education, workforce training, and community programs to help students succeed in a competitive economy. It is committed to effectively preparing students for meaningful careers or advanced education opportunities. The mission is fulfilled through general education, career and technical education, transfer education, developmental studies, dual enrollment, distance education, workforce development, and community services. The college also aspires recognition as a leader in preparing educated workers in the community. The values include community and cultural preservation, creativity and innovation, diversity, inclusion and trust, leadership and service, learning, student success, and teamwork and communication.
Mountain Empire Community College is dedicated to offering a variety of academic programs and training options to establish a better career and future for students. It offers degrees and certificates in health professions and related programs, liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities, business, management, and marketing. Two-year associate, one-year certificates, and short career studies certificates are available.
The faculty and staff are committed to the success of students. The student to faculty ratio is 24 to one.
Mountain Empire Community College Accreditation Details
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges regionally accredits Mountain Empire Community College to grant associate degrees and certificate programs.
Mountain Empire Community College Application Requirements
Mountain Empire Community College features an open admissions policy where all applicants gain admission to the school. Students must submit the following materials to apply to Mountain Empire Community College:
- Virginia Community College System Online Application
- Official high school transcript
- Official transcripts from previously attended postsecondary schools
- Additional requirements for specific programs
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition
- In-state students: $157 per credit
- Contract students: $238 per credit
- Out-of-state students excluding E-rate: $354.60 per credit
- Out-of-state students E-rate: $257 per credit
Financial Aid
Mountain Empire Community College strives to help students pay for their higher education. Available financial aid options include scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study.
Scholarships
- AIMS Higher Scholarship
- Presidential Honor Scholarships
- Mary Marshall Nursing Scholarship
- Restricted Scholarships
Grants
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- Commonwealth Grant
- VCCS Grant
- Great Expectations Program
- Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program
- Part-Time Tuition Assistance Program
Loans
- Federal Subsidized Direct Loan
- Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan
- Federal PLUS Loan
Federal Work Study
The Federal Work-Study, commonly abbreviated FWS, is a federally funded program that provides part-time employment to students who show financial need. Students are able to earn money to help pay for education costs. The program typically encourages community service work and jobs related to a student’s program of study. Students are paid an hourly rate that varies by each situation, but at least the current federal minimum wage.
A degree in legal studies provides students with a solid understanding of American law and legal concepts and procedures. The paralegal degrees offered by Mountain Empire Community College effectively prepare students for a variety of careers in the fast-paced field, such as paralegals, legal assistants, abstractors, title examiners, and legal secretaries.
