About the Program

The Paralegal Studies program at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). After completing the program, students earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. Here are the courses for the program: https://www.nvcc.edu/catalog/cat2021/academics/programs/Home/Advising?prog_id=3600&subprog_id=0

Enrollment/Admissions/Tuition

You will find information about enrollment and admissions here: http://www.nvcc.edu/admissions/index.html.  In addition, information about tuition is here: http://www.nvcc.edu/tuition/index.html.   As part of the enrollment and admissions process, students must furnish copies of their official transcripts to the Student Services department at the Alexandria Campus. At that time, a Counselor will explain which of the courses taken at a previous college or university will transfer.

Prior Degrees Earned

Generally, individuals with a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution will have all general education requirements satisfied, which means they only need to take the legal specialty (LGL) courses.

Required Courses and Sequencing Plan

To be eligible to receive the AAS degree in Paralegal Studies, students must complete 25 percent (17 credits) of their coursework at NOVA.

In addition, ABA guidelines regulate the number of courses accepted through transfer. At least 50 percent of the legal specialty (LGL) courses must be completed at NOVA and 9 of those credits must be taken in the traditional (face-to-face) or synchronous remote (Zoom) format. Courses are offered in the following formats: face-to-face, Zoom, hybrid, and online. Courses taught in the hybrid format include both classroom meetings and significant online work. For ABA purposes, courses taught via Zoom are treated the same as courses taught face-to-face.

Students must complete 100-level courses before 200-level courses. Further, students must complete Introduction to Law and the Paralegal (LGL 110) in the first semester. In addition, Legal Research is a prerequisite for Legal Writing; therefore, students may not take these courses during the same semester. Students should meet with a program advisor at least once per semester.

Registration Deadlines

Registration for the spring semester is ongoing and that semester begins on January 16, 2024.

Students who register online must do so before 11:59 p.m. on the day before the session begins. The schedule of classes is here: https://www.nvcc.edu/schedule/index.html.

You will find additional information about the Paralegal Studies program here: https://blogs.nvcc.edu/allegal/frequently-asked-questions-faq/.

Paralegals are prohibited by law from offering legal services directly to members of the public.

https://www.americanbar.org/groups/paralegals/