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What The Paralegal Studies Program At NCC Offers You
The Paralegal Studies associate degree program at Northwest Career College is outlined to help you develop both the technical and interpersonal skills that make legal work precise and effective. Our instructors guide you through civil and criminal law, legal research and writing, contracts, family law, wills and trusts, and courtroom procedures, including hands-on practice drafting legal documents, using Westlaw, and participating in mock trials and courtroom field trips.
The training leads to a supervised externship at a law firm or government agency in Las Vegas. This is where you apply what you learned in class, work with experienced attorneys and paralegals, and take part in daily case-related tasks. Many students admit this experience helps them feel confident and prepared for their first job.
The paralegal studies course also prepares you thoroughly for entry-level roles in law firms, government offices, and corporate legal departments, ensuring you are ready to meet the expectations employers value most. Throughout the program, our Career Services team works with you one-on-one. You receive support with resume writing, interview preparation, and job placement. Graduates of this program are now working in law firms, government agencies, and legal support roles across Nevada.
Sources
- *1 According to the Median Annual Salary Report for Paralegals at the BLS.
- *2 Find the detailed definitions of the Job Placement Rate and Retention Rate on our Annual Outcomes Data page.
Paralegal Studies Program Accreditation
NCC is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Their contact information is listed below for applicants who wish to request additional information regarding the program’s accreditation.
"I was just really proud."
"I guess at the very beginning of my program I wasn't 100% about myself. But, by graduation, I was just really proud. I enjoyed learning about the law the most."
Why Should You Enroll In The Paralegal Studies
Program At NCC?
Hands-On Legal Skills Development
You will gain practical experience in legal research, writing, and drafting documents, including pleadings, correspondence, and case-related filings, using professional tools such as Westlaw. This hands-on approach ensures you build the core competencies that employers look for.
Real-World Externship Experience
The program includes an externship at law firms and government agencies, allowing you to apply your skills to actual cases under the supervision of an experienced attorney. This externship exposes you to court settings, client interactions, and everyday legal office operations.
Lessons From Experienced Legal Professional
Our courses are led by attorneys and seasoned legal professionals who bring real-world experience into the classroom. Their professional insights will help you understand how legal procedures, ethics, and communication work in practice, not just in theory.
Flexible Learning Options
The program offers you the flexibility to take classes in a blended format, including online and in-campus night classes, to fit your schedule and other commitments. This structure makes it easier to complete your legal studies training without compromising your personal dependencies.
Strong Employment Preparation
NCC’s dedicated Career Services team is committed to providing lifetime support to graduates for entry-level to mid-level roles in law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, and other legal offices. Our support includes resume building, interview preparation, job research, application submissions, and employer networking to make you job-ready for your paralegal career.
Career-Ready Training Program
Our Paralegal course is organized to be completed in 18 months, giving you a clear path into the legal field without delaying your entry into the workforce. The program’s curriculum focused on the skills and knowledge you need to start working as a paralegal.
Who Hires Northwest Career College Graduates?
Leading law firms, government agencies, and legal support organizations—especially in Nevada—consistently hire our Paralegal Studies graduates.
What You Will Learn As A Paralegal Studies Student At NCC
Step into paralegal roles with ethics and ops. You will manage cases, research, and documents for legal teams.
- Docketing & calendaring
- Drafting legal memoranda & correspondence
- File management & organization
- Law office operations & case management
- Legal ethics & professional conduct
- Legal research & database search
Explore courts, laws, and drafting basics. You will prepare documents across key practice areas.
- Alternative dispute resolution (ADR)
- Drafting basic legal documents
- Federal & state court systems
- Legal writing & formatting
- Sources of American law
- Trial & appellate processes
Uncover cases, statutes, and issues effectively. You will analyze and write professional legal memos.
- Case briefing & legal analysis
- Case law, statutes & code research
- Issue spotting & problem-solving
- Legal memorandum writing
- Primary vs. secondary legal sources
- Statutory & constitutional interpretation
Spot and apply ethical rules in practice. You will resolve dilemmas with critical analysis.
- Applying ethical standards
- Classifying ethical problems
- Identifying ethical issues
- Legal analysis & critical thinking
- Professional communication
- Researching professional conduct rules
Assess deals for validity and breaches. You will evaluate remedies and spot issues.
- Agreement analysis
- Breach of contract
- Contract formation
- Contract remedies
- Damages analysis
- UCC research
Guide cases from intake to resolution. You will draft pleadings and handle discovery.
- Case investigation & development
- Civil litigation process
- Client & witness interviewing
- Discovery methods
- Drafting legal documents (complaints, discovery)
- Rules of civil procedure
Define crimes and justice procedures. You will support the analysis of constitutional rights.
- Constitutional rights (Bill of Rights)
- Criminal case analysis
- Criminal justice process
- Criminal law principles
- Elements of crimes
- Legal research in criminal law
Handle digital evidence in litigation. You will manage ESI lifecycles and review tools.
- Case flow analysis
- Data collection & review
- Digital evidence identification
- E-discovery process (ESI lifecycle)
- Legal terminology in eDiscovery
- Paralegal Role in eDiscovery
Resolve disputes outside court effectively. You will master negotiation and mediation techniques.
- ADR methods (negotiation, mediation, arbitration)
- Dispute resolution strategies
- Ethical considerations
- Mediation process
- Negotiation techniques
- Roles in ADR settings
Navigate divorce, custody, and support cases. You will draft docs and interview clients.
- Child support calculations
- Custody & support
- Divorce & annulment procedures
- Family law terminology
- Legal drafting
- Property division
Prepare wills, trusts, and probate docs. You will gather client information for estate administration.
- Advance directives & powers of attorney
- Drafting a valid will
- Estate administration
- Estate planning fundamentals
- Legal document portfolio development
- Wills, trusts & estate terminology
Apply skills in live legal environments. You will enhance communication and professionalism.
- Networking & career development
- Problem-solving
- Professional adaptability
- Professionalism & work ethic
- Team collaboration
- Workplace communication
Paralegal Career Opportunities
Tuition Information
| Cost per Term (1-6) | $4,665.00 |
More Information about the Profession
- For information about Financial Aid at Northwest Career College, please visit our Financial Aid page located under Admission & Aid tab.
- For more information about the Paralegal profession (SOC 23-2011.00) Click Here to review the Summary Report for Paralegal at O*Net Online.
Paralegal Studies Program Requirements
The primary requirements for enrollment in the Paralegal Studies program are:
High School Completion
Hands-on training starts on your first day! Learn to use industry-standard techniques like legal research and document drafting, enhance your professional communication and case management skills, and more!
U.S. Government-Issued Photo ID
We need a U.S. government-issued photo ID to verify your identity. You must be at least 18 years old. Written consent from a parent or guardian is needed to enroll if you’re under 18.
Social Security Card
Provide your Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number (TIN) to confirm eligibility to study and work in the U.S.
Find The Best Paralegal Studies Program For You In Clark County
A paralegal is a trained professional who supports lawyers and attorneys by performing legal research, drafting documents, organizing case files, and managing client communications, while bridging office operations and strategic tasks to keep legal practices efficient. They work in law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, and other legal offices, handling responsibilities such as resume-ready skills in documentation, compliance, and client interaction.
Paralegals in the USA earn between $39,970 and $61,010 annually for entry-level to mid-level positions. Experienced professionals can earn $98,990 or more, depending on location, specializations, and employer. In Nevada, paralegals earn from $21,320 to $67,200 per year for entry to mid-level roles, while experienced or senior positions offer $98,400 to $111,000, influenced by metro areas like Carson City.
No, you don’t need a degree to become a paralegal, since Nevada has no mandatory licensure or certification requirements. However, employers prefer candidates with formal education, most commonly an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Earning a formal degree also increases your competitiveness and helps you better fit the job market.
To become a paralegal in Las Vegas, complete high school or earn your GED, pursue a paralegal certificate or an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree from an accredited institution, along with an externship.
NCC’s 18-month Paralegal Studies associate degree provides hands-on training in legal research, document drafting, case management, as well as court and jail visits. Our Career Services department supports you with resume building, interview preparation, job searching, applications, and employer networking to help you start an entry-level career in law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, and legal offices.
It takes 4 months to 4 years to become a paralegal, depending on the educational path, such as a Paralegal Certificate takes 4 to 6 months, an Associate Degree in Paralegal takes 18 months to 2 years, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal takes 4 years. Northwest Career College’s Paralegal Studies associate degree program is the fastest option, completable in just 18 months through blended coursework, hands-on labs, mock trials, and a clinical externship, preparing you for immediate entry-level roles with lifetime Career Services support.
No, a legal assistant and paralegal are not exactly the same: paralegals focus on substantive legal work like research, drafting documents, and case analysis under attorney supervision, while legal assistants handle more administrative tasks such as scheduling, filing, and office support, though the terms "paralegal and legal assistant" are often used interchangeably in job postings and practice.
