Legal Studies
The Legal Studies Program at Mount Wachusett Community College provides students with three distinct opportunities: to earn a Paralegal Certificate (LAWC), an Associate of Science in Legal Studies (LAW) for immediate career entry, or to graduate and transfer to a baccalaureate program through the Liberal Arts and Sciences Pre-Law Track (LAWT). During the course of study, students will develop competencies in substantive and procedural law, excellent communication skills, and the ability to think analytically and logically.
Legal Studies Degree (LAW)
This degree prepares students for a paralegal position in a legal setting, such as a law office, courthouse, administrative agency, corporate in-house counsel office, or insurance company. Students will learn to gather and analyze facts relevant to legal disputes, perform legal research, draft legal documents, and prepare witnesses and evidence for presentation at legal proceedings. An effective paralegal must have a firm grasp of both substantive and procedural law, excellent communication skills, and the ability to think analytically and logically. This program provides the student with the skills necessary to perform specifically delegated, substantive legal work under the supervision of a lawyer.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| LAW 101 | Introduction To Law (Formerly PLS 101) | 3 |
| LAW 104 | Introduction To Family Law (Formerly PLS 104) | 3 |
| ENG 101 | College Writing I | 3 |
| HIS 121 | History Of The Constitution | 3 |
| BUS 211 | Business Law I | 3 |
| Spring | ||
| ENG 102 | College Writing II | 3 |
| MAT 143 | Statistics | 3 |
| LAW 110 | Litigation (Formerly PLS 110) | 3 |
| LAW 250 | Legal Research and Writing I (Formerly PLS 250) | 4 |
| General Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| LAW 262 | Estate Planning (Formerly PLS 262) (or General Elective) 1 | 3 |
| POL 211 | Introduction to American Government and Politics | 3 |
| Health Elective 2 | 2-4 | |
| Restrictive Electives (see list below) | 3 | |
| General Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| LAW 106 | Introduction To Real Estate Law (Formerly PLS 106) | 3 |
| LAW 270 | Legal Studies Seminar (Formerly PLS 270) | 3 |
| SPC 113 | Speech (formerly THE113) | 3 |
| Science Elective 3 | 3-4 | |
| Restrictive Elective (see list below) | 3 | |
| Total Credits: | 60-63 | |
- 1
General Electives: See General Electives exceptions.
- 2
Health Electives: See Elective Courses by Abbreviation.
- 3
Science Electives: See Elective Courses by Abbreviation. A four-credit lab science is strongly recommended for transfer.
Restrictive Electives
| Credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| LAW (any course) | ||
| ACC 101 | Principles Of Accounting I | 3 |
| ACC 102 | Principles Of Accounting II | 3 |
| ACC 224 | Taxation | 3 |
| BUS 212 | Business Law II | 3 |
| CIS 121 | Spreadsheet Applications | 3 |
| CIS 123 | Microcomputer Database Management | 3 |
| CJU 133 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| CJU 134 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| ECO 101 | Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ECO 102 | Microeconomics | 3 |
| ENG 106 | Technical Writing | 3 |
| ENG 239 | Creative Writing I | 3 |
| ENG 240 | Creative Writing II | 3 |
| HIS 121 | History Of The Constitution | 3 |
| MKT 142 | Marketing | 3 |
| POL 250 | Political Thought In America | 3 |
| PSY 246 | Psychology And The Law | 3 |
See Legal Studies program student learning outcomes and technical standards.
Student Success Tips
Students enrolling in the Paralegal Practicum must contact the program coordinator for approval and available options by calling 978-630-9359.
Transfer Options
For transfer options, please click here. It is recommended that you also consult with your academic advisor.
Special Requirements
Technical standards must be met with or without accommodations.
Career Options/Earning Potential
For career options, please click here.
Pre-Law Track (LAWT)
A Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences
LAWT is designed for those students seeking to transfer to a four-year institution in a pre-law curriculum. This track of study is most appropriate for a student desiring to enter law school after earning a bachelor's degree. Strong research, writing and analytical skills, along with substantive legal knowledge, are essential outcomes for students completing this field of study.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| LAW 101 | Introduction To Law (Formerly PLS 101) | 3 |
| BUS 211 | Business Law I | 3 |
| ENG 101 | College Writing I | 3 |
| LAW 104 | Introduction To Family Law (Formerly PLS 104) | 3 |
| HIS 121 | History Of The Constitution | 3 |
| Spring | ||
| Lab Science Elective 1 | 4 | |
| LAW 110 | Litigation (Formerly PLS 110) | 3 |
| LAW 250 | Legal Research and Writing I (Formerly PLS 250) | 4 |
| MAT 143 | Statistics | 3 |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CJU 134 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| ENG 102 | College Writing II | 3 |
| Lab Science Elective 1 | 4 | |
| Behavioral Social Science Elective 2 | 3 | |
| PHL 250 | Moral Philosophy | 3 |
| Spring | ||
| PHL 110 | Logic | 3 |
| Literature Elective (see list below) | 3 | |
| HIS 105 | History Of World Civilization I | 3 |
| SPC 113 | Speech (formerly THE113) | 3 |
| POL 211 | Introduction to American Government and Politics | 3 |
| Total Credits: | 60 | |
- 1
Lab Science Electives (must be a 4-credit course): See Elective Courses by Abbreviation.
- 2
Behavioral Social Science Electives: See Elective Courses by Abbreviation.
Literature Electives
| Credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| ENG 203 | Twentieth Century American Authors | 3 |
| ENG 205 | Shakespeare | 3 |
| ENG 213 | American Literature I | 3 |
| ENG 214 | American Literature II | 3 |
| ENG 221 | Women's Literature | 3 |
| ENG 224 | Mystery Fiction | 3 |
| ENG 233 | Science Fiction | 3 |
| ENG 235 | Children's Literature | 3 |
| ENG 236 | Modern Drama | 3 |
| ENG 237 | Queer Voices in Literature | 3 |
| ENG 252 | Shakespeare and Star Wars: A Study of Tragedy through Drama and Film | 3 |
| ENG 261 | The Short Story | 3 |
See Legal Studies program student learning outcomes and technical standards.
Transfer Options
For transfer options, please click here. It is recommended that you also consult with your academic advisor.
Special Requirements
Technical standards must be met with or without accommodations.
Paralegal Certificate (LAWC)
Students will learn the fundamental skills necessary for an entry-level position in a legal setting such as a law office, courthouse, administrative agency, corporate in-house counsel office, or insurance company. This certificate introduces students to the paralegal field, to several areas of substantive law, and to the basics of legal analysis and research.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENG 101 | College Writing I | 3 |
| BUS 211 | Business Law I | 3 |
| HIS 121 | History Of The Constitution | 3 |
| LAW 101 | Introduction To Law (Formerly PLS 101) | 3 |
| LAW 104 | Introduction To Family Law (Formerly PLS 104) | 3 |
| Spring | ||
| Restrictive Electives (see list below) | 6 | |
| LAW 110 | Litigation (Formerly PLS 110) | 3 |
| LAW 250 | Legal Research and Writing I (Formerly PLS 250) | 4 |
| Total Credits: | 28 | |
Restrictive Electives
| Credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| LAW (any course) | ||
| ACC 101 | Principles Of Accounting I | 3 |
| ACC 102 | Principles Of Accounting II | 3 |
| ACC 224 | Taxation | 3 |
| BUS 212 | Business Law II | 3 |
| CIS 121 | Spreadsheet Applications | 3 |
| CIS 123 | Microcomputer Database Management | 3 |
| CJU 133 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| CJU 134 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| ECO 101 | Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ECO 102 | Microeconomics | 3 |
| ENG 106 | Technical Writing | 3 |
| ENG 239 | Creative Writing I | 3 |
| ENG 240 | Creative Writing II | 3 |
| HIS 121 | History Of The Constitution | 3 |
| MKT 142 | Marketing | 3 |
| POL 250 | Political Thought In America | 3 |
| PSY 246 | Psychology And The Law | 3 |
See Legal Studies program student learning outcomes and technical standards.
Student Success Tips
Students enrolling in the Paralegal Practicum must contact the program coordinator for approval and available options by calling 978-630-9359.
Special Requirements
Technical standards must be met with or without accommodations.
Career Options/Earning Potential
Program Student Learning Outcomes for LAW, LAWT and LAWC
Upon graduation from this program, students shall have the ability to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of substantive and procedural legal principles.
- Perform legal analysis, research, and writing.
- Develop effective communication skills (oral and written).
- Use computer technology as it applies to law.
- Exhibit administrative and employment skills applicable in a law office setting.
- Perform pre-trial tasks including interviewing, client intake, basic investigation, and drafting of pre-trial discovery.
- Draft basic legal documents such as wills, mortgages, and leases.
Technical Standards1 for LAWC, LAW and LAWC
- 1
For general information about technical standards and accommodation, see Technical Standards.
Students entering into this program must be able to demonstrate the ability to:
- Comprehend textbook material at the 11th grade level.
- Communicate and assimilate information verbally and in a printed format.
- Gather, analyze, and draw conclusions from data.
- Complete forms using a typewriter or similar office machine.
- Input data into a computer.
- Comprehend data from a computer screen, transcribe notes (dictation), and conduct library and Internet research for a minimum of a three-hour period of time.
LAW 101. Introduction To Law (Formerly PLS 101). 3 Credits.
This course introduces students to basic legal concepts, principles, and procedures. It is designed to provide students with an understanding of the structure of the U.S. legal system, including the role of the judicial, legislative, and executive branches; the history of law in the United States; the role of attorneys, paralegals, law enforcement, and other legal professionals; basic categories of law; litigation principles; and alternative dispute resolution. In addition, students will be introduced to a wide variety of ethical standards that apply in the legal community. Prerequisites: ENG 098, FYE 101, RDG 098, or placement.
LAW 104. Introduction To Family Law (Formerly PLS 104). 3 Credits.
This course reviews the substantive and procedural law relative to divorce, adoption, guardianship, custody, and other family law matters within the jurisdiction of the Probate Court. Topics include the legal status of children, legal rights of women, and illegitimacy and paternity proceedings, as well as divorce procedures and child custody and support issues. Students will be introduced to contract law as its principles are specifically applied to ante nuptial agreements, separation agreements, and surrogacy agreements. Related areas of law such as juvenile, criminal, and tort law are also discussed, as are relevant administrative agency regulations. Legal concepts will be applied to particular factual situations, thus developing and enhancing critical skills such as analysis. Prerequisites: ENG 098, FYE 101, RDG 098, or placement.
LAW 106. Introduction To Real Estate Law (Formerly PLS 106). 3 Credits.
This course familiarizes students with the substantive area of real estate and property law. Fundamental legal principles are discussed in the context of business practices in the real estate industry. Topics include purchase and sales agreements, mortgages, leases, recording, easements, and deeds. The traditional law of property rights is discussed as well as recent developments in statutory and case law. Prerequisites: ENG 098, FYE 101, RDG 098, or placement.
LAW 110. Litigation (Formerly PLS 110). 3 Credits.
This course introduces students to the law office and the steps and tasks involved in civil litigation, the process in which one person sues another person in a court of law to enforce a right or seek a remedy such as financial compensation. Students will learn the role of the litigation paralegal throughout an entire case. This includes investigation and gathering of facts, discovery, trial support, and judgment enforcement. Study will be made of the procedural rules that facilitate the fair resolution of conflicts and the substantive law that forms the basis of the rights and remedies protected by the civil litigation system. Prerequisites: ENG 098, FYE 101, RDG 098, or placement.
LAW 230. The Law Of Torts (Formerly PLS 230). 3 Credits.
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of torts law and civil wrongs that have caused harm to person or property. Specific causes of action, elements of torts, and prima facie cases are discussed in the context of the three categories of torts: routine personal injury; high-stakes personal injury; and mass latent-injury. An emphasis will be placed on the development of analytical skills and the application of legal concepts to particular factual situations. Prerequisites: ENG 098, FYE 101, RDG 098, or placement.
LAW 250. Legal Research and Writing I (Formerly PLS 250). 4 Credits.
This course introduces students to the basics of legal research and writing. Students will learn how to analyze a problem, develop a research strategy, access information using primary and secondary sources, and draft legal documents. A functional approach to research is stressed and emphasis is placed on development of the skills necessary to find and understand case law, statutes, administrative regulations, and constitutional law. Students will be introduced to both the computer-aided research, including the Internet and CD systems, and book-based research. Prerequisite: ENG 101.
LAW 262. Estate Planning (Formerly PLS 262). 3 Credits.
This course is an introduction to wills, trusts, and estates. Topics include intestacy, estate administration, estate taxes, and the use of wills and trusts to plan disposition of one's estate. The probate process including the probating of a will, contested proceedings, and administration of an estate is studied. Students will draft associated legal documents such as wills and specialized trusts. Prerequisites: ENG 098, FYE 101, RDG 098, or placement.
LAW 265. Paralegal Practicum (Formerly PLS 265). 3 Credits.
Students will be placed in paralegal work environments such as private law firms, courthouses, state and local government agencies, or state and municipal government offices depending on their area of interest. In exchange for credit, students will complete a 120-hour practicum. Students will participate in a variety of activities normally associated with paralegal employment in the specific field chosen by the student. This typically includes obtaining client intake information, performing litigation support, conducting legal research, and preparing legal documents such as mortgages and deeds. Prerequisites: ENG 101, LAW 250 or permission of division dean.
LAW 270. Legal Studies Seminar (Formerly PLS 270). 3 Credits.
This course is structured to help students integrate knowledge from across the legal studies curriculum in preparation for the transition to working as paralegals or continuing their legal education. Students will integrate and apply knowledge related to substantive and procedural legal topics from an interdisciplinary perspective. Students will integrate and apply knowledge, theory, and understanding developed from their previous coursework in the legal studies program. Students will complete at least one major research and writing project that will require at least one oral class presentation. Prerequisites: BUS 211, ENG 102, LAW 101, LAW 104, LAW 110, LAW 250.