Apply Online | Local Information | Tour SMC Campus | Directory | A-Z Index | Home 

Paralegal Certificate Program

Program Overview
Currciulum and Instructors
Industry Trends

* The Paralegal Certificate Program is a non-college credit program

Latest News

SMC Paralegal Program Offering Probate Course in Spring II Session
More

Spartanburg Methodist College Paralegal Graduates Using Their Education in Many Different Fields
More

Admissions Requirements
for Paralegal Certificate Program

  • High school diploma or GED equivalency
  • College transcripts where applicable
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • $35 application fee

Cost

  • $275 per course
  • Tuition payment plan available
  • MasterCard and Visa Accepted
  • Opportunity for financial assistance

Obtain an Application Form*

Refund Policy

In the event a class is cancelled, a full refund will be given. For students who register and then decide to drop a class, the following will apply: 80% refund at the end of the first week and a 50% refund at the end of the second week. No refunds will be given after the end of the second week. Please be aware that once you register for a class you are added to the class roll. Therefore, if you drop a class after the starting date, your record will be noted accordingly: showing a balance owed even when you have not yet paid for the class.
A Drop/Add Form must be filled out when dropping a class. You can obtain this form from the Director of the Paralegal Certificate Program.

Paralegal Certification Program Overview

Every success story has a beginning. Since 1997, our Paralegal Certificate Program has been helping working adult students attain the necessary skills to advance their careers in the legal field.

SMC Paralegal Certicicate Program students

The Spartanburg Methodist College Paralegal Certificate Program is designed for beginning as well as advanced legal workers. Our staff provides personalized academic advisement. Our faculty, composed of local attorneys and paralegals, provide networking opportunities and offer real-world experience with practical application. Instruction is practice-oriented and relates to those areas of the law in which paralegals are most in demand. The program provides students with marketable job skills and will help students increase their office’s efficiency, productivity, and billable hours.

Our courses will enrich your life and fit your busy lifestyle. The SMC Paralegal Certificate Program consists of 20* courses, offered in 10 sessions, with each session lasting 10 weeks. Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m.

*Students may transfer up to 6 college course credits in related courses if they have received a “C” or better.

Paralegals provide critical and integral support to lawyers, corporations, public institutions and other employers, and they have established themselves to be an indispensable workforce within the legal system since the 1960s. While paralegals may not provide legal advice without the supervision of a lawyer, they do perform many integral tasks in the day-to-day operations of the law


Different categories of paralegals offer specialized skills. A probate paralegal may interview clients while conducting the collection, valuing and transfer of assets. A corporate paralegal working within a large corporation may help write employee benefit plans, employment handbooks, agreements, or perform patent and trademark searches, and assist in intellectual property issues. A family paralegal may have a significant role maintaining client contact and helping clients sort through legal issues. A litigation paralegal plays an important role in case management up to and including trial. Whatever the role, the paralegal provides an integral part of the legal team. SMC’s Paralegal Certiticate program offers a high quality education, providing you with the fundamental skills you need to succeed in today’s world of paralegal professionals.

Contact:
Yvonne Harper
Paralegal Program Director
Phone: (864) 587- 4278
Fax: (864) 587-4358
E-Mail: harpery@smcsc.edu