Paralegal Certificate | Dutchess Community College

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET via SOC 23-2011.00

Skills

WritingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingTime Management

Knowledge

Law and GovernmentEnglish LanguageAdministrativeComputers and ElectronicsCustomer and Personal Service

Abilities

Written ComprehensionOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionWritten ExpressionNear VisionSpeech RecognitionSpeech ClarityProblem SensitivityDeductive ReasoningInductive Reasoning

Tasks

Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain docum
Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills,
Investigate facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records and internet
Manage attorneys' calendars and schedule meetings.
Request, review, and summarize relevant records for the cases.

Technology

Analytical or scientific softwareDocument management softwareInformation retrieval or search softwareDesktop publishing softwareCategorization or classification software

Tools

Desktop computersImage scannersLaser facsimile machinesNotebook computersOptical character recognition equipmentPersonal computersPhotocopiersScanners

Work Values

RelationshipsWorking ConditionsSupportAchievementRecognitionIndependence

Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET + BLS

Occupations matched to this program, with median wage, top wage, growth, and openings
SOC	Occupation	Method	Wage	Growth	Openings
Match confidence: medium23-2011.00	Paralegals and Legal Assistants	title_inference	$61,010 median$98,990 top	+0.16%	60

Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: developing (Level 2)(based on Certificate)

Pleadings, appeals, and real estate closing statements — prepare and edit with reduced oversight, applying learned format standards in a busy legal practice.
Legal research databases and information retrieval software — conduct targeted searches of statutes, case decisions, and legal articles to identify causes of action.
Case investigation files — compile and organize facts, public records, and source materials independently to support attorney case strategy.
Wills, contracts, and transactional documents — review and flag substantive issues for attorney review in a real estate or estate planning context.
Client meetings and professional consultations — participate and capture accurate case details, summarizing findings in written memoranda.
Trial preparation checklists — execute and coordinate exhibit organization, witness schedules, and document logistics ahead of court dates.
Document management software — maintain version control and categorization of active case files across multiple matters simultaneously.
Research data on statutes and legal decisions — analyze and synthesize into structured summaries that inform attorney recommendations.
Competing deadlines across multiple cases — prioritize and manage workload using time management tools in a mid-size law firm environment.
Routine procedural problems in filings or docket entries — identify discrepancies and resolve them by applying learned court rules and office procedures.

Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.