Research the Law
Find, analyze, and apply legal information using professional research methods and case-tracking tools.
NIC Paralegal Program
Build the Case
for Your Future.
Prepare for meaningful work in legal environments through research, writing, litigation support, ethics, document preparation, and hands-on internship experience.
- 01Degree
- AAS
- 02Credits
- 62–63
- 03Location
- Coeur d'Alene + Online
- 04Internship
- Included
The Role
More Than Paperwork. Real Legal Work.
Paralegals are essential members of the legal team. The work is detailed, deadline-driven, and consequential.
Prepare Legal Documents
Draft correspondence, pleadings, briefs, contracts, and the supporting materials that move cases forward.
Support Litigation
Assist with civil procedure, evidence handling, case preparation, court filings, and trial support.
Work With People
Help with client interviews, fact investigation, communication, and the day-to-day organization of cases.
Career Pathways
A Practical Path Into the Legal Profession
Paralegals work alongside attorneys in law firms, courts, government offices, corporate legal departments, nonprofits, and public agencies — anywhere legal work happens.
01
Law Firms
Litigation, family law, real estate, criminal law, probate, business law.
02
Government & Courts
Court systems, public agencies, prosecutor or defender offices.
03
Corporate Legal
Compliance, contracts, records, risk, legal operations.
04
Public Service
Nonprofits, advocacy groups, community legal support.
The NIC Advantage
Built for the Legal Work Employers Actually Need
Every course is chosen for what the legal field demands: precise research, careful writing, ethical judgment, and the procedural fluency that lets paralegals run a real case file.
01Pillar
Legal Research + Writing
Students build the ability to analyze legal information and communicate clearly in professional formats.
02Pillar
Ethics + Professional Responsibility
Coursework grounds students in the ethical standards expected across the legal profession.
03Pillar
Civil + Criminal Procedure
Litigation, civil procedure, criminal law, evidence, and court processes — the architecture of casework.
04Pillar
Internship Experience
PLEG-290 Paralegal Internship I bridges the classroom and real legal workplaces before you graduate.
Curriculum
A Four-Semester Case Progression
The AAS moves from legal foundations into applied practice — finishing with research, evidence, and an internship in a real legal workplace.
- 01
Semester 1
Foundations
The vocabulary, mechanics, and tools of legal work.
- Introduction to Law
- Legal Terminology
- Legal Support
- Writing
- Office Technology
- 02
Semester 2
Ethics + Litigation
Professional responsibility and the start of civil procedure.
- Legal Ethics
- Civil Procedure & Litigation I
- Editing
- Math
- Social / Behavioral Ways of Knowing
- 03
Semester 3
Research + Criminal Law
Building the analytical core of paralegal practice.
- Legal Research & Writing I
- Criminal Law & Procedure
- Records
- Communication
- Accounting
- 04
Semester 4
Practice + Internship
Advanced research and a real legal-workplace experience.
- Legal Research & Writing II
- Legal Evidence
- Civil Procedure & Litigation II
- Office Technology
- PLEG-290 Paralegal Internship I
Course sequencing reflects the current NIC catalog. Confirm specific requirements with an advisor before enrolling.
Competencies
Graduate With a Legal Skill Set
A working catalog of the abilities NIC's Paralegal AAS develops — the same competencies employers ask for in legal job listings.
- 01
Legal Research
- 02
Legal Writing
- 03
Civil Procedure
- 04
Criminal Law
- 05
Court Filing
- 06
Legal Ethics
- 07
Document Preparation
- 08
Client Interviewing
- 09
Case Organization
- 10
Trial Preparation
- 11
Technology & Workflow
- 12
Professional Communication
Civic IdentityPrepared for Legal Work
Prepared for Legal Work
in Idaho and Beyond.
From local firms and county courts to state agencies and regional employers, legal work depends on people who can research carefully, write clearly, meet deadlines, manage documents, and support attorneys with professionalism.
- 01ResearchPillar
- 02WritingPillar
- 03ProcedurePillar
- 04InternshipPillar
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho47.6776° N · 116.7805° W
Format
Study Locally. Prepare Professionally. Learn Online.
The Paralegal AAS gives students a flexible pathway into legal support work, with options connected to NIC's Coeur d'Alene campus and online learning.
Career Starters
For Career Starters
Build a direct pathway into legal support roles in firms, courts, and agencies.
Working Adults
For Working Adults
Develop legal skills while balancing work and life — many courses available online.
Future Transfer
For Future Transfer Students
Use the AAS as a strong applied foundation before continuing your education.
Voices
Legal Careers Start With Real Stories
Spotlights from current students, interns, and graduates of the program.
Student Spotlight
Why I Chose Paralegal
A first-year student on the moment they decided legal work was the right fit.
Coming Soon
Internship Story
Inside a Legal Workplace
What a week in a local law office actually looks like for a PLEG-290 intern.
Coming Soon
Graduate Path
From NIC to the Legal Field
An alum on how the AAS translated into a real first role after graduation.
Coming Soon
Important Professional Requirement
Plan for the background check.
Because legal internships and employment may require a background check, students should understand that some results could affect internship placement or program completion. Connect with the program early if you have questions — your advisor can help you plan ahead.
Filing the next step
Ready to Enter
the Legal Field?
Start with a program built around legal research, writing, ethics, litigation support, document preparation, and internship experience.