CAREER PROGRAMS:
Major Requirements
Paralegal
2007-2008 Academic Year
Associate of Science Degree/Certificate
| Course Number | Course Name | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Para 18 | Legal Analysis | 3 |
| Para 19 | Intro to Paralegalism | 3 |
| Para 21 | Intro to American Law | 3 |
| Para 22 | Civil Litigation | 3 |
| Para 23 | Research and Writing | 3 |
| Para 24 | Advanced Research and Writing | 3 |
| Para 25 | Legal Ethics & Professional Responsibility | 1.5 |
| Para 29 | Internship (120 hours by arrangement) | 3 |
| Para 40 | Advanced Civil Litigation | 3 |
| Para 65B | Word Processing for the Law Office | 3 |
PLUS:
Select a total of twelve units from the following electives:
| Course Number | Course Name | Units | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Para 26 | Computers in the Law Office | 3 | |||
| Para 27 | Corporate Law | 3 | |||
| Para 28 | Administrative Law | 3 | |||
| Para 30 | Business Contract Laws | 3 | |||
| Para 32 | Family Law | 3 | |||
| Para 33 | Real Estate Law | 3 | |||
| Para 34 | Bankruptcy Law | 3 | |||
| Para 35 | Probate | 3 | |||
| Para 36 | Wills and Estate Planning | 3 | |||
| Para 37 | Intellectual Property | 3 | |||
| Para 38 | Constitutional Law | 3 | |||
| Para 39 | Interviewing and Investigation | 3 | |||
| Para 41 | Torts and Personal Injury | 3 | |||
| Para 42 | Criminal Trial Techniques | 3 | |||
| Para 43 | Law Office Management | 3 | |||
| Para 44 | Computerized Assisted Legal Research (LEXIS) |
3 | |||
| Para 47 | Trademark Law | 3 | |||
| Para 48 | Copyright Law | 3 | |||
| Para 49 | Securities Regulation | 3 | |||
| Para 50 | Field Experience | 3 | |||
| Para 66 | Legal Research on the Internet | 0.5 | |||
| Para 70 | Employment Law | 3 | |||
| Para 76 | Immigration and Naturalization Law for Paralegals | 3 | |||
| Para 83B | Electronic Evidence Discovery | 1 | |||
| Para 91, 92, 93 | Directed Studies | 3 | |||
| CA 46B | Presentation, Power Point | 1 | |||
| CA 62B | Beg. Spreadsheets, MS Excel | 1 | |||
| CA 81B | Beg. Database, MS Access | 1 | Para 81B | CLT: Introduction to LEXIS | 1 |
| Para 81C | CLT: Legal Drafting -- Correspondence | 1 | |||
| Para 81D | CLT: Legal Drafting /Plain Language Pleadings |
1 | |||
| Para 81E | CLT: Legal Drafting -- Persuasive Writing / | 1 | |||
| Para 83A | CLT: Evidence & Trial Preparation | 3 | |||
| Para 83C | CLT: Patent Admin. for Paralegals | 3 | |||
| Total Units: 40.5 | |||||
To be awarded an A.S. degree, a student must complete:
- All the major requirements.
- Additional units to meet the college
general education graduation requirements. (Check with Counseling.)
NOTE: The student should choose those general education requirements which may apply both toward graduation requirements of the college and toward the bachelor's degree requirements at the four-year institution to which he/she plans to transfer. Students must see a counselor or the Department Chair about the General Education courses that are approved by the American Bar Association for the Paralegal Degree and Certificate. (Paralegal general education requirements vary from the standard WVC requirements.)
In order to receive a Paralegal Certificate, a student must have a minimum of an Associate Degree.
Students seeking the Paralegal Associate's Degree are strongly urged to begin the general education requirements at the onset of their paralegal degree plan. In particular, students should complete English 1A (College Composition) at the beginning of their program. Keep in mind that 18 out of the 25 units needed to complete the general education requirements for an Associate's degrees from West Valley College must be from an A.B.A. approved list. Please see your counselor for more specific information.
| Semester | Course Name |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Para 19, Para 21, English 1A, Any Paralegal Elective |
| Second Semester | Para 18, Para 25, Para 65B, Any Paralegal Elective |
| Third Semester | Para 22, Para 23, Any 2 Paralegal Electives |
| Fourth Semester | Para 24, Para 29, Para 40, Any Paralegal Elective |
Questions about Career Programs?
Call 408.741.2098
Email Career Programs Center:cathy_aimonetti@wvmccd.cc.ca.us
Stop by room AAS 35 at West Valley College
REVISED August 1, 2007
