The primary goal of the Paralegal Studies Program is to prepare students for positions as paralegals as a means of improving the accessibility, quality, and affordability of legal services. West Valley’s Paralegal Studies Program is responsive to the needs of the State of California and contributes to the advancement of legal professionals.
"A paralegal may perform the same functions as as attorney except those that only a licensed attorney may perform. Paralegals cannot give legal advice, appear in court, or otherwise engage in the unauthorized practice of law. The practice of law by non-attorneys is strictly prohibited by law." California Business and Professions Code Section 6450 (a)
WVC Paralegal Program List of ABA Approved General Education – Revised May 2019
Area A - Language and Rationality
ENGL 001A, 001B, 001C
MATH 000D, 000G, 001, 002, 003A/B, 004A/B/C, 008, 010, 012, 019, 106, 106R
PHIL 002, 003, 017
COMM 001, 010, 020
Area B - Natural Sciences
ANTH 001
ASTR 002, 010, 011, 014, 020, 021
BIOL 002, 010, 011, 013, 014, 018, 022, 023, 024, 036, 037, 041, 042, 045, 046, 048
CHEM 001A/B, 002, 012A/B, 030A/B
GEOG 001
GEOL 001A/B, 002B, 015, 020
OCEA 010
PSCI 010, 020, 040
PHYS 002A/B, 004A/B/C, 010
PSYC 002, 007
Area C – Humanities
ASLA 060A/B
ARTS 001A/B/D, 004, 007, 010, 012A/B, 013, 014
ENGL 005A/B, 006A/B, 007A/B, 012, 013, 018, 043, 044, 046, 047, 048, 049
FRNC 001A/B, 002A/B, 050A/B, 051A/B
GERM 001A/B, 002A/B
HUMN 001A/B, 002, 003
ITAL 001A/B, 002A/B, 050A/B, 051A/B
JPNS 001A/B, 002A/B, 050A/B, 051A/B
LATN 050A
MUSC 001, 002, 009, 010
PHIL 001, 003, 004, 005, 006, 008, 012
SPAN 001A/B, 002A/B, 003A/B, 050A/B, 051A/B
THEA 002, 010, 014A/B, 015
Area D – Social Science
Series 1
ADMJ 001
ANTH 002, 003, 004
ECON 001A/B, 010
GEOG 002, 006
HIST 004B, 012, 014, 016, 020
POLI 002, 003, 004
PSYC 001, 017, 025
SOCI 001, 045
Series 2
HIST 017B
POLI 001
Area E – Lifelong Learning and Development
COMM 004, 008
LIBR 004
PSYC 012, 025
Area F – Cultural Diversity
COMM 012
CHST 005
COUN 050
ENGL 012, 013, 018, 046
PHIL 021
PSYC 009
SOCI 020
WGQS 001
ABA Legal Specialty
At least 9 units of Legal Specialty must be taken in the synchronistic modality
PARA 018
PARA 019
PARA021
PARA 022
PARA 023
PARA 025
PARA 027
PARA 029A
PARA 029B
PARA 032
PARA 043
PARA 037
PARA 036
PARA 068
Degrees and Certificates
Degree or Certificate Program | Award Type | Requirements |
---|---|---|
Paralegal | Associate in Science Degree | 60 units |
Paralegal | Certificate of Achievement | 35 units |
The Faculty
- Stacy Hopkins