Catalog 2023-2024

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Paralegal

Associate in Science Degree

The goals and objectives of the Paralegal, AS Degree are designed to prepare the student to enter into the paralegal profession. To enhance a graduate’s ability to obtain employment, the program requires an internship in a law office environment doing paralegal level tasks. This internship aids the graduate by demonstrating to potential employers that the candidate has had practical paralegal work experience in the legal field. Examples of Paralegal employers include: Law Firms, Government Agencies, Corporate Legal Departments, Non-Profit Organizations, Financial Institutions, Insurance Companies, and Real Estate Companies. Additionally, there are a number of alternative careers for paralegal-trained individuals, including: Investigator or Hearing Officers for Federal, State, and Local Administrative Agencies, Insurance Claims Adjuster, Debt Collector, Financial Services Representative, Legal Writer, Alternative Dispute Resolution (Mediator, Arbitrator), Legal Publishing or Database Company Representative, Project Manager/Sales for legal support software vendors, Contracts Administrator, Compliance Officer in a Corporate environment, and Clerk or Administrator in the court system. Special note: Coursework may include no more than 12 units for transfer of legal specialty courses from another ABA approved paralegal program. No more than 3 units of the Administration of Justice courses may be selected as electives. A minimum of 9 units of Legal Specialty Courses must be taken in synchronistic of face to face teaching modality.

Major Core Requirements (29 units)

Course NumberCourse TitleUnits
PARA018Legal Analysis2 units
PARA019Introduction to Paralegal Studies3 units
PARA021Introduction to American Law3 units
PARA022Civil Litigation Procedures3 units
PARA022APre-trial Procedures1.5 units
PARA023Legal Research and Writing2 units
PARA024AWriting for Law Practice1.5 units
PARA025Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility1.5 units
PARA029AParalegal Employment Preparation1 unit
PARA029BParalegal Internship2 units
PARA043Law Office Management2 units
PARA065BMicrosoft Word for the Law Office3 units
PARA068Computer Assisted Legal Research1.5 units
PARA090Legal Technology2 units

Major Electives (6 units)

Course NumberCourse TitleUnits
ADMJ004Legal Aspects of Evidence3 units
ADMJ005Criminal Investigation3 units
ADMJ041Introduction to Forensics3 units
PARA027Corporate Law3 units
PARA030Business Contract Law1.5 units
PARA032Family Law3 units
PARA035APractical Procedures for Probate1.5 units
PARA036Will Drafting and Basic Estate Planning3 units
PARA037Intellectual Property Law1.5 units
PARA042Criminal Trial Techniques for the Paralegal1.5 units
PARA070Employment Law3 units
PARA076Immigration and Naturalization Law for Paralegals3 units
PARA077Elder Law for Paralegals1.5 units
PARA083CPatent Administration for Paralegals3 units

Total Major Units: 35 units

To be awarded an Associate Degree, a student must:

  1. Achieve a grade of “C” or better in the major requirements.
  2. Completion of WVC, CSU-Breadth, or IGETC General Education patterns. Students whose goal is to obtain a bachelor’s degree should complete the CSU-Breadth or IGETC General Education pattern.
  3. Complete additional units to meet the college graduation GE requirements, 18 units of which are to be from the ABA list of approved GE courses located on the Paralegal Program Page.

Upon successful completion of this program a student will be able to:

  • Apply the ethical rules and regulations applicable to paralegals and other legal professionals to given situations.
  • Conduct legal research.
  • Demonstrate the skills and knowledge needed to work in civil litigation.
  • Describe the practice of law and the paralegals role in the legal profession.
  • Demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Demonstrate an ability to do factual and legal analysis.
  • Demonstrate a proficiency with legal technology.
Last Updated 7/19/23