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 Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| PARA018 | Legal Analysis | 2 units |
| PARA019 | Introduction to Paralegal Studies | 3 units |
| PARA021 | Introduction to American Law | 3 units |
| PARA022 | Civil Litigation Procedures | 3 units |
| PARA022A | Pre-trial Procedures | 1.5 units |
| PARA023 | Legal Research and Writing | 2 units |
| PARA024A | Writing for Law Practice | 1.5 units |
| PARA025 | Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility | 1.5 units |
| PARA029A | Paralegal Employment Preparation | 1 unit |
| PARA029B | Paralegal Internship | 2 units |
| PARA043 | Law Office Management | 2 units |
| PARA065B | Microsoft Word for the Law Office | 3 units |
| PARA068 | Computer Assisted Legal Research | 1.5 units |
| PARA090 | Legal Technology | 2 units |
Major Electives (6 units)
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ADMJ004 | Legal Aspects of Evidence | 3 units |
| ADMJ005 | Criminal Investigation | 3 units |
| ADMJ041 | Introduction to Forensics | 3 units |
| PARA027 | Corporate Law | 3 units |
| PARA030 | Business Contract Law | 1.5 units |
| PARA032 | Family Law | 3 units |
| PARA035A | Practical Procedures for Probate | 1.5 units |
| PARA036 | Will Drafting and Basic Estate Planning | 3 units |
| PARA037 | Intellectual Property Law | 1.5 units |
| PARA042 | Criminal Trial Techniques for the Paralegal | 1.5 units |
| PARA070 | Employment Law | 3 units |
| PARA076 | Immigration and Naturalization Law for Paralegals | 3 units |
| PARA077 | Elder Law for Paralegals | 1.5 units |
| PARA083C | Patent Administration for Paralegals | 3 units |
Total Major Units: 35 units
To be awarded an Associate Degree, a student must:
- Achieve a grade of “C” or better in the major requirements.
- 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.
- Complete additional degree applicable units to meet the minimum 60-unit Associate Degree requirements.