Paralegal Curriculum Requirement
(Total 60 Units)
The Associates in Science degree in paralegal studies is designed to prepare students for positions as paralegals in the legal and business fields. Individuals who are already employed in the legal field and seeking advancement opportunities may also select this program of study.
The paralegal degree program is an intensive program of study. Extensive writing, research, and critical thinking skills are required in all of the law courses in this degree program. ENG 101 and Legal 100a/b are foundation courses in the program. It is recommended that ENG 101 be completed with a grade of "C" or better prior to enrolling in LEGL 100a/b. Completion of or con-current enrollment in Legal 100a/b is required prior to enrolling in other legal courses. Non-majors who are currently employed in the legal field and want to enroll in a course for professional development should contact the paralegal program director for assistance.
Recommended Course Sequence for Associate of Science
YEAR 1 – First Semester
| CRS# | COURSE | UNITS |
|---|---|---|
| Legl 100A/B | Introduction to Paralegalism / Legal Procedures | 3 units |
| Legl 115 or 120 | Litigation or Torts | 3 units |
| Gen Ed 000 | General Education | 3 units |
| Gen Ed 000 | General Education | 3 units |
| Gen Ed 000 | General Education | 3 units |
| 15 units | ||
YEAR 1 – Second Semester
| CRS# | COURSE | UNITS |
|---|---|---|
| Legl 115 or 120 | Litigation or Torts Law | 3 units |
| Legl 105 | Legal Research | 3 units |
| Legl 000 | Legal Specialty Elective | 3 units |
| Gen Ed 000 | General Education | 3 units |
| Gen Ed 000 | General Education | 3 units |
| 15 units | ||
YEAR 2 – First Semester
| CRS# | COURSE | UNITS |
|---|---|---|
| Legl 180 | Contracts | 3 units |
| Legl 110 | Legal Communications | 3 units |
| Legl 000 | Legal Specialty Elective | 3 units |
| GenEd 000 | General Education | 3 units |
| GenEd 000 | General Education | 3 units |
| 15 units | ||
YEAR 2 – Second Semester
| CRS# | COURSE | UNITS |
|---|---|---|
| Legl 000 | Legal Specialty Elective | 3 units |
| Legl 000 | Legal Specialty Elective | 3 units |
| GenEd 000 | General Education | 3 units |
| GenEd 000 | General Education | 3 units |
| GenEd 000 | General Education | 3 units |
| 15 units | ||
Major = 30 units (18 core, 12 electives)
General Education = 30 units
Semester Offerings of Paralegal Courses
| Frequency of Core Offerings | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course | Fall | Spring | Summer | |||
| AM | PM | AM | PM | AM | PM | |
| LEGL 100A Introduction to Paralegalism | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| LEGL 100B Legal Procedures | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| LEGL 105 Legal Research | 1 | 1 | ||||
| LEGL 110 Legal Writing & Communications | 1 | 1 | ||||
| LEGL 115 Civil Litigation - Procedures | 1 | 1 | ||||
| LEGL 120 Tort Law | 1 | 1 | ||||
| LEGL 180 Contract Law | 1 | 1 | ||||
| LEGL 000 Specialty Electives | 5 | 5 | 1 | |||
| Total Classes per Semester | 11 | 12 | 4 | |||