Paralegal/Legal Assistant (Certificate T0968)
Business Division
Certificate T0968
The paralegal program is intended to prepare students for employment as paralegals in both private and public sectors following graduation. According to the American Bar Association's House of Delegates: "A paralegal is a person, qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.” Paralegals must comply with the legal restrictions in the practice of law by nonlawyers. The California Business &Professions Code, Section 6450 et seq, governs paralegals in California. This certificate requires previous completion of an associate or baccalaureate degree.
Required Courses
| Course Prefix | Course Name | Units |
|---|---|---|
| PLGL 30 | Introduction to Paralegal/Legal | 3 |
| PLGL 31 | Legal Analysis and Writing | 3 |
| PLGL 32 | Advanced Legal Analysis and Writing | 3 |
| PLGL 33 | Civil Procedure | 3 |
| PLGL 34 | Law Office Procedures | 3 |
| PLGL 35 | Law Office Technology | 3 |
| PLGL 37 | Tort Law | 3 |
| PLGL 38 | Employment and Ethical Issues in Paralegalism | 3 |
| PLGL 39 | Contract Law | 3 |
| Choose one elective from the following: | 3 | |
| Business Law | ||
| Advanced Business Law | ||
| Property Law | ||
| Family Law | ||
| Wills and Trusts | ||
| Bankruptcy Law | ||
| Criminal Law and Procedures | ||
| Evidence Law | ||
| Total Units | 30 | |
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, a student will:
- Students completing the Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate will have increased their confidence in basic paralegal skills.
- Students completing the Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate will competently prepare basic legal documents such as motions and discovery, as they would be asked to do under the direction and supervision of a licensed attorney.
- Students completing the Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate will have earned Lexis certification for paralegals.
- Students completing the Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate will have earned Westlaw certification for paralegals.
Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.
