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Home Catalog Programs of Study List of Programs Legal Studies

Legal Studies

Overview

The Legal Studies program at American River College is approved by the American Bar Association. ARC’s Legal Studies program has been preparing students for entry-level positions in this profession for over 30 years.

California Business & Professions Code (B & P Code) section 6450 defines a “paralegal” as a person qualified by education, training, or work experience, who either contracts with or is employed by an attorney, law firm, corporation, governmental agency, or other entity, and who performs substantial legal work under the direction and supervision of an active member of the State Bar of California or an attorney practicing law in the federal courts.

Tasks performed by a paralegal include, but are not limited to, case planning, development, and management; legal research; interviewing clients; fact gathering and retrieving information; drafting and analyzing legal documents; collecting, compiling, and utilizing technical information to make an independent decision and recommendation to the supervising attorney; and representing clients before a state or federal administrative agency if that representation is permitted by statute, court rule, or administrative rule or regulation.

Paralegals may not provide legal advice, nor may they may provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.

NOTE: Nine (9) semester credits of legal speciality coursework must be completed through synchronous instruction.

We Offer Two Program Paths

Our Program offers both an AA in Paralegal Studies and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies. The path you take will depend upon your prior college experience. 

Students who have not yet obtained an AA degree must follow the AA path. Students who have already obtained an AA degree or higher can follow the Certificate path.

Both the American Bar Association and California law require paralegals to have general education experience in addition to legal specialty coursework. These dual paths reflect that requirement. Legal specialty coursework is the same in both paths. The only difference is that the AA path requires completion of additional general education requirements as well.

You may see an additional certificate, the "Law Office Clerical Assistant Certificate" cross-listed in our materials. Please note that the Law Office Clerical Certificate is operated by the Business Department. It is not approved by the American Bar Association and it does not prepare students to work as paralegals.

Goals and Student Learning Outcomes for the Legal Studies Program

The Program prepares students for an entry-level position as a legal assistant or paralegal, with basic substantive and procedural knowledge necessary to assist the supervising attorney in providing legal services to clients, and in full compliance with California Business and Professions Code section 6450 regarding preparation for work in this field.

  • Incorporate basic legal theories in various substantive areas of law as required by supervising attorney.
  • Define and use legal terminology accurately and appropriately.
  • Differentiate between relevant and irrelevant information and evidence.
  • Research relevant legal authority.
  • Verify the currency of relevant legal authority.
  • Draft correspondence to be sent to clients or opposing counsel and others.
  • Prepare basic legal documents for signature and submission to court by the supervising attorney.
  • Organize professional assignments efficiently.
  • Support the supervising attorney in all phases of legal practice.
  • Demonstrate ethical behavior in the legal setting.
  • Recognize acts that may constitute the unlicensed practice of law.
  • Express their thoughts effectively, both orally and in writing, with attorneys and clients.

Pre and Corequisite Considerations

Prior to enrollment in our classes, all students must have taken and passed a college composition course. This requirement may be satisfied through proof of prior coursework or evidence an AA degree or higher has been obtained. Students should be prepared to provide such proof to their instructor during Week 1 of the LA 300 Intro to Law course.

In addition, LA 300 Intro to Law must be taken during the first semester of legal studies coursework. It is a corequisite for all core classes in the program. And it is a prerequisite for all elective courses.

Finally, LA 320 Legal Research is a prerequisite for LA 321 Legal Writing. Please be sure to plan your coursework accordingly.

These prerequisites are part of the curriculum and cannot be informally waived to accommodate personal circumstances.

Transfer Credit Policy

1. Introduction. Courses transferred to American River College may fulfill requirements of general education, legal specialty courses, or non-legal specialty courses. Legal specialty courses are designed for legal assisting students and emphasize the development of practical paralegal skills. At American River College, legal specialty course are designated with a “LA” prefix.

2. Legal Specialty Courses Defined. “Legal specialty” is a term of art unique to ABA approval. In order for a paralegal course to qualify as legal specialty, it must meet all of the following elements: (1) cover substantive law or legal procedure or process; (2) be developed for paralegals; (3) emphasize practical paralegal skills; and (4) meet the instructional requirements of the ABA.

3. Transfer of Legal Specialty Coursework. A maximum of 9 credit hours of legal specialty (assigned the prefix LA) coursework may be transferred into the program from an accredited paralegal studies or legal assisting program.

4. Transfer of Non-Legal Specialty Coursework from Other Institutions. Transfer credit evaluation of general education courses and non-legal specialty courses is handled in accordance with college policies.

Degrees and Certificates Offered

  • A.A. in Paralegal Studies
  • Law Office Clerical Assistant Certificate
  • Paralegal Studies Certificate

Associate Degree

A.A. in Paralegal Studies

This degree prepares students to work in the legal field as an entry-level paralegal. It covers basic substantive and procedural areas including civil litigation, legal research and legal writing, contracts, and torts. This degree is in full compliance with California Business and Professions Code section 6450 regarding preparation for work in this field.

Students must complete 30 units of legal specialty courses, 9 of which must be completed through synchronous instruction. In addition, the American Bar Association (ABA) has specific requirements for 18 units of additional non-paralegal coursework (ABA Breadth). Students are encouraged to consult a counselor or the department chair for courses that satisfy the ABA Breadth requirements.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
LA 300 Introduction to Law and the American Legal System 3
LA 310 Civil Procedures and Litigation 3
LA 312 Torts and Personal Injury 3
LA 314 Contract Law 3
LA 320 Legal Research 3
LA 321 Legal Writing 3
LA 350 Law Office Management 3
A minimum of 9 units from the following: 9
LA 322 Advanced Legal Research and Writing (3)
LA 330 Family Law and Procedure (3)
LA 332 Administrative Law and Procedure (3)
LA 334 Criminal Law and Procedure (3)
LA 336 Immigration Law (3)
LA 342 Evidence (3)
LA 352 Legal Technology (3)
LA 360 Corporations Law (3)
LA 362 Estate Planning and Probate Procedure (3)
LA 364 Landlord Tenant Law (3)
LA 366 Basic Bankruptcy Law (3)
LA 368 Workers' Compensation Law (3)
LA 498 Work Experience in Legal Assisting (0.5 - 4)
A minimum of 18 units from the following: 18
ABA Breadth: Courses from at least three different areas of the Cal-GETC pattern, excluding performance courses.
Total Units: 48

The Paralegal Studies Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, and either (a) the Local General Education Pattern or (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC), plus sufficient electives for a total of at least 60 units. See ARC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • incorporate basic legal theories in various substantive areas of law as required by a supervising attorney.
  • define and use legal terminology accurately and appropriately.
  • differentiate between relevant and irrelevant information and evidence.
  • research relevant legal authority.
  • verify the currency of relevant legal authority.
  • draft correspondence to be sent to clients or opposing counsel and others.
  • prepare basic legal documents for signature and submission to court by the supervising attorney.
  • organize professional assignments efficiently.
  • support the supervising attorney in all phases of legal practice.
  • demonstrate ethical behavior in the legal setting.
  • recognize acts that may constitute the unlicensed practice of law.
  • express their thoughts effectively, both orally and in writing, with attorneys and clients.

Career Information

Paralegals and legal assistants are found in all types of organizations, but most work for law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies. They usually work full time, and some may have to work more than 40 hours a week to meet deadlines. About 45,800 openings for paralegals and legal assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Certificates of Achievement

Law Office Clerical Assistant Certificate

This certificate provides the skills needed for entry-level clerical positions in law offices. The course work emphasizes workforce skills including an introduction to the use of terms particular to the legal field.

This Law Office Clerical Assistant certificate is not approved by the American Bar Association and does not prepare students to work as paralegals or legal assistants under California state law.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Certificate Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
BUS 312 Workplace Behavior and Ethics 3
BUSTEC 100.1 Keyboarding Skills: Beginning (1) 1
   or BUSTEC 300.1 Keyboarding/Applications: Beginning (1)
BUSTEC 100.2 Keyboarding Skills: Intermediate (1) 1
   or BUSTEC 300.2 Keyboarding/Applications: Document Formatting (1)
BUSTEC 305 Introduction to Business Information Technology 3
BUSTEC 310 Introduction to Word/Information Processing 3
PLGL 300 Introduction to Law and the American Legal System 3
PLGL 350 Law Office Management 3
Total Units: 17

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • demonstrate keyboarding competence in the legal workplace.
  • solve common office problems using current business technology and software applications.
  • practice effective communication with law office personnel and clients.
  • apply appropriate ethical standards to the special situations encountered in a law office.
  • produce written documents in appropriate formats using typical legal office technology.

Career Information

Typical career opportunities are entry-level clerical positions in a law office. In order to earn an A.A. or a Certificate to become a Legal Assistant/Paralegal, see the Legal Studies Program requirements in the Behavior and Social Sciences Division.

Paralegal Studies Certificate

Students must possess an A.A. degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution to be eligible for the certificate. The Paralegal Studies Certificate is a one-year course of study consisting of 30 units of legal specialty courses and a minimum of 9 units must be completed through synchronous instruction. Legal courses cover basic substantive and procedural areas including civil litigation, legal research and legal writing, contracts, and torts, in addition to electives within the program. This certificate is in full compliance with California Business and Professions Code section 6450 regarding preparation for work in this field.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Certificate Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
LA 300 Introduction to Law and the American Legal System 3
LA 310 Civil Procedures and Litigation 3
LA 312 Torts and Personal Injury 3
LA 314 Contract Law 3
LA 320 Legal Research 3
LA 321 Legal Writing 3
LA 350 Law Office Management 3
A minimum of 9 units from the following: 9
LA 322 Advanced Legal Research and Writing (3)
LA 330 Family Law and Procedure (3)
LA 332 Administrative Law and Procedure (3)
LA 334 Criminal Law and Procedure (3)
LA 336 Immigration Law (3)
LA 342 Evidence (3)
LA 352 Legal Technology (3)
LA 360 Corporations Law (3)
LA 362 Estate Planning and Probate Procedure (3)
LA 364 Landlord Tenant Law (3)
LA 366 Basic Bankruptcy Law (3)
LA 368 Workers' Compensation Law (3)
LA 498 Work Experience in Legal Assisting (0.5 - 4)
Total Units: 30

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • incorporate basic legal theories in various substantive areas of law as required by a supervising attorney.
  • define and use legal terminology accurately and appropriately.
  • differentiate between relevant and irrelevant information and evidence.
  • research relevant legal authority.
  • verify the currency of relevant legal authority.
  • draft correspondence to be sent to clients or opposing counsel and others.
  • prepare basic legal documents for signature and submission to court by the supervising attorney.
  • organize professional assignments efficiently.
  • support the supervising attorney in all phases of legal practice.
  • demonstrate ethical behavior in the legal setting.
  • recognize acts that may constitute the unlicensed practice of law.
  • express their thoughts effectively, both orally and in writing, with attorneys and clients.

Career Information

Paralegals and legal assistants are found in all types of organizations, but most work for law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies. They usually work full time, and some may have to work more than 40 hours a week to meet deadlines. About 45,800 openings for paralegals and legal assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Catalog