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Home Academics Programs and Majors Paralegal Studies A.A. Degree (Part Time, Fall Start) Map

Paralegal Studies A.A. Degree

Part Time

This program roadmap represents one possible pathway to complete the program. Please see a counselor to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs. This roadmap is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.

Catalog:
2024-25
GE Pattern:
local AA/AS
Total Units:
60
Start Term:
Fall

First Year

Semester 1 (Fall)

8 Units
CAT. COURSE TITLE UNIT GE AREA
GE
ENGWR 300 / 480 H, ABA
College Composition
3
IIa
WC
GE
STAT 300 / 480 H
Introduction to Probability and Statistics
4
MC
GE
any PE activity course
1
IIIa

Semester 2 (Spring)

10 Units
CAT. COURSE TITLE UNIT GE AREA
Req
LA 300
Introduction to Law and the American Legal System
3
GE
POLS 301 / 481 H, ABA
Introduction to Government: United States
3
Va
GE
ENGWR 303 ABA
Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking Through Literature
4
IIb

Second Year

Semester 3 (Fall)

9 Units
CAT. COURSE TITLE UNIT GE AREA
Req
LA 320
Legal Research
3
Req
LA 350
Law Office Management
3
GE
COMM 325 ABA
Intercultural Communication
3
VI

Semester 4 (Spring)

9 Units
CAT. COURSE TITLE UNIT GE AREA
Req
LA 310
Civil Procedures and Litigation
3
Req
LA 321
Legal Writing
3
GE
PHIL 310 ABA
Introduction to Ethics
3
I

Third Year

Semester 5 (Fall)

6 Units
CAT. COURSE TITLE UNIT GE AREA
Req
LA 312
Torts and Personal Injury
3
GE
ANTH 300 / 480 H, ABA
Biological Anthropology
3
IV

Semester 6 (Spring)

6 Units
CAT. COURSE TITLE UNIT GE AREA
Req
LA 314
Contract Law
3
RE
LA 334
Criminal Law and Procedure
3

Fourth Year

Semester 7 (Fall)

6 Units
CAT. COURSE TITLE UNIT GE AREA
GE
ADMJ 302
Community Relations: Multicultural Issues
3
Vb
RE
LA 342
Evidence
3

Semester 8 (Spring)

6 Units
CAT. COURSE TITLE UNIT GE AREA
GE
BUS 312
Workplace Behavior and Ethics
3
IIIb
RE
LA 362
Estate Planning and Probate Procedure
3

ABA courses that meet the ABA Breadth requirements for this degree

H honors courses

Explanation of Categories
GE General Education A course that fulfills a specific general education requirement for a degree, which can be replaced with another course that meets the same requirement
Req Required Core A course that is required for this program
RE Restricted Elective A course selected from a list of elective courses specified for this program in the course list in the catalog, which can be replaced with another course from the same list

Graduation Requirement

A course that fulfills a specific graduation requirement which can be replaced by another course that meets the same graduation requirement.

MC = Math Competency
WC = Writing Competency

Career path

Career Options:

Paralegals find employment in both state and federal government as well as private practice and corporate settings.

Advising Notes:

  • Students can substitute ESLW 340 for ENGWR 300/480.

Scheduling Notes:

  • LA 300 is offered in the fall, spring, and summer.
  • LA 310, 312, 314, and 350 are offered in the fall and spring.
  • LA 320 is offered in the fall regularly, and in the spring and summer occasionally.
  • LA 321 is offered in the spring regularly, and in the fall and summer occasionally.
  • LA 330, 332, 336, and 342 are offered in the fall.
  • LA 334, 360, 362, and 365 are offered in the spring.
  • This program can be started in spring and summer as well. See a counselor to adjust the coursework.

Other Notes:

  • The American Bar Association (ABA) has specific requirements for 18 units of additional non-legal-assisting coursework (ABA Breadth). See the Legal Assisting website for more information.
  • An internship (LA 498) is highly recommended as it opens up potential employment opportunities. Students can earn between 0.5 – 4.0 units for related paid or unpaid work experience including volunteer and internship positions through LA 498. This course also works toward satisfying GE Area IIIb. See the Work Experience website for more information.

Published April 13, 2024

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