Paralegal Studies: Bilingual (English/Spanish)
Associate in Science
Career/Technical (Major Code: A2517)
This degree prepares students to be American Bar Association certified bilingual paralegals and bilingual legal assistants. The paralegal (legal assistant) works under the supervision of an attorney. Responsibilities are broad and varied including preparing and interpreting legal documents, interviewing clients, performing legal research, preparing for trial, and organizing and managing documentation. Paralegals often work with attorneys in specialized areas of law such as immigration, family law, personal injury, contracts, wills, trusts, and probate.
Program Student Learning Outcome
- Students read case law and prepare a written analysis in English and Spanish analyzing the law to the facts of the case.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Program Requirements | ||
| BUS 226 | INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION: LEGAL | 3 |
| BUS 229 | LEGAL TERMINOLOGY---BILINGUAL (ENGLISH/SPANISH) | 3 |
| LEGL 255 | INTRODUCTION TO LAW AND LEGAL TERMINOLOGY | 3 |
| LEGL 256 | INTERNATIONAL LAW FOR BUSINESS | 3 |
| LEGL 258 | LEGAL COMMUNICATIONS | 3 |
| LEGL 259 | LEGAL ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY | 1 |
| LEGL 260 | LEGAL RESEARCH | 3 |
| LEGL 261 | CIVIL LITIGATION I | 3 |
| LEGL 262 | IMMIGRATION LAW AND PROCEDURE | 3 |
| LEGL 270 | COMPUTER SKILLS FOR LEGAL PROFESSIONALS | 2.5 |
| Select 1-3 units of the following: * | 1-3 | |
| LEGAL COOPERATIVE WORK EXPERIENCE I | ||
| LEGAL COOPERATIVE WORK EXPERIENCE II | ||
| LEGAL COOPERATIVE WORK EXPERIENCE III | ||
| LEGAL COOPERATIVE WORK EXPERIENCE IV | ||
| Select 5 units of the following: | 5 | |
| LAW OFFICE MANAGEMENT | ||
| FAMILY LAW | ||
| WILLS, TRUSTS, AND ESTATES | ||
| MEDIATION, NEGOTIATION, AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT | ||
| INTERVIEWING AND INVESTIGATION FOR PARALEGALS | ||
| COMPUTER ASSISTED LEGAL RESEARCH (CALR) | ||
| CIVIL LITIGATION PROCEDURES | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY | ||
| BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS | ||
| Total Units | 33.5-35.5 | |
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended Electives | ||
| BUS 181 | SPANISH COMPUTER SKILLS FOR INTERPRETATION/TRANSLATION | 3 |
| BUS 225 | INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION: GENERAL BUSINESS | 3 |
| BUS 227 | INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION: MEDICAL | 3 |
| BUS 233 | INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION: IMMIGRATION | 3 |
| BUS 234 | ADVANCED INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION: LEGAL | 3 |
| SPAN 201 | INTERMEDIATE SPANISH I | 5 |
- *
60 or more hours of on-the-job work experience internship, paid or volunteer, are required in the LEGL 290–LEGL 293 series. Program faculty and Student Employment assist students with placements, which can consist of as few as four hours per week for students working full-time. Students who are presently employed in a law office may use their employment to fulfill their requirement. These hours must be spread over a minimum of two semesters and can include summer work. The instructor must approve the work experience for application to the program.
- **
Native speakers from a Spanish-speaking country who have finished high school or the equivalent in that country will have satisfied the Spanish language requirement. Students who have completed high school in the United States and have completed the fourth-year level of Spanish will have satisfied the Spanish language requirement.
Note: The Paralegal Studies Program prepares students to work under the supervision of an attorney in accordance with California law. A paralegal may not engage in the unauthorized practice of law by accepting cases, giving legal advice, appearing in court or setting fees for clients. To do so would be a crime in the state of California.
To earn an associate degree, additional general education and graduation requirements must be completed.