Paralegal Studies
Certificate of Achievement
Career/Technical (Major Code: A2518)
The goal of the Paralegal Studies Program is to prepare students for employment in the legal field as paralegals, and this program is offered for paralegal education. The paralegal works under the supervision of an attorney. Responsibilities are broad and varied including understanding procedural and substantive law; applying strong written and oral communication skills; engaging in critical thinking; identifying legal ethical issues; preparing legal documents in both transactional and litigation cases; interviewing clients; locating, analyzing, citing, and effectively using legal authority; 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
- Student’s read case law and prepare a written analysis of the law to the facts of the case.
Gainful Employment
The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges to disclose a variety of information for any financial aid eligible program that “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.”
Students who complete this program will have acquired the necessary analytical tools to successfully secure gainful employment in the field of study.
For more information regarding the data provided for this program and what it means to you as a student, please feel free to visit our SWC Gainful Employment website at: http://www.swccd.edu/gainfulemployment.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Program Requirements | ||
| LEGL 255 | INTRODUCTION TO LAW AND LEGAL TERMINOLOGY | 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 268 | COMPUTER ASSISTED LEGAL RESEARCH (CALR) | 2 |
| 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 11 units from the following courses: | 11 | |
| LAW OFFICE MANAGEMENT | ||
| INTERNATIONAL LAW FOR BUSINESS | ||
| IMMIGRATION LAW AND PROCEDURE | ||
| FAMILY LAW | ||
| WILLS, TRUSTS, AND ESTATES | ||
| MEDIATION, NEGOTIATION, AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT | ||
| INTERVIEWING AND INVESTIGATION FOR PARALEGALS | ||
| CIVIL LITIGATION PROCEDURES | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY | ||
| BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS | ||
| Select 3 units from the following courses: | 3 | |
| CONCEPTS OF CRIMINAL LAW | ||
| LEGAL ASPECTS OF EVIDENCE | ||
| JUVENILE LAW AND PROCEDURES | ||
| BUSINESS LAW/THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT OF BUSINESS | ||
| LEGAL ASPECTS OF REAL ESTATE | ||
| Total Units | 32.5-34.5 | |
- *
60 or more hours of on-the-job work experience internship, paid or volunteer, are required in LEGL 290.
Program faculty and Student Employment Services 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 this requirement. These hours may include summer work. The instructor must approve the work experience for application to the program.
Note: The certificate of achievement is awarded only to students who possess an associate or higher degree in any major prior to completing the paralegal program.
Note: Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law. 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, giving legal advice, or appearing in court. To do so would be a crime in the state of California.