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.

Program Requirements
LEGL 255INTRODUCTION TO LAW AND LEGAL TERMINOLOGY3
LEGL 258LEGAL COMMUNICATIONS3
LEGL 259LEGAL ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY1
LEGL 260LEGAL RESEARCH3
LEGL 261CIVIL LITIGATION I3
LEGL 268COMPUTER ASSISTED LEGAL RESEARCH (CALR)2
LEGL 270COMPUTER SKILLS FOR LEGAL PROFESSIONALS2.5
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 Units32.5-34.5
*

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.