Paralegal Studies

A writing course designed primarily to meet the needs of students pursuing career and technical programs. Meets the written composition graduation requirement for an AHC associate's degree. Students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution will need to take ENGL 101 instead of this course to meet the university's first-year composition requirement. Readings will be drawn from the disciplines involved so that students master comprehension and critical reading skills in real-world texts. Writing assignments and projects will similarly be based upon the types of critical thinking and analytical writing required in the students' fields of study. Research methods and skills will be emphasized. 

Designed to help students enhance their analytical reading and writing skills using a wide variety of texts. Emphasizes college-level expository essay construction, communication, and research methods leading to the preparation and writing of a research paper. 

Acquire the basic knowledge needed to begin your career as a paralegal. This course provides an in-depth overview of the legal system with special emphasis on the duties and responsibilities of a paralegal.

Introduction to criminal law and procedure for the paralegal. This course includes crimes against persons, habitation, property, order, justice, and morals. Defenses to criminal activity, search and seizure, confessions, pretrial, trial, and sentencing are also covered

Choose one of the following courses:

• EMS 102, First Aid and Safety
• FSN 109, Basic Nutrition for Health
• HED 100, Health and Wellness
• HUSV 126, Meditation, Mindfulness, and Stress Reduction

Select one course from this list.

Introduction to civil litigation for the paralegal. This course is a survey of litigation, from the initial client interview to post-trial appeals. Complaint drafting, filing, service motions, answers, and discovery are covered. Settlement and trial are also included.

This course covers the sources and methods of legal research as related to cases, statutes, and secondary materials. Students will engage in objective legal writing based upon their research.

If you take any of the following courses, you will also satisfy the Multicultural/Gender Studies requirement:

ANTH 102, 103, 105; BUS 141; ECON 141; ENGL 105; GBST 141; GEOG 102, 103; LGBT 101, 102; POLS 104, 105; SOC 101, 102, 120, 122; SPCH 110

Or select one course from this list.

Choose one of the following courses:

• ES 1231, African American History
• HIST 107, U S History to 1877
• HIST 108, US History from 1877 to the Present
• HIST 118, U S History to 1877
• HIST 119, History of California
• POLS 101, Introduction to Political Science
• POLS 103, American Government

If you take any of the following courses, you will also satisfy the AHC Math Competency requirement.

Recommended courses: MATH 100, 105, 123, 135, 181, 321

Fundamental legal principles pertaining to business transactions. Introduction to the legal process. Topics include sources of law and ethics, contracts, torts, agency, criminal law, business organizations, and judicial and administrative processes.

Course focuses on law office procedures and terminology for the purpose of employment as a secretary and/or paralegal in a law office. The law office principles and management skills learned in this course may be applied to employment in any legal practice area (civil, criminal, family, probate, etc.) as well as other professional office settings.

Designed to expose paralegal students to written advocacy and discovery requests. Emphasizes persuasive writing techniques, writing for a purpose, and discovery mechanics. Students will complete substantial writing assignments.

Ethics are the standards that regulate the integrity of the legal profession. This course will improve your understanding of how paralegals are affected by ethical issues.

You will need a minimum of 9 units from this list:

Choose one course each semester it is identified on the suggested course sequence.

If you take any of the following courses, you will also satisfy the Multicultural/Gender Studies requirement:

ART 101, 105, 109, 170; DANC 101p; DRMA 103; ENGL 130, 131, 139, 140, 148; ECS 116; ES 105, 120; FASH 104; FILM 101, 102, 103, 108, 109; HIST 101, 102, 103, 120; HUM 101, 102, 103; MUS 104, 106; PHIL 121; SPAN 102, 103, 104, 105, 112

Supervised employment extending classroom-based learning to an on-the-job learning environment relating to the student's career and educational goals. In addition, these work experiences improve the student's basic work skills and professional competencies by creating career awareness, improving work habits, and fostering positive workplace attitudes.

This course is designed to help students develop the conceptual and technical skills necessary to manage cases in a law office environment. The course includes interaction with case management software, databases, and word processing.

You will need a minimum of 9 units from this list:

Choose one course each semester it is identified on the suggested course sequence.

You will need a minimum of 9 units from this list:

Choose one course each semester it is identified on the suggested course sequence.

Select one course from this list.

Select one course from this list.

Acquire the basic knowledge needed to begin your career as a paralegal. This course provides an in-depth overview of the legal system with special emphasis on the duties and responsibilities of a paralegal.

Introduction to criminal law and procedure for the paralegal. This course includes crimes against persons, habitation, property, order, justice, and morals. Defenses to criminal activity, search and seizure, confessions, pretrial, trial, and sentencing are also covered

Introduction to civil litigation for the paralegal. This course is a survey of litigation, from the initial client interview to post-trial appeals. Complaint drafting, filing, service motions, answers, and discovery are covered. Settlement and trial are also included.

This course covers the sources and methods of legal research as related to cases, statutes, and secondary materials. Students will engage in objective legal writing based upon their research.

Fundamental legal principles pertaining to business transactions. Introduction to the legal process. Topics include sources of law and ethics, contracts, torts, agency, criminal law, business organizations, and judicial and administrative processes.

Supervised employment extending classroom-based learning to an on-the-job learning environment relating to the student's career and educational goals. In addition, these work experiences improve the student's basic work skills and professional competencies by creating career awareness, improving work habits, and fostering positive workplace attitudes.

Designed to expose paralegal students to written advocacy and discovery requests. Emphasizes persuasive writing techniques, writing for a purpose, and discovery mechanics. Students will complete substantial writing assignments.

This course is designed to help students develop the conceptual and technical skills necessary to manage cases in a law office environment. The course includes interaction with case management software, databases, and word processing.

Ethics are the standards that regulate the integrity of the legal profession. This course will improve your understanding of how paralegals are affected by ethical issues.