Associate of Science in Paralegal (AS)
This degree prepares students for entry-level employment as a paralegal/legal assistant and for the furtherance of study in the field of law through course study in legal terminology, legal research and writing, document drafting, ethics, and case preparation along with specialty paralegal courses.
Program Outcomes
- Enter the legal profession as a paralegal/legal assistant
- Perform legal research and prepare legal documents
- Apply principles of legal ethics, and recognize legal limits pertaining to the duties a paralegal can and cannot perform
Career Opportunities
Upon successful completion of this degree, students will be prepared for careers or employment in the following fields: paralegal AKA legal assistant, legal secretary, and legal document preparer.
Notes
A paralegal is not an attorney and, therefore, cannot give legal advice or represent another in court, except under very limited circumstances provided by law. Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL) is violation under California Business and Professions Code 6450-6456. This degree is not designed for transfer; however, the courses included in this degree may be transferable and apply to other degrees designed for transfer.
Program Requirements
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
GENERAL EDUCATION AND SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS | 25 | |
College of the Sequoias Associate Degree General Education (COS-GE) | ||
+ | ||
REQUIRED MAJOR COURSES | 30 | |
BUS 018 | Business Law | 4 |
BUS 184 | Business Communications | 3 |
BUS 271 | College Keyboarding Level 2 | 3 |
BUS 293 | Business English | 4 |
PARA 101 | Introduction to Paralegalism | 3 |
PARA 102 | Legal Terminology | 2 |
PARA 203 | Civil Procedures 1 | 4 |
PARA 205 | Legal Research and Writing | 4 |
PARA 210 | Legal Ethics, Management, and Interviewing | 3 |
+ | ||
RESTRICTED ELECTIVES | 7 | |
Select seven units from the following courses. Limited to only one AJ course: | ||
AJ 014 | Criminal Law 1 | 3 |
AJ 025 | Constitutional Law * | 3 |
AJ 112 | Legal Aspects of Evidence | 3 |
PARA 142 | Real Estate Law | 3 |
PARA 237 | Family Law | 3 |
SSCI 050 | Law and Democracy | 3 |
WEXP 193P | Paralegal Work Experience - 1st Semester | 1-4 |
WEXP 194P | Paralegal Work Experience - 2nd Semester | 1-4 |
+ | ||
ELECTIVES | 0-1 | |
Select additional degree applicable courses numbered 1-299 to achieve 60 units | ||
= | ||
TOTAL | 60-62 |
- *
Course(s) meet General Education requirement and 0-3 units may double count above in COS-GE.
The Associate Degree requirements include completion of the:
- Required Major and Restricted Elective courses with a minimum grade of "C" or better for each course (Required Major and Restricted Elective courses may be substituted with the approval of the Division Chair),
- General Education requirements, and
- A minimum of 60 units of degree-applicable courses numbered 001-299. At least 12 units must be taken in residence at College of the Sequoias, with a "C" (2.0) average (see Associate Degree Requirements for additional details).