Paralegal Degree Requirements

LAW—56	INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERIZED LEGAL SOFTWARE	3
LAW—100*	INTRODUCTION TO CALIFORNIA CIVIL PROCEDURES	3
LAW—101	INTRODUCTION TO LAW	3
LAW—102*	ADVANCED CALIFORNIA CIVIL PROCEDURES	3
OR LAW 113*	FUNDAMENTALS OF ALTERNATE DISPUTE RESOLUTIONS	(3)
LAW—103*	LEGAL RESEARCH	3
LAW—111	BUSINESS LAW	3
LAW—120*	LEGAL ETHICS	3
LAW—290*	CAPSTONE COURSE	1
Total	Possible Units Attainable	22

PARALEGAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENT:

SECTION B

MUST COMPLETE 11 ADDITIONAL UNITS FROM SECTION B FOR A TOTAL OF 33 UNITS AS ARE NEEDED FOR AN AA DEGREE. TWO OF THESE COURSES MUST BE THESE LEGAL SPECIALTY COURSES MARKED BY AN ASTERISK (*.)

LAW—52	LAW OFFICE MANAGEMENT	3
LAW—57	LEGAL DOCUMENT PRODUCTION	3
LAW—65	ADVANCED LEGAL TECHNOLOGY	3
LAW—102 *	ADVANCED CALIFORNIA CIVIL PROCEDURES	3
LAW—104 *	ADVANCED LEGAL RESEARCH	3
LAW—105 *	INTRODUCTION TO FEDERAL AND CALIFORNIA EMPLOYMENT, LABOR, AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LAW	3
LAW—106 *	BANKRUPTCY LAW	3
LAW—107 *	PROBATE PROCEDURES	3
LAW—108 *	FAMILY LAW PROCEDURES	3
LAW—109 *	TORTS AND PERSONAL INJURY LAW AND PROCEDURES	3
LAW—110	BUSINESS LAW	3
LAW—112 *	ESTATE PLANNING FOR THE PARALEGAL	3
LAW—113 *	FUNDAMENTALS OF ALTERNATE DISPUTE RESOLUTIONS	3
LAW—114	LAW ON THE INTERNET	3
LAW—115 *	ELDER LAW	3
LAW—116 *	CRIMINAL LAW	3
LAW—119	LEGAL ASPECTS OF MASS COMMUNICATIONS	1
RE—125	LEGAL ASPECTS OF REAL ESTATE	3
LAW 171-174*	BUSINESS PARALEGAL OCCUPATIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE	1-4
LAW—220 *	LANDLORD AND TENANT LAW	3
LAW—230 *	CORPORATE LAW	3
LAW—260 *	IMMIGRATION LAW	3
TOTAL	REQUIREMENTS Must be 22 Units from SECTION A and 11 units from SECTION B TO EARN A total of:	33

NOTE: DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION: It is strongly recommended that all graduates who wish to be assisted with job placement through the Paralegal Department complete LAW 173 or LAW 174 Work Experience with a letter of recommendation from their employer.

General education requirements must also be completed to achieve a minimum of 60 units for an A.A. degree in Paralegal. General education courses must meet the American Bar Association requirements. No course may be taken as “Credit by Exam.”

“Paralegal” means a person who holds himself or herself out to be a paralegal, who is qualified by education, training, or work experience, who either contracts with or is employed by an attorney, law firm, corporation, government agency, or other entity, and who performs substantial legal work under the direction and supervision of an active member of the State Bar of California. A paralegal shall not provide legal advice or engage in conduct that constitutes the unauthorized practice of law. (Business & Professions Code Section 6450)

THIS PROGRAM IS APPROVED BY THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION

PARALEGAL CERTIFICATE:

A student may earn a Paralegal Certificate if the student has already completed an A.A. degree or equivalent prior to taking any courses applied to the Paralegal Certificate. Students must complete a total of 28 units. These units must include LAW 56, LAW 100, LAW 101, LAW 103, LAW 111, LAW 120, LAW 290, and the students may choose either LAW 102 or LAW 113. Any additional units needed to complete the 28 units required may be taken from Section B (from courses marked with asterisk (*.) All 28 units must be taken at Cerritos College.

Students must consult with the Paralegal or Counseling Department prior to entering the certificate program. Any Paralegal Legal courses which were taken prior to the completion of the student’s requisite A. A. degree will not be counted as part of the certificate units.

The Legal Minor does not prepare students for a career as a Paralegal. The Legal Minor is not approved by the American Bar Association

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