California law defines a "Paralegal" as a person who either contracts with or is employed by an attorney, law firm, corporation, governmental agency, or other entity and who performs substantial legal work under the direction and supervision of an attorney. Paralegals provide important support to attorneys, law firms, corporations, governmental agencies, and other entities by performing an array of legal tasks. Tasks include, but are not limited to case planning, legal research, interviewing clients, fact gathering and retrieving information, drafting and analyzing legal documents; collecting, compiling, and utilizing technical information to make an independent decision and recommendation to the supervising attorney. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.
This Professional Certificate Program Provides:
- An ABA Approved Program.
- Real-world exposure to the legal field.
- An understanding of the legal system.
- Substantive and procedural legal knowledge along with practical applications.
Additional Details
Program Course Schedule
Required Courses (21 units)
- LAW X455.6 - Fundamentals of Paralegal Studies (F/Sp) - 3 units
- LAW X403 - Case Management (W) - 2 units
- LAW X421 - Civil Litigation (W/Su) - 3 units
- LAW X402.2 - Ethics for Paralegals (F/Sp) - 1 unit
- LAW X417.3 - Legal Research, Writing & Analysis I (W/Su) - 4 units
- LAW X417.4 - Legal Research, Writing & Analysis II (F/Sp) - 4 units
- LAW X424 - E-Discover & Legal Technologies (W/Su) - 3 units
- LAW X455.9 - Paralegal Studies Capstone Course (F/W/Sp/Su) - 1 unit
Elective Options (at least 15 units)
- LAW X422 - Aging & the Law (Su) - 3 units
- LAW X455.7 - Contract Law (F) - 3 units
- LAW X419 - Criminal Law (F) - 3 units
- LAW X423 - Employment Law (Sp) - 3 units
- LAW X409 - Juvenile Law (W) - 3 units
- LAW X406 - Paralegal Internship (F/W/Sp/Su) - 3 units
- LAW X455.3 - Real Estate Law (W) - 3 units
- LAW X420 - Wills & Trusts I (F/W) - 3 units
- LAW X455.4 - Wills & Trusts II (Su) - 3 units
Courses are offered across 4 academic quarters: fall, winter, spring and summer. For more information visit Approved Academic Calendar.
Requirements
To qualify for admission to the program, students must have completed a minimum of 55 quarter units (37 semesters) in general education courses taken as part of a bachelor's degree objective at an accredited college or university.
Program Cost
The approximate cost of completion of this program is $4,950. Individual course fees are paid upon enrollment. Estimated costs are subject to change and do not include fees for course materials. The program requirements are defined in the Program Course Schedule. For more information visit our Help Center.
