Paralegal Studies: AAS (CTE)

Associate of Applied Science | 64 credits minimum

Program Website
Academic Advising

Program Description
This program is designed for those considering employment as a paralegal, who wish to update their professional development, or for those already in the field. A paralegal is a person qualified through education, training, and work experience, who under the direction and supervision of an attorney performs delegated legal work for the attorney or law firm, which the attorney otherwise would perform. Although a paralegal is not licensed to practice law, he or she completes tasks traditionally performed by an attorney, with the exceptions of giving legal advice, independently representing clients, and any other unauthorized practice of law. The Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies has been reviewed and approved by the American Bar Association. General Education requirements and elective courses provide training in effective oral and written communication, and human relations skills. Various courses are taught using group and team activities in the learning process to develop the student’s interactive skills and to build human values and ethics.

Career Opportunities
Employment as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant

Salaries for Paralegals in Utah
The median annual wage for paralegals and legal assistants in Utah is $59,200. Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 38,000 openings for paralegals and legal assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Paralegals and Legal Assistants, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm

Estimated Cost for Students
Tuition and student fees: http://www.slcc.edu/student/financial/tuition-fees.aspx
Course fees: $240

Note: Fees vary based upon specific registration and are subject to changes.

Specialized Accreditation
The American Bar Association does not offer accreditation, instead the ABA offer status as an approved program. This AAS degree has been approved by the American Bar Association.

General Education Requirements

Complete all General Education courses. Refer to Notes for program specific requirements and recommendations.

Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) General Education Requirements

Program General Education Notes

REQUIRED:

Quantitative Studies (QS): MATH 1010

Communication (CM): COMM 1020

Program Requirements

Required Courses (30 Credits)

Note

*Courses with an asterisk (*) must be completed with a B- or better. All other required Courses must be completed with a C or better.

**It is highly recommended that students take LS 1010 & LS 1030 before LS 1040.

***Three credits of LS 2000 Legal Studies Co-op can be used to meet the required course requirement. Up to six credits of additional LS 2000 can be used to fulfill elective course requirements. However, a single three credit LS 2000 class cannot be used to meet both required and elective credit. Students may complete one 6-hour co-op and split the credits between the two categories.

Please note, at least 75% of Courses in the Required section must be completed at SLCC or from a Paralegal Studies program approved by the American Bar Association. All transfer credit will be at the discretion of LS faculty.

Elective Courses (15 credits)

Select from the following:

LS 1500 - Contracts
LS 1510 - Bankruptcy and Collections
LS 1520 - Wills, Probate and Estates
LS 1530 - Environmental Law
LS 1540 - Immigration Law and Procedure
LS 1550 - Family Law
LS 1560 - Constitutional Law
LS 1570 - Torts
LS 1580 - Hollywood and the Law
LS 1590 - Business Organizations
LS 2000 - Legal Studies CO-OP
LS 2010 - Paralegal Practicum
LS 2050 - Legal Environment of Business (cross-listed with MGT 2050 )
LS 2100 - Certification Preparation for Paralegals
LS 2990 - Special Studies
HS 1100 - Medical Terminology
MGT 2080 - Employment Law
Note: All Legal Studies (LS) elective courses must be completed with a C grade or better in the Paralegal Studies AAS Degree.

Time to Completion & Graduation Map

Paralegal Studies AAS: Full-time
If students follow the suggested full-time sample schedule, completion time is four semesters.

Program Learning Outcomes

Program learning outcome alignment with Student Learning Outcomes in brackets.

Interview clients and witnesses and appropriately interact with clients. Comply with the litigation process. Use traditional and electronic resources to conduct legal research. Draft Legal Documents. Understand basic substantive and procedural legal principles. [1]
Communicate effectively orally. Communicate effectively in writing. [2]
Perform Appropriate Calculations. [3]
Extract relevant data from complex information, process it appropriately, and draw reasonable conclusions. [4]
Strive for excellence by developing a strong work ethic and consciously doing their best. Developing competence in ethical and moral reasoning relating to legal environments. [6]
Recognize potential ethical issues in the practice of the law and apply appropriate rules of professional responsibility. [7]
Use contemporary computer hardware and software to effectively complete college-level assignments. Gather and analyze information using technology, library resources and other modalities. Understand the purpose and basic navigation of legal software commonly used by paralegals. [8,9]