Paralegal Studies: AAS (CTE)

Associate of Applied Science | 63 credits

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 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 relation 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

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): FIN 1380 , MATH 1010 , OR STEM 1010

Human Relations (HR): Any Human Relations course EXCEPT ART 1150 or FA 1025

Breadth Areas: Students must complete one course from two different Breadth Areas (6 credits total)

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.

Program Electives (16 credits)

Note: All Legal Studies (LS) program elective courses must be completed with a C grade or better.

Select 16 credits from the following:

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.

Demonstrate a clear understanding of legal concepts and terminology in several substantive areas of the law. [1]
Perform professional caliber legal research and writing using legal reasoning skills in the reading and interpretation of legal materials such as statutes, court decisions and other legal documents. [2,8,9]
Analyze the procedural rules in both the civil and criminal areas of the law and the relationship between procedural rules and substantive law. [4]
Demonstrate effective oral and written communication. [5,7]
Describe the ethical responsibilities of paralegals, the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers, and the application of these rules to paralegals. [6]