Certificate of Achievement (Transcripted): Paralegal

Below is a sample academic plan that shows you how you can complete your Certificate in a timely manner. Your path may look different depending on your circumstances?for example, if you attend part-time, choose to take Intersession or Summer courses, or have earned prior credit (Credit for Prior Learning, Dual Enrollment, Transfer Credit). You are required to meet with a counselor to set up a comprehensive education plan that is tailored to your individual circumstances and goals.

This American Bar Association (ABA) approved program is designed to prepare students to work as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant as defined by section 6450 of the California Business and Professions Code, who are qualified by education, 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 active member of the State Bar of California, as defined in Section 6060, or an attorney practicing law in the federal courts of this state, that has been specifically delegated by the attorney to him or her. 

This program is not designed to prepare students for the practice of law.

Upon successful completion of the program students will be able to:

1. Make ethical decisions in the workplace

  • Students will complete the Para 121 Ethics class
  • Students will incorporate ethical standards in the Law Office Management class through problem solving and discussion board discussions.

2. Understand legal concepts

  • Students will demonstrate legal concepts in the legal specialty classes through examination and practical exercises.
  • Students will draft law office memorandum and appellate briefs in the Advanced Legal writing class incorporating analysis of legal concepts.

3. Communicate effectively orally and in writing

  • Students will draft law office memorandum.
  • Students will use proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
  • Students will create client correspondence.

4. Be proficient in using legal technology

  • Students will demonstrate the use of the Microsoft suite (Word, PowerPoint and Excel) in their completion of assignments.
  • Students will complete assignments using legal specific software.

5. Have the tools necessary to obtain employment in their field of study in a timely manner.


All courses must be passed with a C grade or better with the exception of PARA 297, which is pass/no pass.

Paralegal Certificate (sac.para.ca)

Specific General Education Requirements for the Certificate:
The ABA additionally specifies that a student must complete a minimum of 18 semester units of ABA approved general education courses from at least 3 disciplines in the areas of language and composition, mathematics, social science and behavioral sciences, natural sciences, humanities and the arts. This excludes courses in kinesiology, counseling, performing arts, accounting, computer science, technical writing, business mathematics, keyboarding, and business law. Students are urged to seek counseling prior to enrollment to insure that college general education choices satisfy this requirement.

Major requirements for students seeking the certificate:

Note: Students must complete the program within 5 years or repeat any legal specialty courses which were completed more than 5 years prior to graduation. Legal specialty courses subject to these requirements are marked with an asterisk (*).

Make ethical decisions in the workplace.

Understand legal concepts.

Communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Be proficient in using legal technology.

Have the tools necessary to obtain employment in their field of study in a timely manner.

Program Map

GE General Education Course
M Major Course
E Elective Course
SI Summer/Intersession Course *
* Course is appropriate for Summer and Intersession, which are accelerated terms.

Getting Started

Comprehensive Education Plan: You are required to meet with a counselor for a comprehensive educational plan that is tailored to your individual circumstances and goals. Please schedule an appointment with a counselor in your first semester.

Important Program Information

In addition to the Paralegal Certificate requirements listed in the catalog, students must demonstrate that they have completed 18 semester units of general education as defined by the American Bar Association. Within this requirement, students must take courses in at least three disciplines, such as social sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, foreign language, and English. This plan includes 18 general education units from at least three disciplines.

 

 

 

First Semester

13 units
ENGL C1000
In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research. Formerly: ENGL 101 - Freshman Composition.
In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research. This course includes embedded support.
In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research. This is an honors course. Formerly: ENGL 101H - Honors Freshman Composition.
In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research. Formerly: ENGL 101 - Freshman Composition.
AND
Laboratory exercises are designed to explore and understand the reading process, the writing process, grammar and punctuation rules in order to successfully complete English C1000. This class must be taken concurrently with an English C100 course.
PARA 100
Law and Society
Overview of the legal system including the courts, participants and various sources of law in the American legal system and how society is affected. Review of the legal and judicial process in the United States covering the adversarial system, jurisdiction of federal and state courts, and the general process of judicial review and how different segments of society are affected. Explanation of different sources of law including statutes, court cases and administrative agency rules. Review of basic legal reasoning and introductory legal research methods. Introduction to substantive areas of law and the effect the law has in various groups and individuals in our system. Review of the role and regulation of legal professionals, legal ethics and consumer protection laws, and their effect on providing legal services to various segments of society. (Same as Law 100.)
    Plan 1: 4B. Social Science
    Plan 2: 4. Social and Behavioral Sciences
    LAW 105
    Legal Environment of Business
    Fundamental legal principles pertaining to business transactions. Introduction to the law as an instrument of social and political control in society. Topics include sources of law and ethics, contracts, torts, agency, judicial and administrative processes, employment law, forms of business organizations, and domestic and international governmental regulations. (Same as BUS 105)
      PARA 121
      Legal Ethical Reasoning
      This course provides an introduction to concepts and theories of ethical decision-making, moral conduct, obligation and permission, justice, responsibility, as applied to the Legal Profession. The course will explore the application of the California Rules of Professional Conduct as applied to the legal profession and society in general. (Same as LAW 121).

        Second Semester

        14 units
        STAT C1000 or PSYC 210
        This course is an introduction to statistical thinking and processes, including methods and concepts for discovery and decision-making using data. Topics include descriptive statistics; probability and sampling distributions; statistical inference; correlation and linear regression; analysis of variance, chi-squared, and t-tests; and application of technology for statistical analysis including the interpretation of the relevance of the statistical findings. Students apply methods and processes to applications using data from a broad range of disciplines. Formerly: MATH 219 - Statistics and Probability.
        This course is an introduction to statistical thinking and processes, including methods and concepts for discovery and decision-making using data. Topics include descriptive statistics; probability and sampling distributions; statistical inference; correlation and linear regression; analysis of variance, chi-squared, and t-tests; and application of technology for statistical analysis including the interpretation of the relevance of the statistical findings. Students apply methods and processes to applications using data from a broad range of disciplines. This course has embedded support. Formerly: Math 219S - Statistics and Probability with Support.
        This course is an introduction to statistical thinking and processes, including methods and concepts for discovery and decision-making using data. Topics include descriptive statistics; probability and sampling distributions; statistical inference; correlation and linear regression; analysis of variance, chi-squared, and t-tests; and application of technology for statistical analysis including the interpretation of the relevance of the statistical findings. Students apply methods and processes to applications using data from a broad range of disciplines. This is an honors course. Formerly: Math 219H - Honors Statistics and Probability.
        Introduces psychology and behavioral science majors to descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Knowledge of these methods is essential to the understanding, interpretation, and performance of scientific research. Topics covered include probability theory, hypothesis testing, correlation, analysis of variance, the graphical representation of data, basic research design, and the use of computer software to perform statistical analyses.
        PARA 120
        Computers in the Law Office
        Exploration of technology utilized in a legal service office environment. Study of legal focused software and applications.
          PARA 101
          Law Office Management
          Structure and procedures of the law office. Emphasis on time management, the role of paralegals and paralegal administrators in the law office, ethics in the law office, client property regulations, time keeping and billing, and technology management in a law office.
            PARA 145
            Civil Litigation Overview
            Overview of California procedures from acceptance of a case through trial. Planning litigation, motions, discovery, and trial preparation. Preparation of pleadings. Overview of California discovery rules, preparation of discovery documents, and responses.

              Third Semester

              14 units

              Schedule an appointment with a counselor by the end of your third semester to ensure that you are on track for completion and to submit your petition to graduate. 

              ENGL C1001
              Critical Thinking and Writing
              In this course, students receive instruction in critical thinking for purposes of constructing, evaluating, and composing arguments in a variety of rhetorical forms, using primarily non-fiction texts, refining writing skills and research strategies developed in ENGL C1000 College Reading and Writing (C-ID ENGL 100) or similar first-year college writing course. Formerly: ENGL 103 - Critical Thinking and Writing.
              • Prerequisite: College-level composition (ENGL C1000/ENGL C1000H/ENGLC1000E/C-ID ENGL 100) or equivalent
              Plan 1: 1B. Oral Communication and Critical Thinking
              Plan 2: 1B. Critical Thinking and Composition
              PARA 150
              Legal Transactions
              Introduction to contracts and drafting legal documents for corporations and real estate transactions. Topics include: contract formation, performance, breach, and third party interests. Students will learn the laws of the California Corporations Code and the laws governing real estate transactions. Learn how to draft various contracts and other documents and select, edit, and customize formbook and computerized forms in real property, corporations, family law, and estate planning.
                PARA 246
                Legal Research and Analysis
                Principles of legal research, legal analysis, and techniques for the Paralegal to assist an attorney in the delivery of legal services to their client.
                  PARA 105
                  Work Experience - CLIRRC
                  This work experience course of supervised employment is designed to assist students that are participating in the Community Legal Information Resource and Referral Clinic (CLIRRC) to acquire desirable work habits, attitudes and skills in a field related to the students’ major to enable them to become productive employees. This course also provides students with career awareness for jobs. 54 hours of work equals one unit of course credit. Student repetition is allowed per Title 5, section 55253. Students may earn a maximum of 14 units of credit for work experience.

                    Fourth Semester

                    13 units
                    CHOICE: SAC GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies
                    This course is an introduction to the field of Asian American Studies. A trans-disciplinary, multisectoral, and multidimensional approach will be employed to study Asian Americans' various experiences and their contributions to American society and culture utilizing the perspectives of race, nationality, class, gender, and sexuality. The course will cover historical and contemporary issues within Asian American communities, including immigration, anti-Asian violence, labor, unionization, and stereotypes.
                    This course is an introduction to the field of African/Black American Studies. A trans-disciplinary, multisectoral, and multidimensional approach will be employed to study African/Black Americans' various experiences and contributions to American society and culture. The course will cover historical and contemporary issues, including African origins, the development of African/Black American culture, the struggles of the African/Black American family, African/Black American political life, and African/Black American people's socioeconomic empowerment in the United States.
                    This course introduces the field of Chicana/Chicano/Chican@/Chicanx/Xicana/Xicano/Xicanx Studies. It is designed to acquaint students with the most significant social, political, economic, and historical aspects of the Chicana/Chicano/Chican@/Chicanx/Xicana/Xicano/Xicanx experience in the United States. A trans-disciplinary, multisectoral, and multidimensional approach will be employed to study Chicanas/Chicanos/Chican@s/Chicanxs/Xicanas/Xicanos/Xicanxs various experiences and their contributions to American society and culture. This course will critically analyze the societal context in which the Chicana/Chicano/Chican@/Chicanx/Xicana/Xicano/Xicanx have sought to maintain their culture. This course is designed to present a foundation in Chicana/Chicano/Chican@/Chicanx/Xicana/Xicano/Xicanx Studies.
                    This course analyzes the United States-Mexican border and its regions. This course dissects the geographical, historical, and artistic significance. Dialogues occur within the context of "borders" and their intersectionality of international, regional, community, intersectional, transnational, and personal contexts concerning interethnic/intercultural relations. Attention is given to the intersectionality of Native American/First People, African/Black American, Chicana/Chicano/Chicanx/Xican@/Xicana/Xicano/Xicanx, Latin Americans/Latina American/Latino American/Latinx American, and Asian American ethnic groups within mainstream U.S. society. Duplicate credit not granted for ETHN 102H.
                    This course analyzes the United States-Mexican border and its regions. This course dissects the geographical, historical, and artistic significance. Dialogues occur in the context of "borders" and their intersectionality of international, regional, community, intersectional, transnational, and personal contexts concerning interethnic/intercultural relations. Attention is given to the intersectionality of Native American/First People, African/Black American, Chicana/Chicano/Chicanx/Chican@/Xicana/Xicano/Xicanx, Latin American/Latina American/Latino American/Latinx American, and Asian American ethnic groups within mainstream U.S. society. Duplicate credit not granted for ETHN 102.
                    This course serves to broaden the ethnic and racial perspectives of students interested in American culture and society. A trans-disciplinary, multisectoral, and multidimensional approach will be employed to study the social, cultural, political, and economic aspects of four ethnic groups -- Native/First People Americans, African/Black Americans, Chicana/Chicano/Chican@/Chicanx/Xicana/Xicano/Xicanx/Latin/Latina /Latino/Latine/Latinx Americans, and Asian Americans. Emphasis is placed on these groups' historical and contemporary relationships with each other and the rest of American society—Duplicate credit not granted for ETHN 150H.
                    This course serves to broaden the ethnic and racial perspectives of students interested in American culture and society. A trans-disciplinary, multisectoral, and multidimensional approach will be employed to study the social, cultural, political, and economic aspects of four ethnic groups — Native/First People Americans, African/Black Americans, Chicana/Chicano/Chican@/Chicanx/Xicana/Xicano/Xicanx/Latin/Latina /Latino/Latine/Latinx Americans, and Asian Americans. Emphasis is placed on these groups' historical and contemporary relationships with each other and the rest of American society—Duplicate credit not granted for ETHN 150.
                    PARA 146
                    Tort Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution
                    Learn about the different types of Torts including: intentional torts, negligence, strict liability, product liability, damages, immunity, and defenses to torts. Learn how to apply principles of insurance law and procedures for the investigation of personal injury cases. Students will review the principles of dispute resolution through negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. Students will mediate impartially and use tools to maximize negotiation effectiveness. The course includes application of mediation skills in the law office.
                      PARA 248
                      Advanced Research and Writing
                      Advanced projects in legal research and writing with an emphasis on legal structure and style. Students must pass Para 246 with a C or better prior to taking Para 248.
                      • Prerequisite: PARA 246
                      PARA 297
                      The Professional Paralegal
                      This is the capstone class to the Paralegal associate degree and certificate. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of ethics, legal principles, and the technical skills necessary for entry level employment as a paralegal. This course is to be taken in the semester of or prior to graduation. This course will include preparation of graduation petitions, professional resumes and a professional portfolio that will include work prepared in PARA 101, PARA 121, PARA 120, PARA 145 and PARA 150. Students will be required to certify they are in the second to last or last semester prior to graduation.
                        PARA 299
                        Work Experience - Paralegal
                        This work experience course of supervised employment is designed to assist students to acquire desirable work habits, attitudes and skills in a field related to the students’ major so as to enable them to become productive employees in the paralegal profession. This course also provides students with career awareness for jobs. 54 hours of work equals one unit of course credit. Student repetition is allowed per Title 5, section 55253. Students may earn a maximum of 14 units of credit for work experience