Certificate of Achievement (Transcripted): Pathway to Law School

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.

Any student with a goal to enter law school should complete the Pathway to Law School program.  This program is recognized as part of the California State Bar and California Community College State Chancellor’s office initiative “Pathway to Law School.”

Students interested in a career in law should also complete their Associate's Degree in an academic major leading to transfer to a four-year institution.  The Pathway to Law School certificate provides students with an opportunity to major in the subject of their choice while improving their abilities in areas that are associated with success in law school and the practice of law.  

Participation in this program does not guarantee admission to any participating university or law school.

Understand the requirements to successfully enroll in Law School

Understand career opportunities in the legal profession.

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.

First Semester

16 units

Important Program Information: If you already possess a Bachelor's degree or Associate's degree for Transfer, please meet with a counselor to discuss possible course substitutions.

ENGL C1000 – Academic Reading and Writing
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.
POLS C1000
American Government and Politics
This course is an introduction to government and politics in the United States and California. Students examine the constitutions, structure, and operation of governing institutions, civil liberties and civil rights, political behaviors, political issues, and public policy using political science theory and methodology. Formerly: POLT 101 - American Government and Politics.
    Plan 1: 4A. American Institutions
    Plan 2: 4. Social and Behavioral Sciences
    LAW 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 PARA 121).
      LAW 100
      Law and Society
      Overview of the legal system including the courts, participants and various sources of law in the American legal system. 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. Explanation of different sources of law including statutes, court cases and administrative agency rules. Review of basic legal reasoning and introductory legal research methods. Examination of legal ethics. Introduction to substantive areas of law and the effect the law has in various groups and individuals in our system. (Same as PARA 100.)
        Plan 1: 4B. Social Science
        Plan 2: 4. Social and Behavioral Sciences
        HIST C1001
        United States History to 1877
        This course is a historical survey of the United States, from Indigenous North America to the end of Reconstruction. The course also introduces students to historical reasoning skills. Examines the major political, economic, intellectual, and social forces at home and abroad that shaped American life from the colonial period through Reconstruction. Formerly: HIST 120 - The United States to 1877.

          Second Semester

          15-18 units
          STATS C1000 – Introduction to Statistics
          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.
          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
          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)
            CMST 140
            Argumentation and Debate
            This course provides students with a foundational understanding of argumentation, debate concepts, and theories essential for constructing, analyzing, and evaluating arguments across various contexts and public speaking settings. Students will explore key principles such as Aristotle’s proofs of ethos, pathos, and logos, as well as audience analysis, ethics in argumentation, and critical listening. Additionally, the course emphasizes effective verbal and nonverbal communication strategies for practical argumentation. Students will also learn to assess the strength of evidence and apply logical reasoning to develop and present compelling arguments before live audiences.
              Plan 1: 1B. Oral Communication and Critical Thinking
              LAW 299
              Work Experience - Law
              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. 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.