B.A. Degree: Paralegal Studies

Below is a sample academic plan that shows you how you can complete your Bachelor's degree in two years and lists ONLY the course requirements specific to this Bachelor's Degree Program. Your path may vary based on your individual circumstances?for example, how many credits you have previously earned, if you attend part-time, or if you choose to take Intersession or Summer Session courses. You are required to meet with a counselor to set up a comprehensive education plan and ensure that you meet all Bachelor's degree requirements.

*Students enrolled in a SAC Bachelor's degree program must first earn an Associate's degree in a related field and must be accepted into the Bachelor's degree program.

The baccalaureate degree in Paralegal Studies will create a more highly skilled paralegal who is better prepared by education to perform substantial legal work under the direction and supervision of an active member of the State Bar of California, 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 approved by the American Bar Association.  

As an additional benefit, it will prepare the student to take the NALA Certified Paralegal Exam. The upper division course work will provide more in-depth training in specific areas of professional paralegals, including civil litigation, discovery and administration of electronically stored information, trial preparation and presentation, legal project management, advance technology issues such as privacy and security, advanced electronic research, contract management, regulatory compliance, legal investigations, clinic and work experience opportunities, and advanced legal ethics.

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

 

To complete the Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies, students must:  

1. Complete Program Prerequisites of either: 
     a. Associate Degree from an ABA-approved paralegal program that is from a U.S. institutionally accredited institution (that meets district standards of rigor). 

     b. Or a Certificate from an ABA-approved paralegal program that is from a U.S. institution with accreditation from a formerly regional accrediting agency with any associate or baccalaureate degree from any regionally accredited institution. 

2. General Education Requirement: complete the Cal-GETC lower division general education pattern; the CSU-GE Breadth pattern or IGETC pattern may be used in some cases, please see a counselor for details; OR complete the Santa Ana College Associate Degree General Education (GE) Requirements (Plan 1) with coursework completed from Plan 1 to total a minimum of 27 semester units (note that Plan 1 consists of a minimum of 24 units so additional Plan 1 coursework may be needed to reach 27 units). 

3. Upper Division General Education Requirement: A minimum of 9 units of Upper Division Level General Education coursework as listed in program information.

4. Major Course Work: Complete all upper division major course requirements as listed in program information.

5. Major Requirement: Complete all upper division major course requirements with a grade of “C” or better or Pass ("P").

6. Complete any elective courses that are baccalaureate level for a minimum of 120 units.  Lower-division courses acceptable towards a baccalaureate degree are designated as CSU transferable or determined to be at the baccalaureate level. 

    a. Lower-division courses from other U.S. institutions with institutional accreditation (that meets district and program standards of rigor) will be reviewed by a counselor and graduation specialist to determine baccalaureate credit based on course description, comparable content, appropriate prerequisites, or C-ID number. 

7. Residence Requirement - At least 12 units of upper division coursework must be completed at Santa Ana College or Santiago Canyon College or a combination of the two.

8. All lower-division requirements and pre-requisites must be met before the baccalaureate degree is granted.  

 

Students will demonstrate advanced proficiency in paralegal roles and duties, including client communication and legal ethics as established by the California Business and Professions Code Section 6450 and the California Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys.

Students will have technical and practical skills to evaluate, create, and safeguard information that is electronically created, stored, collected, reviewed, produced, and encountered in the criminal and civil litigation process, as part of transactional work, or within the legal profession.

Students will be able to critically analyze and evaluate legal systems and sources of law, apply advanced electronic research techniques, manage complex legal projects, and create comprehensive strategies for civil discovery processes.

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

12 units
PARA 321
Advanced Legal Ethics
This course explores the ethical duties of lawyers and paralegals in client representation, focusing on the regulatory role of the State Bar of California. Topics include the supervision of nonlawyer staff, law office procedures for client funds, IOLTA programs, the impact of technology on confidentiality, and ethical considerations in ADR, non-profit, government, and criminal law practices.
  • Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Student must be admitted to the Paralegal Studies Baccalaureate program.
PARA 345
Advanced Civil Litigation
This comprehensive class will cover civil procedure before, during and after trial, civil discovery, attorney fee awards, damages, and appellate practice. Additional topics to be covered will include summary judgments, depositions, expert witnesses, discovery motions, service of process, subpoenas, statutory deadlines, and writs of attachment. Upon completion, paralegal students will have the skills to work under an attorney's supervision to support a thriving litigation practice in California.
  • Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Student must be admitted to the Paralegal Studies Baccalaureate program.
PARA 407
Advanced Criminal Procedure
This advanced course will allow students to understand the day-to-day practice realities in a criminal law office through the variety of responsibilities a paralegal would undertake in a busy criminal defense or prosecutors' office. Students will demonstrate their understanding of procedures during a criminal prosecution including arrest & booking; charging instruments; arraignments; bail/bond; pre-trial services reports and supervision; discovery; pretrial motions and hearings; plea agreements; trial; sentencing guidelines, post-sentence supervised release, probation, and parole. Students will evaluate in-custody and out-of-custody filings as well as appraising appropriate court communications and mandatory timelines.
  • Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Student must be admitted to the Paralegal Studies baccalaureate program.
PSYC 350
Psychology and Law
Introduction to the field of psychology and law. This course is meant to provide students with a better understanding of how psychological theory and research apply to the legal system, as well as how the law guides psychological research. It will cover psychological theory and methods relevant to legal topics such as eyewitness memory, expert and jury decision making, race, mental illness, cognitive biases, and social influence. These topics span multiple sub-fields, including cognitive, social, developmental, personality, and biological psychology.
  • Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Student must be admitted to the Bachelor's of Arts program in Paralegal Studies.

Second Semester

8 units
PARA 310
Courtroom & Litigation Technology
This class will provide an understanding of the skills, workflows, and techniques necessary to plan and present exhibits at a trial, arbitration, and other hearings using trial presentation tools and strategies. Students will practice assisting attorneys at trial.
  • Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Student must be admitted to the Paralegal Studies Baccalaureate program.
PARA 348
Advanced Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing
In this advanced legal research and writing course, students will explore sophisticated research techniques and strategies utilizing industry-standard electronic databases. Students will engage in substantive legal analysis, applying current law to various factual scenarios through comprehensive writing exercises. The course will emphasize effective strategies for formulating legal research queries, enabling students to conduct thorough and efficient legal research using electronic resources, databases, and technology.
  • Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Student must be admitted to the Paralegal Studies baccalaureate program.
PARA 350
Contract Management & Corporate Documents
Discover the role of a paralegal in contract drafting, lifecycle management, and negotiations. Paralegal students will differentiate roles between legal and business interests, compare risk and analyze proposals, and design agreements for attorney review. Students will leave this course having evaluated and utilized the available practice guides for contract drafting, including computer applications.
  • Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Student must be admitted to the Paralegal Studies baccalaureate program.

Third Semester

11 units
PARA 320
Advanced Technology in the Law Office
The use of legal and other technology in litigation support, case management applications and discovery will be understood by students in this class. Students will engage in various activities where technology solutions for the law office which are: ethical, reliable, and comport with best practices in the legal industry, are tested and evaluated.
  • Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Student must be admitted to the Paralegal Studies Baccalaureate program.
PARA 370
Administrative Law and Regulatory Compliance
Examination of administrative law and regulation, focusing on procedure at both the state and federal levels. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the Administrative Procedure Act governing various agencies, including Security and Exchange Commission, Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration (SSA), Workers Compensation, Immigration, Public Utilities, Education, and more. Through the exploration of administrative regulation, creation, and compliance in diverse industries, students will develop the expertise needed to navigate and excel in administrative law practice. Emphasis on the unique role of Paralegals in administrative proceedings.
  • Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Student must be admitted to the Paralegal Studies baccalaureate program.
PARA 401
Advanced Law Office Procedure, Transactions, and Forms
Overview of advanced law office procedures, to include: client intake procedures, appropriate selection and use of judicial council forms (including family law, probate, and unlawful detainer), subpoenas and warrants, consumer notices, HIPAA, settlement and demand letters as well as complex calendar rules. Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of these advanced procedures and their application within a law office.
  • Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Student must be admitted to the Paralegal Studies baccalaureate program.
ENGL 301
Law and Literature
This course explores the intersection between law and literature, examining how legal concepts and issues are represented and interpreted through literary texts. Students will analyze various works of fiction, drama, and poetry that engage with legal themes such as justice, rights, and morality. The course will also delve into how literature reflects and critiques legal systems and practices and how they impact individuals and communities, as well as how legal frameworks influence literary production and interpretation.
  • Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Student must be admitted to the Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies program.

Fourth Semester

9-12 units
PARA 330
Legal Project Management
This course focuses on litigation support roles within the framework of legal project management, emphasizing the implementation of attorney-directed strategies in increasingly complex environments, particularly those involving electronically stored information. Students will explore project management techniques for contracting with outside vendors and professionals, while effectively managing processes among law firms, clients, and vendors in a collaborative manner. Through this class, students will develop the skills necessary to successfully manage legal projects, ensuring alignment with shared goals and efficient workflow.
  • Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Student must be admitted to the Paralegal Studies baccalaureate program.
PARA 399
Advanced Work Experience - Paralegal
This work experience course of supervised employment allows students to gain practical experience, develop knowledge, and apply higher level paralegal skills in a professional setting. Students will develop objectives with instructor and participate in career-related paid or unpaid assignments in private or public agencies or law offices. 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.
  • Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Student must be admitted to the Paralegal Studies baccalaureate program.
PARA 497
Advanced Paralegal Capstone
This capstone course is designed to integrate all prior course work with real-world experience and case studies. The course includes preparation of a senior portfolio in which the student demonstrates the application of paralegal skills in a practical setting through writing samples and case analyses, showcasing their competencies in various areas of law. Additionally, the course will provide focused preparation for the NALA certification exam.
  • Prerequisite: Student must be admitted to the Paralegal Studies baccalaureate program.
CMST 310
Communication and Conflict Resolution
This course is designed to examine the causes and structure of conflict, communication strategies exhibited in conflict, and intervention principles for conflict management. An emphasis on the role of communication in the decision-making process of negotiation and bargaining will be explored.
  • Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Students must be admitted to a baccalaureate degree program at Santa Ana College.