Paralegal Studies, A.S.

Program Code: 3707

The Associate in Science in Paralegal Studies is a 68-credit hour program to prepare students for employment as paralegals (also known as legal assistants) in a variety of settings such as law offices, courthouses and state agencies. Students receive education in many areas of law, legal research and general office skills. This exciting career offers great potential for employment and wages both in our area and elsewhere throughout the state and country.

Graduates of the program are eligible to take the Certified Legal Assistant Exam sponsored by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) without additional minimum employment history requirements.

Students completing this degree are also eligible to receive the Office Specialist Certificate. All students are urged to make an appointment to see Business Programs advisor once each semester to ensure that adequate progress toward a degree is being made. All students must apply for graduation upon enrollment in their last semester of coursework.

Requirements for Admission

There are no Admissions requirements for this program.

If a student is not at college level, they would take prep classes before beginning the program courses but could still be admitted.

Program Goals and Outcomes
After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical and professional standards of the paralegal.
• Demonstrate ability to utilize legal research materials and apply knowledge in legal writing.
• Demonstrate knowledge of family law, rules, and procedures.
• Manage business information using appropriate software.
• Demonstrate knowledge of real property law and its application to real property transactions.
• Demonstrate knowledge of estate planning and probate administration concepts and their application to probate procedures.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental principles of the law of business organizations.
• Perform office management activities.
   

Performance Standards

• Students need a C or higher in all coursework 
• Students are urged to make an appointment to see Santa Fe College’s Business Programs Advisor once each semester to ensure that adequate progress toward a degree is being made.
• Students must apply for graduation upon enrollment in their last semester of coursework.