Note: This program may lead to an occupational license for which a prior criminal history may make a student ineligible. For more information, please visit: https://www.dcccd.edu/hb1508.
(Associate of Applied Science Degree)
(Block Scheduling available on El Centro Campus)
- Students pursuing this award program are required to meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards and course prerequisites.
- Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by the college awarding the degree.
Degree Plan Code: AAS.PARALEGAL.10
The Paralegal Studies Program is an Associate of Applied Science Degree program designed to prepare the student to function as a technically qualified assistant to the lawyer.
Upon completion of the program, graduates should be able to accomplish these program goals:
- Demonstrate the ability to comprehend, apply, and evaluate information in various substantive areas of law.
- Demonstrate the ability to draft legal documents with minimum supervision.
- Demonstrate written and oral communication skills, teamwork, critical thinking, computer proficiency, and legal research relevant to their work as a paralegal.
- Demonstrate the ability to integrate legal theory and related practical applications.
- Demonstrate the ability to manage practical ethical dilemmas commonly encountered by working paralegals including how to avoid the unauthorized practice of law by non-lawyers.
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LGLA 1301 | Legal Research and Writing | 3 |
| LGLA 1311 | Introduction to Law | 3 |
| LGLA 1313 | Introduction to Paralegal Studies | 3 |
| LGLA 1317 | Law Office Technology | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| Prerequisite Semester 1 Total | 15 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LGLA 1345 | Civil Litigation | 3 |
| LGLA 1351 | Contracts | 3 |
| LGLA 1353 | Wills, Trusts and Probate Administration | 3 |
| LGLA 1355 | Family Law | 3 |
| ++Elective | Math Elective | 3 |
| Prerequisite Semester 2 Total | 15 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LGLA 2303 | Torts and Personal Injury Law | 3 |
| LGLA 2311 | Business Organizations | 3 |
| SPCH 1311 | Introduction to Speech Communication OR | 3 |
| SPCH 1315 | Public Speaking | (3) |
| GOVT 2305 | Federal Government OR | 3 |
| GOVT 2306 | Texas Government | (3) |
| LGLA 1380 | Cooperative Education-Legal Assistant/Paralegal1 OR | 3 |
| +Elective | Paralegal Elective (one course) | (3) |
| Semester Total | 15 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LGLA 2309 | Real Property | 3 |
| LGLA 2331 | Advanced Legal Research and Writing | 3 |
| LGLA 2380 | Cooperative Education-Legal Assistant/Paralegal1 OR | 3 |
| +Elective | Paralegal Elective (one course) | (3) |
| +++Elective | Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 |
| ++++Elective | Social/Behavioral Science | 3 |
| Semester Total | 15 | |
| Minimum Hours Required | 60 | |
|---|---|---|
NOTE: Students must complete courses in Prerequisite Semesters 1 and 2 prior to enrolling in LGLA 2331.
+Paralegal Electives - SIX credit hours must be selected from the following:
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LGLA 1300 | Elder Law | 3 |
| LGLA 1323 | Employment Law | 3 |
| LGLA 1343 | Bankruptcy | 3 |
| LGLA 1359 | Immigration Law | 3 |
| LGLA 2313 | Criminal Law and Procedure | 3 |
| LGLA 2315 | Oil and Gas Law | 3 |
| LGLA 2323 | Intellectual Property | 3 |
| LGLA 2335 | Advanced Civil Litigation | 3 |
++MATH Elective - must be selected from the AAS Core Options for Mathematics.
+++Humanities/Fine Arts Elective - must be selected from the AAS Core Options for Humanities/Fine Arts.
++++Social/Behavioral Science Electives - must be selected from the AAS Core Options for Social/Behavioral Science.
1 Students are required to have a paid legal position prior to the beginning of the semester. The course offers college credit for legal work experience and lectures to aid in career development or advancement.
NOTE: Students enrolling in this program who plan to transfer to a four-year institution should consult an advisor or counselor regarding transfer requirements and the transferability of these courses to the four-year institution of their choice.
