College Catalog

The American Bar Association-approved Legal Assistant/Paralegal curriculum prepares students to assist attorneys, either in private practice or in public service, in the performance of their professional duties. Paralegals operate under the supervision of a licensed attorney and are prohibited from practicing law. The curriculum provides students with a core of paralegal courses, a variety of courses in specialized areas of law, and a series of related courses. A professional internship gives students on-the-job paralegal experience. This in-depth coverage of the paralegal's role in the field of law provides the background necessary for successful employment in this rapidly growing field.

Career Opportunities

Paralegals are employed in private law firms, offices of public defenders, court systems, government agencies, corporate legal departments, insurance companies, banks, real estate companies, community services programs, consumer organizations, and health care facilities.

Recommended High School Subjects

Students should have English and mathematics courses (including algebra).

Special Admissions Requirements

Acceptance into the major is contingent upon a personal meeting with a representative of the School of Business and Computer Technologies.

Remediation Strategies

All students entering the major are tested for English, reading, and mathematics deficiencies. Students are expected to remediate any deficiencies during their first semester. Deficiencies in English and/or reading must be remediated prior to beginning LAS courses.

Transfer Procedures

This major is subject to the transfer standards established by the College (see http://pct.edu/catalog/TransferringCredits.htm ). Exceptions must be approved by the school dean. A maximum of 15 legal specialty credits may be transferred into the associate-degree major (LA).

Program Goals

A graduate of this major should be able to:

• define and use terminology common to the legal industry.
• learn the basic principles of the American legal system, including the sources of law, jurisdiction, civil case procedure, and the structure of state and federal court systems.
• understand the nature of a law firm and the duties performed by an attorney.
• possess the knowledge to perform the duties of a paralegal in various specialized areas of law.
• possess the ability to read and understand legal documents and to assist the attorney with the drafting of such documents.
• demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with attorneys and clients, court personnel, and co-workers, both orally and in writing.
• learn the ethical rules and standards of practice pertaining to the paralegal and develop a framework for resolving ethical dilemmas.
• identify and respond appropriately to legal ethical issues, including conflicts of interest, client confidentiality, and unauthorized practice of law.
• learn how to conduct effective factual and legal research and prepare legal correspondence, memoranda, documents, and exhibits.
• demonstrate analytical reasoning capability.
• demonstrate competent writing skills, including the mechanics of grammar, punctuation, etc.
• demonstrate good organizational and time management skills.
• demonstrate a working knowledge of microcomputers.

Performance Standards

Students must maintain a 'C' or greater in all Legal Assistant-Paralegal courses. The major uses an A, B, C, and F grading scale in all LAS courses. Failure to achieve a grade of 'C' or higher after the maximum number of attempts allowed by College policy results in withdrawal from the major. Students should work closely with their advisers and with the program faculty to ensure they are meeting all criteria for satisfactory progress in the major.

Curriculum

A maximum of 15 legal specialty credits may be applied toward the associate’s degree (LA) through credit by examination or credit for work/life experience.

Additional Information

Students who begin the major in January will require at least five semesters to complete the major. Approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).