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California Regional Consortia

Legal Studies Certificate of Achievement

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Submitter's Information

Name

Cheryl Mackey

Title

Department Chair

Region

Bay Area

College

Chabot College

CTE Dean

CTE Dean's Name

Tracey Coleman

CTE Dean's Email

Log in to view CTE Dean's Email.

Program Details

Program Title

Legal Studies Certificate of Achievement

Submission Type

New Program

TOPs Code

Administration of Justice (210500)

Projected Start Date

08/15/26

Catalog Description

The Legal Studies Certificate Program is open to students of any major who are interested in studying the development, logic, interpretation, perception, and application of law. The Legal Studies curriculum examines how law shapes and is shaped by political, economic, and cultural forces. As part of the program, students will take law-related courses from different departments throughout Chabot College. To earn the Legal Studies Certificate, students must complete a total of 8 courses (24 units). Students may double-count these courses toward major, minor, general education or other academic requirements.

Enrollment Completer Projections

Thirty students

Program Proposal Attributes

Program Award Type(s) (Check all that apply)
  • Certificate of Achievement: 16 or greater semester (or 24 or greater quarter) units (C)
Program Goal

A Legal Studies Certificate provides students with a strong foundation in the legal system, giving them an in-depth understanding of law from multiple perspectives. This certificate will provide valuable insight and preparation for various future careers, including social work, community and government service, legal support, legislative assistant, and law enforcement, as well as for those planning to attend law school.

Course Units and Hours

Total Certificate Units (Minimum and Maximum)

24-25

Units for Degree Major or Area of Emphasis (Minimum and Maximum)

n/a

Total Units for Degree (Minimum and Maximum)

n/a

Course Report

Program Requirements Narrative

The Legal Studies Certificate Program is open to students of any major who are interested in studying the development, logic, interpretation, perception, and application of law. The Legal Studies curriculum examines how law shapes and is shaped by political, economic, and cultural forces. As part of the program, students will take law-related courses from different departments throughout Chabot College. To earn the Legal Studies Certificate, students must complete a total of 8 courses (24-25 units). Students may double-count these courses toward major, minor, general education, or other academic requirements.

Program Requirements
CourseTitleUnitsYear/Semester
(Y1 or S1)
POLS C1000
American Government and Politics


3S1
ADMJ 50
Introduction to the Administration of Justice


3S1
ADMJ 41
Legal Persuasion and Argument


3S1
PLGL 31 
Legal Writing and Research


3S1
BUS 10
Business Law


4S2
ADMJ 60 Criminal Law 3S2
PLGL 32Litigation and Civil Procedure3S2
Choose (1) one course:

  1. COMM 1 
  2. PLGL 36
  3. ADMJ 61 
  4. ADMJ 80
  5. ECN 10 
  1. Fundamentals of Speech Communication
  2. Contract Law 
  3. Evidence 
  4. Criminal Court Process
  5. General Economics 
3S2

Supporting Documents

Upload Labor Market Information (LMI)

Bay Area Regional Questions

Goal of Program

CTE

Include any other information you would like to share.

This certificate was created based on student demand. We have had a steady increase in students requesting to study this particular area and move on to law school. 

Please list similar programs at other colleges in the service area which may be impacted, including the name of the college, the name of the program that may be impacted, the name of the person you contacted and the outcome of that contact.

Not applicable - there are paralegal studies programs, not legal studies certificates. Moreover, the paralegal studies programs offered in the area (Las Positas and Ohlone College) are NOT academic certificate programs through the Colleges. They are contract education/ community education certificates offered through third parties. 

Submission Details

Published at

09/17/25 - 11:28 AM

Status

Recommended

Return to Drafts

Please list the reason(s) for returning "Legal Studies Certificate of Achievement". to Cheryl Mackey's drafts. This message will be sent to cmackey@chabotcollege.edu

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