Paralegal Studies

The legal profession has evolved to include more paraprofessional assistance in the delivery of legal services to the consumer.Current economic trends and technologies find paralegals filling a space in the consumer market that was once filled only by attorneys. Law firms and corporate legal departments rely on paralegals as cost saving measures forwarded to the client. The Paralegal occupation is expected to grow at a faster than average rate through 2018 according to the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The paralegal program at Victor Valley College prepares students to work in the legal industry by introducing students to legal theory which leads to employment in administrative agencies, governmental agencies,corporations, insurance companies, human resources departments, private and public law offices and other legal environments. Paralegals duties include performing factual and legal research and investigation, drafting legal documents and correspondence, interviewing clients and witnesses, trial preparation and organizing and maintaining court files. Training students in the practical application and the development of current paralegal related job skills is emphasized. Paralegals students will learn to adopt and use computer technology skills in the law setting, using electronic databases and research tools.

There are two types of legal industry paraprofessionals.California Business and Professions Codes 6400 (c) and California Business and Professions Code 6450 (a) define the duties, responsibilities and obligations that the industry and state regulate.

The primary goal of the paralegal program is to educate and prepare students for employment as paralegals where they can demonstrate competency and ethical standards demanded by and of the profession.

Students must, before entering the program, complete English101/101H or assess at an English 101 level. The sequencing of courses has been designed to enhance student success in the field. PAL 100, 102, and 103 are the foundational classes that are prerequisite to the higher level legal specialty classes. These three classes should optimally be taken concurrently to provide that firm foundation for success. PAL 104 may be taken concurrent with PAL 100,102 and 103, but may be taken at any time. A firm foundation in writing and grammar skills and completion of Political Science 102 are recommended.

The Paralegal Studies Associate of Arts degree program prepares students to work in the legal industry and other related fields requiring the paraprofessional skills learned through the designed required and elective curriculum. Paralegal duties can include, but not limited to, working under the supervision of an attorney in a law office performing factual and legal research, drafting legal documents and correspondence, interviewing clients and witnesses, case management, computer skills, and calendaring case dockets. A student must complete a minimum of 18 semester units of American Bar Association approved general education courses in the areas of language and composition, mathematics, social science and behavioral sciences, natural sciences, humanities and the arts.

This is not a four year transfer program, is not a substitute for law school, nor is it intended to be used for advanced standing in law school applications. It is not a pre-law program. It is not intended to serve as a preparation for bar examination.

Course                                  Program enrollment                 Retention                         Success

From the Fall of 2014 to Spring 2015 (the first two semester of records for PAL courses) Paralegal Studies (PAL) courses went from a 77%success rate to 90% success rate ,and improved its retention rate from 91%to 95%.  2016-17 retention and success rates remain the same. These improved rates remain stable. Both rates are higher than the institutional rates. Since sequencing and pre-requisites have been implemented enrollments have grown to 20 students per the introductory course with an approximate 17-18 students retained and success through the program.

The paralegal Studies Associate of Arts degree program at Victor Valley College is designed for students to work in the legal industry by introducing students to legal theory which leads to employment in administrative agencies, governmental agencies, corporations, insurance companies, human resources departments, private and public law offices and other legal environments. Paralegals duties include performing factual and legal research and investigation, drafting legal documents and correspondence,interviewing clients and witnesses, trial preparation and organizing and maintaining court files. Training students in the practical application and the development of current paralegal related job skills is emphasized. Paralegal students will learn to adopt and use computer technology skills in the law setting, using electronic databases and research tools.

See chart below

Required Courses- PARALEGAL STUDIES DEGREE - Students must completea minimum of 57-64 units, with a minimum grade of “C” in all paralegal classes.Sequencing Required.

 Units Required: 57-64.0

Group I — All of the following must be completed:

Course #                                                        Name                                               Units

Group II- Electives- Atleast 13 Units of the following must be completed:

Select 18 units from general education credits in accordance with Victor Valley College Associate Degree policy. Coursework must have substantive content and require students to engage in work that develops their communication, quantitative, and analytical skills. General education courses include Social and Behavioral Sciences, English Composition and Literature,Foreign Language, Mathematics, Humanities, Natural Science and Fine Arts. Not included in this section are Business Administration courses, Management and Accounting courses, Performance classes, Technology and Office Skills courses Nursing and Allied Health courses, Criminal Justice and related Police science courses, Real Estate courses, Occupational and Vocational courses, Counseling and Guidance courses, English courses designed for those whose primary language is not English, Physical Education courses, unless enumerated in the required or elective course section.

TOTAL UNITS: MINIMUM UNITS REQUIRED 57/MAXIMUM 64