Paralegal/Legal Studies Associate in Science, Major

The program of study for the Associate in Science degree in Paralegal/Legal Studies is ABA-approved and complies with the requirements established under current California law to become a paralegal. NOTE:Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law. Our program is designed so that students may satisfy the general education requirements and paralegal course requirements simultaneously to earn both the degree and the Certificate of Achievement. The paralegal certificate is ONLY awarded upon completion of the general education requirements for the Associate’s degree.

General Education Requirements by the ABA:  The ABA has general requirements that are different than those required by CCSF. If you have questions on the general education requirements, please call 415/239-3508 to speak to the Paralegal/Legal Studies Program Coordinator.Currently, the ABA does NOT accept courses approved for CCSF’s General Education areas as follows:

Area A: Business English, Business Mathematics, Computer Science, Design, Microcomputer Applications for Business, and Supervision and Management

Area C: Nutrition and Ornamental Horticulture

Area D: Academic Achievement Personal Success, Health Education, and Physical Education

Area E: Design

Area G: Culinary Arts, Health Education, Nutrition, and Physical Education

Area H: Health Education, Physical Education, and Supervision and Business Management

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Locate and analyze the law.
• Prepare and file pleadings in both the federal and California court systems.
• Use law office software efficiently.

The projected number of annual completers for the Paralegal/Legal Studies degree is 15 students.  This figure is based on the number of students who have petitioned for graduation in the past three academic years.

Enrollment has been between 150-200 students each semester for the past three academic years. When the economy is down, enrollment is higher.

The College’s goals are to prepare students for transfer to higher education, for the workforce, in basic skills, in civic education, or provide lifelong learning. The Paralegal/Legal Studies Associate of Science degree prepares students for the workforce and helps those who wish to transfer and enter the study of law.

This degree has existed at City College of San Francisco since 1973 and was approved by the American Bar Association (“ABA”) in 2017. The ABA-approval process required the Program to undergo a self-evaluation and site visit to create quality and current training for those seeking a career in this field. The ABA’s approval is recognized nationwide.

Required Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
PLS 1	Introduction to Paralegal Studies	3	S1
PLS 2	Legal Research and Writing I	3	S1
PLS 3	Legal Research and Writing II	3	S2
PLS 4	Litigation I	3	S2
PLS 5	Litigation II	3	S3
PLS 6	Law Office Management and Procedures	3	S4

Choose 18 units from the following elective courses to be taken in S3 or S4
BSL 1 - Business Law I	3.00
BSL 2 - Business Law 2	3.00
PLS 7 - Corporate Law	3.00
PLS 9 - Wills, Trusts, and Probate Administration	3.00
PLS 12 - Family Law	3.00
PLS 13 - Intellectual Property	3.00
PLS 14 - Immigration Law	3.00
PLS 16 - Paralegal Work Experience	1.00 - 3.00

Enrollment is open to all interested students who are completed ENGL 1A or its equivalent with a final grade of C or higher. Students transferring general education coursework completed at another school must furnish an official transcript.

Students must complete PLS 1 and PLS 2 with a C or higher before proceeding to PLS 3 and PLS 4. Students who have completed PLS 4 may take PLS 5 and PLS 6.

The electives also have requisites. Students who have completed up to PLS 4 may take any of the electives.

none

The College of Extended Learning at San Francisco State University offers an ABA-approved paralegal program. Current tuition per course is $899, rendering it unavailable to most students attending City College where we currently offer tuition-free classes to San Francisco residents. Students are required to have a minimum of 60 semester or 90 quarter units of prior academic course credit to be admitted to the program, and so, this is not a degree program. Cal State East Bay offers an ABA-approved paralegal program in Hayward, Concord, and Oakland. Current tuition per course is $621, rendering it unavailable to most students attending City College where we currently offer tuition-free classes to San Francisco residents. To be admitted to the program, you must have 80 quarter units or 53 semester units of college credits, and so, this is also not a degree program. Skyline College offers an ABA-approved paralegal program but is not tuition free. Students who live and work in San Francisco would not be served by this College in San Bruno that is intended the serve the population in the Peninsula.