Law: Paralegal Studies

The Paralegal Studies Program is offered by the Law Department to students who are interested in working in the legal field. The function of the paralegal is to assist attorneys in providing legal services in civil and criminal actions. The Paralegal Studies Program is designed to provide students with high quality education, training, and internship opportunities. The Paralegal Studies Program is offered day, evening, weekends, and on-line.

It is expected that half of the core courses would be offered each semester, with an approximate total of 10 courses in the program being offered every year. Estimated enrollment in the various courses would the initial first year beginning with approximately 20-25 students. The second year projection would be approximately 25-30 students and that in the subsequent years growth will continue to increase by approximately 10-12 per cent.

To prepare students for employment as paralegals in various legal sectors. The American Bar Association, Section 21.12 uses the terms "paralegal" and "legal assistant:" interchangeably referring to persons who, although not members of the legal profession, are qualified through education, training, or work experience, and are employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, governmental agency, or other entity in a capacity or function which involves the performance, under the direction and supervision of an attorney, of specifically delegated substantive legal work. The Paralegal Studies Certificate of Achievement emphasizes practical application and the development of current paralegal job skills, in addition to teaching legal theory, the ability to apply critical thinking skills, and apply correct legal principles.

Law 10 (Introduction to Paralegal Studies I), Law 11 (Introduction to Paralegal Studies II), Law 51 (Legal Research for Paralegals), Law 17 (Legal Writing for Paralegals), Law 01 (Business Law 1), Law 02 (Business Law 2), Law 12 (Tort Law and Claims Investigation), Law 04 (Legal Internship Total Units: 24 Certificate of Achievement: 24 units

The Law: Paralegal Studies Program does not replace anhy of the college's existingprograms. What htis program does is to provide education and training in a field that is growing. This program will be under the Business Depargtment.

Mission College has a totally on-line program and it is located approximately 35 miles northwest of East Los Angeles College. Los Angeles City College has a Paralegal Program that is offered on campus only. Los Angeles Trade Tech has a limited Paralegal Program, focusing on social and criminal law only. El Camino College, Cerritos College, Mt. San Antonio College, Rio Hondo College, and Pasadena College also offer a Paralegal Program. All of these colleges are approximately 20-30 miles away and they serve a totally different socio-economic student body.

Annual enrollment is anticipated to start at about 25 students with an annual increase of about 10 to 12 per cent.