Paralegal Studies - Formerly Paralegal – Major #2553 - Certificate of Achievement

This program map only provides one possible pathway for degree and/or certificate obtainment and is for reference only. Please schedule an appointment with a counselor to develop your individualized Student Education Plan.
It is also important to discuss your transfer options with a counselor because each university will require specific courses.

This curriculum is designed for the student who desires employment and advancement in the field of paralegal work.

1. Describe the nature and historical development of the field of paralegalism, the ethical rules applicable to paralegals and the role of the paralegal in today’s law office.

2. Demonstrate basic legal research, analysis and writing skills in preparing basic legal documents.

3. Define basic legal terminology and explain the basic substantive and procedural concepts applicable to American civil and criminal law.

4. Demonstrate basic proficiency in certain selected computer software programs used in the law office for: legal forms preparation, time and billing, calendaring, litigation support and case management.

Program Map

Term 1

9 units
BA 20
Law and the Legal System
This course covers what every person should know about law as a social process, as well as U.S. law and its legal institutions. It includes the historical origins of law and the role law plays in modern Western and non-Western societies. Other areas covered include institutional sources of law, legal reasoning, judicial decision-making and remedies, an overview of the civil and criminal litigation processes, administrative law and procedure, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and ethics in the legal system. (A, CSU, UC)

Course Details:

  1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
    1. CSU Transfer

      You must take BA 20 and PLEGAL 1 in your first semester in order to graduate in 2 years.

      PLEGAL 1
      Introduction to Paralegal Studies
      This is a survey course of the paralegal profession, including its historical development, employment, ethics, job responsibilities, the litigation process, legal analysis, and legal research and writing. (A, CSU)

      Course Details:

      1. Corequisite: BA 20
      2. Advisory: ENGL C1000
        1. CSU Transfer

          You must take BA 20 and PLEGAL 1 in your first semester in order to graduate in 2 years.

          PLEGAL 7
          Law Office Administration and Ethics
          The course explores the fundamental principles of law office management and operation including human relations, general office procedures, and office supervision; with particular attention devoted to ethics and the legal profession. (A, CSU)

          Course Details:

          1. Corequisite: PLEGAL 1
            1. CSU Transfer

              Term 2

              9 units
              PLEGAL 2A
              Legal Research and Writing I
              This course focuses on the development of legal research skills through the use of primary and secondary sources, and the development of legal writing skills through the preparation of various legal writing assignments. (A, CSU)

              Course Details:

              1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                1. CSU Transfer

                  You must take PLEGAL 2A in your second semester in order to graduate in 2 years.

                  PLEGAL 14
                  Law Office Computing
                  This course introduces students to the use of various legal-specific computer software programs (litigation support forms creation, docketing, document management, etc.) commonly found in law offices; and provides hands-on training on use of selected programs. (A, CSU)

                  Course Details:

                  1. Corequisite: PLEGAL 1
                    2. OR
                  2. Corequisite: PLEGAL 156
                    3. OR
                  3. Corequisite: BT 140
                    1. CSU Transfer
                      Major Course

                      Select one of the following: 

                      This is a survey course exploring the law with regard to marriage, dissolution, nonmarital cohabitation, invalid marriages, separation, annulments, client interviewing, commencing the proceedings, orders pending trial, support, child custody and visitation, martial property, adoption, and parentage. (A, CSU)

                      Course Details:

                      1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                        1. CSU Transfer
                          This course is a survey of the law relevant to estates, trusts, wills, probate procedure, property (real and personal), sales, taxes, and formal and informal probate administration. (A, CSU)

                          Course Details:

                          1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                            1. CSU Transfer
                              This is a course exploring the law applicable to corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, and sole proprietorships; and the exploration of legal problems associated with the various forms of business organization including formation, management, control, securities, capitalization, taxation, reorganization, and dissolution. (A, CSU)

                              Course Details:

                              1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                                1. CSU Transfer
                                  Students in this course will examine the substantive areas of tort law and contract law. Tort law concepts include negligence, strict liability, intentional torts, and defenses and immunities. Contract law areas covered include mutual assent, consideration, enforcement issues, performance and discharge, and contract interpretation. (A, CSU)

                                  Course Details:

                                  1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                                    1. CSU Transfer
                                      This course introduces students to the substantive/procedural aspects of criminal law including crimes against persons and property, defenses to crimes, motions to suppress evidence, jury and court trials, sentencing, and appeals. (A, CSU)

                                      Course Details:

                                      1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                                        1. CSU Transfer
                                          This course explores the legal concepts and terminology associated with the law of evidence, including relevance, hearsay, presumptions, cross-examinations, impeachment, and privileges. (A, CSU)

                                          Course Details:

                                          1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                                            1. CSU Transfer
                                              This is an introduction to bankruptcy law course which explores bankruptcy proceedings, evaluating a client’s options in regard to such proceedings, and learning the rights/responsibilities of debtors and creditors. (A, CSU)

                                              Course Details:

                                              1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                                                1. CSU Transfer
                                                  This course explores the procedures and forms required for levying on real and personal property pursuant to judgments entered. Specific topics include enforcement strategies, filing judicial liens, issuing writs of execution, levying on personal and real property, preparing wage garnishment, claiming exemptions, and issuing and obtaining orders. (A, CSU)

                                                  Course Details:

                                                  1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                                                    1. CSU Transfer
                                                      This course serves as an introduction to basic concepts of administrative law and workers’ compensation law. Emphasis is placed on agency rulemaking, agency investigations, agency adjudications, judicial review, compensable injuries, temporary disability, permanent disability, and Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board proceedings. (A, CSU)

                                                      Course Details:

                                                      1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                                                        1. CSU Transfer
                                                          This course explores the legal relationship between employer and employee. Emphasis is placed on basic understanding of employment-related laws, and federal and state regulatory environment. Subjects covered include pre-employment concerns, legal aspects of the employer/employee relationship, discrimination issues and actions, terminations, and ethical issues in employment law. (A, CSU)

                                                          Course Details:

                                                          1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                                                            1. CSU Transfer
                                                              This course presents an overview of the constitutional interpretation of civil rights and liberties focusing on the Bill of Rights and landmark U.S. Supreme Court decisions in these areas. Emphasis is placed on: speech, press, other forms of expressive conduct, obscenity, church/state relations, voting rights, various forms of discrimination, personal privacy, abortion, “right to die,” freedom of association, etc. (A, CSU)

                                                              Course Details:

                                                              1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                                                                1. CSU Transfer
                                                                  This course provides students with experience in producing and formatting business and legal correspondence and documents using a current word processing program. (A)

                                                                  Course Details:

                                                                  1. Advisory: BT 1
                                                                    2. OR
                                                                  2. Advisory: BT 28
                                                                        OR
                                                                        This course provides students with experience in producing and formatting business and legal correspondence and documents using a current word processing program. (A)

                                                                        Course Details:

                                                                        1. Advisory: BT 1
                                                                          2. OR
                                                                        2. Advisory: BT 28

                                                                              Term 3

                                                                              9 units
                                                                              BT 28
                                                                              Microsoft Word I
                                                                              This course provides instruction on the basic features of Microsoft Word and is designed to equip students with the skills to prepare personal correspondence and reports. (A, CSU)

                                                                              Course Details:

                                                                              1. Advisory: BT 106
                                                                                1. CSU Transfer
                                                                                  PLEGAL 2B
                                                                                  Legal Research and Writing II
                                                                                  This course focuses on the continued development of advanced legal research skills using more sophisticated legal research tools, and of more sophisticated legal writing skills through preparation of more advanced and specialized legal writing assignments. (A, CSU)

                                                                                  Course Details:

                                                                                  1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 2A
                                                                                    1. CSU Transfer

                                                                                      You must take PLEGAL 2B and PLEGAL 6A in your third semester in order to graduate in 2 years.

                                                                                      PLEGAL 6A
                                                                                      Litigation I
                                                                                      This course introduces the student to the role of the paralegal in the litigation process; including the court system and jurisdiction issues, types and forms of pleadings, calendaring pleadings, and forms of discovery. (A, CSU)

                                                                                      Course Details:

                                                                                      1. Corequisite: PLEGAL 2B
                                                                                        1. CSU Transfer

                                                                                          You must take PLEGAL 2B and PLEGAL 6A in your third semester in order to graduate in 2 years.

                                                                                          BT 29
                                                                                          Microsoft Word II
                                                                                          In this course, students will learn the advanced features of Microsoft Word. Designed for office personnel using Microsoft Word on the job. (A, CSU)

                                                                                          Course Details:

                                                                                          1. Prerequisite: BT 28
                                                                                            1. CSU Transfer

                                                                                              Term 4

                                                                                              10 units
                                                                                              PLEGAL 6B
                                                                                              Litigation II
                                                                                              This course continues to explore the role of the paralegal in the litigation process. The content in this advanced course includes forms discovery; calendaring discovery; law and motion; trial setting; arbitration; preparation for trial and trial procedures; judgments; post-trial motions and appeals; and provisional remedies. (A, CSU)

                                                                                              Course Details:

                                                                                              1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 6A
                                                                                                1. CSU Transfer
                                                                                                  PLEGAL 19
                                                                                                  Work Experience Education
                                                                                                  This course consists of supervised employment extending the classroom based on occupational learning related to paralegal. Collaborative learning objectives established specific to paralegal. (A, CSU)

                                                                                                  Course Details:

                                                                                                  1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 6A
                                                                                                    1. CSU Transfer

                                                                                                      To register, email registration@fresnocitycollege.edu from your school email. Ask for 4 units and include your student ID number.

                                                                                                      Major Course

                                                                                                      Select one of the following: 

                                                                                                      This is a survey course exploring the law with regard to marriage, dissolution, nonmarital cohabitation, invalid marriages, separation, annulments, client interviewing, commencing the proceedings, orders pending trial, support, child custody and visitation, martial property, adoption, and parentage. (A, CSU)

                                                                                                      Course Details:

                                                                                                      1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                                                                                                        1. CSU Transfer
                                                                                                          This course is a survey of the law relevant to estates, trusts, wills, probate procedure, property (real and personal), sales, taxes, and formal and informal probate administration. (A, CSU)

                                                                                                          Course Details:

                                                                                                          1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                                                                                                            1. CSU Transfer
                                                                                                              This is a course exploring the law applicable to corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, and sole proprietorships; and the exploration of legal problems associated with the various forms of business organization including formation, management, control, securities, capitalization, taxation, reorganization, and dissolution. (A, CSU)

                                                                                                              Course Details:

                                                                                                              1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                                                                                                                1. CSU Transfer
                                                                                                                  Students in this course will examine the substantive areas of tort law and contract law. Tort law concepts include negligence, strict liability, intentional torts, and defenses and immunities. Contract law areas covered include mutual assent, consideration, enforcement issues, performance and discharge, and contract interpretation. (A, CSU)

                                                                                                                  Course Details:

                                                                                                                  1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                                                                                                                    1. CSU Transfer
                                                                                                                      This course introduces students to the substantive/procedural aspects of criminal law including crimes against persons and property, defenses to crimes, motions to suppress evidence, jury and court trials, sentencing, and appeals. (A, CSU)

                                                                                                                      Course Details:

                                                                                                                      1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                                                                                                                        1. CSU Transfer
                                                                                                                          This course explores the legal concepts and terminology associated with the law of evidence, including relevance, hearsay, presumptions, cross-examinations, impeachment, and privileges. (A, CSU)

                                                                                                                          Course Details:

                                                                                                                          1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                                                                                                                            1. CSU Transfer
                                                                                                                              This is an introduction to bankruptcy law course which explores bankruptcy proceedings, evaluating a client’s options in regard to such proceedings, and learning the rights/responsibilities of debtors and creditors. (A, CSU)

                                                                                                                              Course Details:

                                                                                                                              1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                                                                                                                                1. CSU Transfer
                                                                                                                                  This course explores the procedures and forms required for levying on real and personal property pursuant to judgments entered. Specific topics include enforcement strategies, filing judicial liens, issuing writs of execution, levying on personal and real property, preparing wage garnishment, claiming exemptions, and issuing and obtaining orders. (A, CSU)

                                                                                                                                  Course Details:

                                                                                                                                  1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                                                                                                                                    1. CSU Transfer
                                                                                                                                      This course serves as an introduction to basic concepts of administrative law and workers’ compensation law. Emphasis is placed on agency rulemaking, agency investigations, agency adjudications, judicial review, compensable injuries, temporary disability, permanent disability, and Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board proceedings. (A, CSU)

                                                                                                                                      Course Details:

                                                                                                                                      1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                                                                                                                                        1. CSU Transfer
                                                                                                                                          This course explores the legal relationship between employer and employee. Emphasis is placed on basic understanding of employment-related laws, and federal and state regulatory environment. Subjects covered include pre-employment concerns, legal aspects of the employer/employee relationship, discrimination issues and actions, terminations, and ethical issues in employment law. (A, CSU)

                                                                                                                                          Course Details:

                                                                                                                                          1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                                                                                                                                            1. CSU Transfer
                                                                                                                                              This course presents an overview of the constitutional interpretation of civil rights and liberties focusing on the Bill of Rights and landmark U.S. Supreme Court decisions in these areas. Emphasis is placed on: speech, press, other forms of expressive conduct, obscenity, church/state relations, voting rights, various forms of discrimination, personal privacy, abortion, “right to die,” freedom of association, etc. (A, CSU)

                                                                                                                                              Course Details:

                                                                                                                                              1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                                                                                                                                                1. CSU Transfer
                                                                                                                                                  This course provides students with experience in producing and formatting business and legal correspondence and documents using a current word processing program. (A)

                                                                                                                                                  Course Details:

                                                                                                                                                  1. Advisory: BT 1
                                                                                                                                                    2. OR
                                                                                                                                                  2. Advisory: BT 28
                                                                                                                                                        OR
                                                                                                                                                        This course provides students with experience in producing and formatting business and legal correspondence and documents using a current word processing program. (A)

                                                                                                                                                        Course Details:

                                                                                                                                                        1. Advisory: BT 1
                                                                                                                                                          2. OR
                                                                                                                                                        2. Advisory: BT 28