Paralegal – Major #2550

Certificate of Achievement Program Map
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The program map below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this path. It is always recommended that you meet with your pathway counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.


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

Upon completion of the program, students will:
  1. 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. 2. Demonstrate basic legal research, analysis and writing skills in preparing basic legal documents.
  3. 3. Define basic legal terminology and explain the basic substantive and procedural concepts applicable to American civil and criminal law.
  4. 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.
Effective Term: 2024 Fall Semester

Term 1

9 units

BA 20
Law and the Legal System

3 units
Effective Term: 2022 Spring Semester
What every educated citizen should know about law as a social process and about American law and legal institutions. The historical origins of law as well as the role law plays in modern western and non-western societies. Institutional sources of law; legal reasoning; judicial decision making and remedies; an overview of the civil and criminal litigation process; administrative law and procedure; alternative dispute resolution mechanisms; ethics and the legal system. (A, CSU-GE, UC)
Course Details:
  1. Advisory: ENGL 1A
    1. D8 - Political Science, Government, and Legal Institutions
    1. B - Social and Behavioral Sciences

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

    PLEGAL 1
    Introduction to Paralegalism

    3 units
    Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
    Overview of paralegal profession, including historical development, employment, ethics, job responsibilities, litigation process, legal analysis, and legal research and writing. (A, CSU)
    Course Details:
    1. Corequisite: BA 20
    2. Advisory: ENGL 1A
      1. CSU Transfer Course

        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

        3 units
        Effective Term: 2023 Fall Semester
        Principles of law office management and operation include professional ethics, human relations, general office procedures, and office supervision. Preparation for working in law office environment. (A, CSU)
        Course Details:
        1. Corequisite: PLEGAL 1
          1. CSU Transfer Course

            Term 2

            9 units

            PLEGAL 2A
            Legal Research and Writing I

            3 units
            Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
            Development of legal research skills through the use of primary and secondary sources. Development of legal writing skills through the preparation of various legal writing assignments. (A, CSU)
            Course Details:
            1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
              1. CSU Transfer Course

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

                PLEGAL 14
                Law Office Computing

                3 units
                Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                Introduction to the use of various legal-specific computer software programs (litigation support forms creation, docketing, document management, etc.) commonly found in law offices. Hands-on training on use of selected programs. (A, CSU)
                Course Details:
                1. Corequisite: PLEGAL 1
                2. Corequisite: PLEGAL 156
                3. Corequisite: BT 140
                  1. CSU Transfer Course

                    Major Course

                    3 units

                    Select one of the following: 

                    PLEGAL 3
                    Family Law

                    3 units
                    Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                    Marriage, divorce, 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 Course

                        PLEGAL 4
                        Probate

                        3 units
                        Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                        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 Course

                            PLEGAL 5
                            Business Organizations

                            3 units
                            Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                            Corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, and sole proprietorships. 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 Course

                                PLEGAL 8
                                Torts/Contracts

                                3 units
                                Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                Overview of tort law and contract law doctrines. Basic tort/contract concepts and terminology including negligence, strict liability, intentional and constitutional torts, defenses and immunities, offer and acceptance, consideration, performance and discharge, contract drafting, and contract interpretation. (A, CSU)
                                Course Details:
                                1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                                  1. CSU Transfer Course

                                    PLEGAL 10
                                    Criminal Law and Procedure

                                    3 units
                                    Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                    Introduction to 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 Course

                                        PLEGAL 11
                                        Evidence

                                        3 units
                                        Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                        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 Course

                                            PLEGAL 12
                                            Bankruptcy

                                            3 units
                                            Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                            Introduction to bankruptcy law including 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 Course

                                                PLEGAL 15
                                                Debt Collection and Enforcement of Judgments

                                                3 units
                                                Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                                Emphasis on 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 Course

                                                    PLEGAL 17
                                                    Administrative Law/Workers’ Compensation

                                                    3 units
                                                    Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                                    Introduction to basic concepts of administrative law and workers’ compensation law. Emphasis 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 Course

                                                        PLEGAL 18
                                                        Employment Law

                                                        3 units
                                                        Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                                        Overview of legal relationship between employer and employee. Emphasis 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 Course

                                                            PLEGAL 20
                                                            Civil Rights and Liberties

                                                            3 units
                                                            Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                                            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 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 Course

                                                                Legal Document Processing

                                                                3 units
                                                                BT 140
                                                                Legal Document Processing
                                                                3 units
                                                                Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                                                Producing and formatting business and legal correspondence and documents using a current word processing program. Crosslisted with PLEGAL-156. (A)
                                                                Course Details:
                                                                1. Advisory: BT 1
                                                                2. Advisory: BT 28
                                                                      or
                                                                      PLEGAL 156
                                                                      Legal Document Processing
                                                                      3 units
                                                                      Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                                                      Producing and formatting business and legal correspondence and documents using a current word processing program. (A)
                                                                      Course Details:
                                                                      1. Advisory: BT 1
                                                                      2. Advisory: BT 28

                                                                            Term 3

                                                                            9 units

                                                                            BT 28
                                                                            Microsoft Word I

                                                                            1.5 units
                                                                            Effective Term: 2024 Spring Semester
                                                                            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 Course

                                                                                PLEGAL 2B
                                                                                Legal Research and Writing II

                                                                                3 units
                                                                                Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                                                                Development of advanced legal research skills using more sophisticated legal research tools. Development 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 Course

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

                                                                                    PLEGAL 6A
                                                                                    Litigation I

                                                                                    3 units
                                                                                    Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                                                                    Role of the paralegal in the litigation process. 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 Course

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

                                                                                        BT 29
                                                                                        Microsoft Word II

                                                                                        1.5 units
                                                                                        Effective Term: 2024 Spring Semester
                                                                                        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 Course

                                                                                            Term 4

                                                                                            10 units

                                                                                            PLEGAL 6B
                                                                                            Litigation II

                                                                                            3 units
                                                                                            Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                                                                            Role of the paralegal in the litigation process. 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 Course

                                                                                                PLEGAL 19
                                                                                                Work Experience Education

                                                                                                4 units
                                                                                                Effective Term: 2024 Fall Semester
                                                                                                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 Course

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

                                                                                                    Major Course

                                                                                                    3 units

                                                                                                    Select one of the following: 

                                                                                                    PLEGAL 3
                                                                                                    Family Law

                                                                                                    3 units
                                                                                                    Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                                                                                    Marriage, divorce, 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 Course

                                                                                                        PLEGAL 4
                                                                                                        Probate

                                                                                                        3 units
                                                                                                        Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                                                                                        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 Course

                                                                                                            PLEGAL 5
                                                                                                            Business Organizations

                                                                                                            3 units
                                                                                                            Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                                                                                            Corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, and sole proprietorships. 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 Course

                                                                                                                PLEGAL 8
                                                                                                                Torts/Contracts

                                                                                                                3 units
                                                                                                                Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                                                                                                Overview of tort law and contract law doctrines. Basic tort/contract concepts and terminology including negligence, strict liability, intentional and constitutional torts, defenses and immunities, offer and acceptance, consideration, performance and discharge, contract drafting, and contract interpretation. (A, CSU)
                                                                                                                Course Details:
                                                                                                                1. Prerequisite: PLEGAL 1
                                                                                                                  1. CSU Transfer Course

                                                                                                                    PLEGAL 10
                                                                                                                    Criminal Law and Procedure

                                                                                                                    3 units
                                                                                                                    Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                                                                                                    Introduction to 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 Course

                                                                                                                        PLEGAL 11
                                                                                                                        Evidence

                                                                                                                        3 units
                                                                                                                        Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                                                                                                        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 Course

                                                                                                                            PLEGAL 12
                                                                                                                            Bankruptcy

                                                                                                                            3 units
                                                                                                                            Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                                                                                                            Introduction to bankruptcy law including 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 Course

                                                                                                                                PLEGAL 15
                                                                                                                                Debt Collection and Enforcement of Judgments

                                                                                                                                3 units
                                                                                                                                Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                                                                                                                Emphasis on 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 Course

                                                                                                                                    PLEGAL 17
                                                                                                                                    Administrative Law/Workers’ Compensation

                                                                                                                                    3 units
                                                                                                                                    Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                                                                                                                    Introduction to basic concepts of administrative law and workers’ compensation law. Emphasis 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 Course

                                                                                                                                        PLEGAL 18
                                                                                                                                        Employment Law

                                                                                                                                        3 units
                                                                                                                                        Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                                                                                                                        Overview of legal relationship between employer and employee. Emphasis 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 Course

                                                                                                                                            PLEGAL 20
                                                                                                                                            Civil Rights and Liberties

                                                                                                                                            3 units
                                                                                                                                            Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                                                                                                                            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 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 Course

                                                                                                                                                Legal Document Processing

                                                                                                                                                3 units
                                                                                                                                                BT 140
                                                                                                                                                Legal Document Processing
                                                                                                                                                3 units
                                                                                                                                                Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                                                                                                                                Producing and formatting business and legal correspondence and documents using a current word processing program. Crosslisted with PLEGAL-156. (A)
                                                                                                                                                Course Details:
                                                                                                                                                1. Advisory: BT 1
                                                                                                                                                2. Advisory: BT 28
                                                                                                                                                      or
                                                                                                                                                      PLEGAL 156
                                                                                                                                                      Legal Document Processing
                                                                                                                                                      3 units
                                                                                                                                                      Effective Term: 2020 Fall Semester
                                                                                                                                                      Producing and formatting business and legal correspondence and documents using a current word processing program. (A)
                                                                                                                                                      Course Details:
                                                                                                                                                      1. Advisory: BT 1
                                                                                                                                                      2. Advisory: BT 28
                                                                                                                                                            Total: 37 units