Paralegal Studies - Formerly 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: 2025 Fall Semester

Term 1

9 units

BA 20
Law and the Legal System

3 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall 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, UC)
Course Details:
  1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
    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 Paralegal Studies

    3 units
    Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
    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 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: 2025 Fall Semester
        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 Course

            Term 2

            9 units

            PLEGAL 2A
            Legal Research and Writing I

            3 units
            Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
            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 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: 2025 Fall Semester
                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. 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: 2025 Fall Semester
                    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 Course

                        PLEGAL 4
                        Probate

                        3 units
                        Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                        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 Course

                            PLEGAL 5
                            Business Organizations

                            3 units
                            Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                            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 Course

                                PLEGAL 8
                                Torts/Contracts

                                3 units
                                Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                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 Course

                                    PLEGAL 10
                                    Criminal Law and Procedure

                                    3 units
                                    Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                    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 Course

                                        PLEGAL 11
                                        Evidence

                                        3 units
                                        Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                        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 Course

                                            PLEGAL 12
                                            Bankruptcy

                                            3 units
                                            Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                            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 Course

                                                PLEGAL 15
                                                Debt Collection and Enforcement of Judgments

                                                3 units
                                                Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                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 Course

                                                    PLEGAL 17
                                                    Administrative Law/Workers’ Compensation

                                                    3 units
                                                    Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                    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 Course

                                                        PLEGAL 18
                                                        Employment Law

                                                        3 units
                                                        Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                        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 Course

                                                            PLEGAL 20
                                                            Civil Rights and Liberties

                                                            3 units
                                                            Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                            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 Course

                                                                Legal Document Processing

                                                                3 units
                                                                BT 140
                                                                Legal Document Processing
                                                                3 units
                                                                Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                This course provides students with experience in producing and formatting business and legal correspondence and documents using a current word processing program. (A)
                                                                or
                                                                PLEGAL 156
                                                                Legal Document Processing
                                                                3 units
                                                                Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                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. 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: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                          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 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: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                              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 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: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                                      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 Course

                                                                                          PLEGAL 19
                                                                                          Work Experience Education

                                                                                          4 units
                                                                                          Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                                          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 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: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                                              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 Course

                                                                                                  PLEGAL 4
                                                                                                  Probate

                                                                                                  3 units
                                                                                                  Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                                                  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 Course

                                                                                                      PLEGAL 5
                                                                                                      Business Organizations

                                                                                                      3 units
                                                                                                      Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                                                      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 Course

                                                                                                          PLEGAL 8
                                                                                                          Torts/Contracts

                                                                                                          3 units
                                                                                                          Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                                                          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 Course

                                                                                                              PLEGAL 10
                                                                                                              Criminal Law and Procedure

                                                                                                              3 units
                                                                                                              Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                                                              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 Course

                                                                                                                  PLEGAL 11
                                                                                                                  Evidence

                                                                                                                  3 units
                                                                                                                  Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                                                                  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 Course

                                                                                                                      PLEGAL 12
                                                                                                                      Bankruptcy

                                                                                                                      3 units
                                                                                                                      Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                                                                      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 Course

                                                                                                                          PLEGAL 15
                                                                                                                          Debt Collection and Enforcement of Judgments

                                                                                                                          3 units
                                                                                                                          Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                                                                          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 Course

                                                                                                                              PLEGAL 17
                                                                                                                              Administrative Law/Workers’ Compensation

                                                                                                                              3 units
                                                                                                                              Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                                                                              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 Course

                                                                                                                                  PLEGAL 18
                                                                                                                                  Employment Law

                                                                                                                                  3 units
                                                                                                                                  Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                                                                                  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 Course

                                                                                                                                      PLEGAL 20
                                                                                                                                      Civil Rights and Liberties

                                                                                                                                      3 units
                                                                                                                                      Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                                                                                      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 Course

                                                                                                                                          Legal Document Processing

                                                                                                                                          3 units
                                                                                                                                          BT 140
                                                                                                                                          Legal Document Processing
                                                                                                                                          3 units
                                                                                                                                          Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                                                                                          This course provides students with experience in producing and formatting business and legal correspondence and documents using a current word processing program. (A)
                                                                                                                                          or
                                                                                                                                          PLEGAL 156
                                                                                                                                          Legal Document Processing
                                                                                                                                          3 units
                                                                                                                                          Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                                                                                                                                          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. Advisory: BT 28
                                                                                                                                                Total: 37 units