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Paralegal Studies A.A. Degree

Part Time

This program roadmap represents one possible pathway to complete the program. Please see a counselor to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs. This roadmap is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.

Catalog:
2026-27
GE Pattern:
local AA/AS
Total Units:
60
Start Term:
Fall

First Year

Semester 1 (Fall)

7 Units
CAT. COURSE UNIT Prerequisites GE AREA
GE
ENGL C1000 ABA
College Composition or
3
L1A
ENGL C1000H H, ABA
Honors College Composition
3
GE
STAT C1000 ABA
Introduction to Probability and Statistics or
4
L2
STAT C1000H H, ABA
Introduction to Probability and Statistics - Honors
4

Semester 2 (Spring)

10 Units
CAT. COURSE UNIT Prerequisites GE AREA
Req
PLGL 300
Introduction to Law and the American Legal System
3
ENGL C1000 or C1000H or ESLW 340
GE
POLS C1000 ABA
Introduction to Government: United States or
3
L4
POLS C1000H H, ABA
Introduction to Government: United States - Honors
3
GE
ENGL C1003 ABA
Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking Through Literature
4
ENGL C1000 or C1000H
L1B

Second Year

Semester 3 (Fall)

9 Units
CAT. COURSE UNIT Prerequisites GE AREA
Req
PLGL 320
Legal Research
3
Req
PLGL 350
Law Office Management
3
GE
any Area L6 (Ethnic Studies) course
3
L6

Semester 4 (Spring)

9 Units
CAT. COURSE UNIT Prerequisites GE AREA
Req
PLGL 310
Civil Procedures and Litigation
3
Req
PLGL 321
Legal Writing
3
PLGL 320
GE
PHIL 310 ABA
Introduction to Ethics
3
L3

Third Year

Semester 5 (Fall)

6 Units
CAT. COURSE UNIT Prerequisites GE AREA
Req
PLGL 312
Torts and Personal Injury
3
GE
ANTH 300 ABA
Biological Anthropology or
3
L5
ANTH 480 H, ABA
Honors Biological Anthropology
3

Semester 6 (Spring)

6 Units
CAT. COURSE UNIT Prerequisites GE AREA
Req
PLGL 314
Contract Law
3
RE
PLGL 334
Criminal Law and Procedure
3
PLGL 300

Fourth Year

Semester 7 (Fall)

7 Units
CAT. COURSE UNIT Prerequisites GE AREA
RE
PLGL 342
Evidence
3
PLGL 300
Elec
any elective course
3
Elec
any elective course
1

Semester 8 (Spring)

6 Units
CAT. COURSE UNIT Prerequisites GE AREA
RE
PLGL 362
Estate Planning and Probate Procedure
3
PLGL 300
Elec
any elective course
3

ABA courses that meet the ABA Breadth requirements for this degree

H honors courses

Explanation of Categories
GE General Education A course that fulfills a specific general education requirement for a degree, which can be replaced with another course that meets the same requirement
Req Required Core A course that is required for this program
RE Restricted Elective A course selected from a list of elective courses specified for this program in the course list in the catalog, which can be replaced with another course from the same list
Elec Degree Elective A degree-applicable course that is part of a degree roadmap to ensure that there is a total of at least 60 units, which is a requirement for an associate degree

Career path

Career Options:

Paralegals find employment in both state and federal government as well as private practice and corporate settings.

Advising Notes:

  • This degree can be completed using either the local AA/AS general education (GE) pattern or the Cal-GETC transfer GE pattern. See a counselor to determine which pattern is best for you based on your academic goals.
  • Students in majors (like this one) with 45 units or more of required coursework are exempt from the Area L7 general education requirement, so it is not included in this map.  If you change your major you may be required to complete the L7 requirement.
  • Students can substitute ESLW 340 for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly known as ENGWR 300/480).
  • Elective Courses: any elective courses numbered 100-499, or having a 4-digit number starting with C.

Scheduling Notes:

  • PLGL 300 is offered in the fall, spring, and summer.
  • PLGL 310, 312, 314, and 350 are offered in the fall and spring.
  • PLGL 320 is offered in the fall regularly, and in the spring and summer occasionally.
  • PLGL 321 is offered in the spring regularly, and in the fall and summer occasionally.
  • PLGL 330, 332, 336, and 342 are offered in the fall.
  • PLGL 334, 360, 362, and 365 are offered in the spring.
  • This program can be started in spring and summer as well. See a counselor to adjust the coursework.

Other Notes:

  • The American Bar Association (ABA) has specific requirements for 18 units of additional non-legal-assisting coursework (ABA Breadth). See the Legal Assisting website for more information.
  • An internship (PLGL 498) is highly recommended as it opens up potential employment opportunities. Students can earn between 0.5 – 4.0 units for related paid or unpaid work experience including volunteer and internship positions through PLGL 498. See the Work Experience website for more information.

Published June 12, 2026

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