Paralegal Studies

A Career Where You Can Help Others

 

Southwestern College offers the following American Bar Association (ABA) approved programs: Paralegal Studies Associate’s Degree, Paralegal Studies Associate’s Degree-Bilingual, Paralegal Studies Certificate of Achievement, and Paralegal Studies-Bilingual Certificate of Achievement. These programs are approved to be completed online. Students are required to take a minimum of nine semester credits of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction (which includes courses completed through synchronous videoconferencing format). The department ensures compliance with this requirement through the scheduling process.

Southwestern College paralegal graduates work in a variety of legal settings in the greater San Diego area as well as in our local Chula Vista and South Bay service areas. Our graduates also work in courthouses, government offices, and in the private and public sectors throughout the county.

Program Awards

Our Paralegal Studies programs are included in the Business field of study and offer these awards:

Award	Location	Estimated Completion
Associate in Science Degree: Paralegal Studies	Chula Vista	4 Semesters
Associate in Science Degree: Paralegal Studies - Bilingual	Chula Vista	5 Semesters
Certificate of Achievement: Paralegal Studies	Chula Vista	2 Semesters
Certificate of Achievement: Paralegal Studies - Bilingual	Chula Vista	3 Semesters

Paralegal Program Goals:

· Prepare students for employment in the legal field as paralegals and in administrative positions where a knowledge of the legal system is utilized.

· Educate its students to perform effectively in a variety of legal settings, including, but not limited to those in our local service area, and to adapt to changes in the legal environment.

Paralegal Studies Program Objectives:

· Apply legal research, analytical, written, and oral communication skills in the legal setting.

· Understand and uphold the ethical and professional rules for paralegals.

· Understand California’s rules and regulations for the paralegal profession.

· Gain familiarity with relevant computer software and online resources commonly used in law offices.

· Understand the basic concepts of procedural and substantive law.

· Understand the basic concepts of state and federal court systems.

Common Careers

The American Bar Association defines “paralegal” as a person, qualified by education, training, or work experience who is employed or retained by an attorney, law firm, corporation, governmental agency or other entity who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work under the direction and supervision of a practicing licensed attorney.

A paralegal’s responsibilities are broad and varied which can include preparing and interpreting legal documents, interviewing clients, performing legal research, preparing for trial, and organizing and managing documentation. Paralegals often work with attorneys in specialized areas of law such as immigration, family law, personal injury, contracts, wills, trusts, and probate.

Paralegals are trained professionals who work under the supervision of licensed attorneys. Paralegals are not lawyers and are not permitted to engage in the practice of law by accepting cases, giving legal advice, appearing in court, or setting fees for clients. To do so would be a crime in the state of California. Paralegals are also known as Legal Assistant and are regulated by California law under the Business and Profession Code § 6450.