Program Title
Paralegal Studies
TOPs Code
Paralegal (140200)
Projected Start Date
2018-08-13
Program Description
The Paralegal Studies certificate program is intended to prepare students for employment as paralegals in various legal sectors.
The American Bar Association (ABA) By-Laws, Section 21.12 uses the terms "paralegal" and "legal assistant" interchangeably referring to persons who, although not members of the legal profession, are qualified through education, training, or work experience, and are employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, governmental agency, or other entity in a capacity or function which involves the performance under the direction and supervision of an attorney, of specifically delegated substantive legal work.
The Paralegal Studies certificate program emphasizes practical application and the development of up-to-date paralegal related job skills in addition to teaching legal theory. The program is designed to enhance the ability of students to reason, understand and apply correct principles of law by teaching analytical and critical thinking skills. Graduates of the program will possess skills to enter
the paralegal profession. It also allows those already in the paralegal line of work to improve their understanding of the paralegal profession.
California State statute requires all paralegals to be certified by an accredited educational institution. Chaffey College’s Paralegal Studies certificate program meets and exceeds such mandates because Chaffey College is approved by the California Department of Education and the Western Association for Schools and Colleges, and the certificate is awarded to students who have successfully completed 27 semester units in law-related courses. Chaffey College’s Paralegal Studies certificate program also
exceeds the American Bar Association’s guideline for paralegal educational requirement.
Enrollment Completer Projections
Certificates 18-29 units:
2014-2015 -
2015-2016 -