The Paralegal Studies Certificate may be awarded to those students completing the required coursework, and that have an Associate in Science Degree, an Associate of Arts Degree, a Bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally-accredited college or university. All students with an associate degree must have their transcripts evaluated for General Education requirements as listed in the General Education requirements for the Associate in Science degree in Paralegal Studies. The Paralegal Studies Program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). An additional 9 units must be chosen from the restricted electives listed below. A minimum grade of C is required in each course taken. Students who wish to transfer course work from another ABA-approved program may be able to transfer up to six (6) restricted elective units provided the course is the same as a course offered in the Fullerton College Paralegal Studies Program and awards exactly the same number of units. Students must take at least nine semester credits, or the equivalent, of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction. This certificate requires a total of 33 units. This certificate program is designed to prepare students for employment in a paraprofessional capacity as an assistant to an attorney in private practice, in a governmental agency, or in private industry. Paralegals may perform many tasks under the supervision of a licensed attorney, including: preparing forms and pleadings; interviewing clients; researching and writing legal documents; managing a law office; and engaging in court filings, billing, or other litigation activities, including trial preparation. This program is not intended to prepare students for the practice of law.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

🗸 Apply rules of professional conduct and the ethical requirements of a paralegal as mandated by state law to resolve any issues.

🗸 Develop research and writing skills to perform substantive legal analysis on tasks that would be assigned by an attorney in any legal environment.

🗸 Analyze and evaluate the function of the branches of government; the impact of primary versus secondary legal authorities; and the categorization of sources of law in the United States to perform legal tasks associated with a client's case.

🗸 Develop sensitivity through adaptability and flexibility by working with a diverse group of people and factual client situations.

🗸 Use legal technology commonly utilized in the field of law to perform various forms of legal writing; law office management; trial preparation; legal research; and other tasks performed by paralegals.