DCCCD
New students who are entering the college for the first time should follow the version on this page.
Show me the April 4, 2017, web published version.
Show me what changed in 2017-2018.
(Associate of Applied Science Degree)
El Centro only
(Block Scheduling available on El Centro Campus)
- Students pursuing this award program are required to meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards and course prerequisites.
- Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by the college awarding the degree.
Degree Plan Code: AAS.PARALEGAL.10
The Paralegal Studies Program is an Associate of Applied Science Degree program designed to prepare the student to function as a technically qualified assistant to the lawyer.
Upon completion of the program, graduates should be able to accomplish these program goals:
- Demonstrate the ability to comprehend, apply, and evaluate information in various substantive areas of law.
- Demonstrate the ability to draft legal documents with minimum supervision.
- Demonstrate written and oral communication skills, teamwork, critical thinking, computer proficiency, and legal research relevant to their work as a paralegal.
- Demonstrate the ability to integrate legal theory and related practical applications.
- Demonstrate the ability to manage practical ethical dilemmas commonly encountered by working paralegals including how to avoid the unauthorized practice of law by non-lawyers.
| CREDIT HOURS |
FIRST YEAR
PREREQUISITE SEMESTER I
| LGLA 1301 | Legal Research and Writing | 3 |
| LGLA 1311 | Introduction to Law | 3 |
| LGLA 1313 | Introduction to Paralegal Studies | 3 |
| LGLA 1317 | Law Office Technology | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I | 3 |
| 15 |
PREREQUISITE SEMESTER II
| LGLA 1345 | Civil Litigation | 3 |
| LGLA 1351 | Contracts | 3 |
| LGLA 1353 | Wills, Trusts and Probate Administration | 3 |
| LGLA 1355 | Family Law | 3 |
| ++Elective | Math Elective | 3 |
| 15 |
SECOND YEAR
SEMESTER III
| LGLA 2303 | Torts and Personal Injury Law | 3 |
| LGLA 2311 | Business Organizations | 3 |
| SPCH 1311 | Introduction to Speech Communication OR | 3 |
| SPCH 1315 | Public Speaking | (3) |
| GOVT 2305 | Federal Government OR | 3 | GOVT 2306 | Texas Government | (3) |
| LGLA 1380 | Cooperative Education-Legal Assistant/Paralegal1 OR | 3 |
| +Elective | Paralegal Elective (one course) | (3) |
| 15 |
SEMESTER IV
| LGLA 2309 | Real Property | 3 |
| LGLA 2331 | Advanced Legal Research and Writing | 3 |
| LGLA 2380 | Cooperative Education-Legal Assistant/Paralegal1 OR | 3 |
| +Elective | Paralegal Elective (one course) | (3) |
| +++Elective | Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 |
| ++++Elective | Social/Behavioral Science | 3 |
| 15 |
| Minimum Hours Required | 60 |
NOTE: Students must complete courses in Prerequisite Semesters I and II prior to enrolling in LGLA 2331.
+Paralegal Electives - SIX credit hours must be selected from the following:
| LGLA 1300 | Elder Law | 3 |
| LGLA 1323 | Employment Law | 3 |
| LGLA 1343 | Bankruptcy | 3 |
| LGLA 1359 | Immigration Law | 3 |
| LGLA 2313 | Criminal Law and Procedure | 3 |
| LGLA 2315 | Oil and Gas Law | 3 |
| LGLA 2323 | Intellectual Property | 3 |
| LGLA 2335 | Advanced Civil Litigation | 3 |
++MATH Eleceive - must be selected from the AAS Core Options for Mathematics.
+++Humanities/Fine Arts Elective - must be selected from the AAS Core Options for Humanities/Fine Arts.
++++Social/Behavioral Science Electives - must be selected from the AAS Core Options for Social/Behavioral Science.
1 Students are required to have a paid legal position prior to the beginning of the semester. The course offers college credit for legal work experience and lectures to aid in career development or advancement.
NOTE: Students enrolling in this program who plan to transfer to a four-year institution should consult an advisor or counselor regarding transfer requirements and the transferability of these courses to the four-year institution of their choice.
