Paralegal
Degree and Certificate Requirements
2009-2010 Catalog

Associate of Applied Science Degree

The goals for this American Bar Association-approved program are to train students to become paralegals in order to permit them to assist attorneys in effectively delivering legal services and to educate students in a way that will permit them to advance the paralegal profession and to maintain high ethical standards.

ABA Approval
While paralegals may not practice law, they work under the supervision of attorneys in private law firms or businesses, as well as many government agencies. Tasks performed by paralegals include interviewing, investigation, research, preparing legal forms, assisting attorneys in court and other activities.

The Paralegal Program has been approved by the American Bar Association for over 30 years. The approval process ensures that the program complies with the high academic standards of the American Bar Association. If you have questions about the approval process, the American Bar Association may be reached at 321 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60610, 312.988.5000.

Academic Requirements
Students in the A.A.S. degree program should have an ACCUPLACER sentence skills score of 95+ and an ACCUPLACER reading score of 80+ to successfully complete PAR courses. Department approval is required in order to transfer in paralegal class credit from other institutions; course may be transferred to the program ONLY if they were taken from an ABA-approved program at an accredited institution, and outof- state courses may only be transferred in if the law content is not state specific. At least twenty seven (27) hours of paralegal (PAR) courses must be taken at Arapahoe Community College.

All major, general education and other courses required for this degree must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. The paralegal department expects all students in the paralegal program to abide by the code of ethics promulgated by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). The code of ethics may be viewed at www.nala.org.

To graduate, students must complete an exit interview and apply for graduation. Paralegal (PAR) courses must be taken within 6 years of a student’s graduation. General education courses are not subject to this 6 year requirement. Please see the Paralegal Program Coordinator if you have any questions about these academic requirements.

Students should take PAR 110 and PAR 115 in their first semester of study, and should take fundamental classes (PAR 110, 114, 115, 116, 118 and 125) prior to taking advanced classes (PAR 201, 206, 211 and 289).

*This course is strongly recommended for students without prior legal experience.
** Course has one or more prerequisites

Paralegal Certificate
Degree and Certificate Requirements
2009-2010 Catalog

Admission Requirement:

A two-year Associate of Arts, Associate of Science or Associate of General Studies degree or a four-year degree from an accredited college or university, OR five years of law-related work experience. An official transcript must be on file in Admissions and Records prior to the release of the paralegal certificate for students who have a degree. If seeking admission based on five years of law-related experience, supporting documentation must be submitted to the Department Chair and the student must be formally admitted to the program by letter of acceptance.

The goals for this American Bar Association-approved program are:

1. To train students to become paralegals, in order to permit them to assist attorneys in effectively delivering legal services.
2. To educate students in a way that will permit them to advance the paralegal profession and to maintain high ethical standards.

While paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law, they work under the supervision of attorneys in private law firms or businesses, as well as in many government agencies. Tasks performed by paralegals include interviewing, investigation, research, preparing legal forms, assisting attorneys in court and other activities. If you have questions, contact the Program Coordinator at 303.797.5878.

The paralegal program is approved by the American Bar Association. The American Bar Association may be reached at 321 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60610, 312.988.5000. Paralegal (PAR) courses from other institutions may be transferred to the program ONLY if they were taken from an ABA-approved program and approved by the paralegal department chair.

Students should take PAR 110 and PAR 115 in their first semester of study.

All major, general education and other courses required for this degree must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to meet graduation requirements. To graduate, students must complete an exit interview and apply for graduation. Paralegal courses must be taken within six years of a student’s graduation.

Course Descriptions | Degree Requirements