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Paralegal AAS - Academic Plan

2022-2023

Paralegals play an important role in assisting attorneys to provide affordable legal services.


ACC's American Bar Association – approved Paralegal Program provides a solid foundation of knowledge and practical experience to prepare students for this profession. While paralegals may not practice 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.


Please contact the Paralegal Program Chair or Coordinator if you have questions about the academic requirements.

Course Availability

Total Credits = 60

Required Courses - General Education Courses Credits Pre or Co Reqs Required Course Available Fall? Course Available Spring? Course Available Summer?
Arts/Humanities GT-AH1-AH4 3 No Yes Yes Yes

COM 1150 - Public Speaking* OR

COM 1250 - Interpersonal Communication

3 No Yes Yes Yes
Elective - One Additional GT Course 3 No Yes Yes Yes
ENG 1021 - English Composition I: GT-CO1* 3 Yes Yes Yes Yes
ENG 1022 - English Composition II: GT-CO2 3 Yes Yes Yes Yes
Mathematics (MAT 1240, MAT 1340, MAT 1420, MAT 1260, MAT 2410, MAT 2420, or MAT 2430) GT-MA1* 3 No Yes Yes Yes
Natural/Physical Science GT-SC1-SC2 3 No Yes Yes Yes
Social/Behavioral Science GT-SS3 3 No Yes Yes Yes

Courses Required - Major Courses Credits Pre or Co Reqs Required Course Available Fall? Course Available Spring? Course Available Summer?
Major Elective (See Notes for specific requirements) 3 Yes Yes Yes Yes
Major Elective (See Notes for specific requirements) 3 Yes Yes Yes Yes
Major Elective (See Notes for specific requirements) 3 Yes Yes Yes Yes
PAR 1110 - Legal Analysis 3 Yes Yes Yes No
PAR 1114 - Computers and the Law 3 Yes Yes Yes No
PAR 1115 - Introduction to the Law 3 No Yes Yes Yes
PAR 1116 - Torts 3 Yes Yes Yes No
PAR 1118 - Contracts 3 Yes Yes Yes No
PAR 2201 - Civil Litigation 3 Yes Yes Yes No
PAR 2211 - Legal Research 3 Yes Yes Yes No
PAR 2219 - E-Discovery and Litigation Technology 3 Yes Yes Yes No
PAR 2087 - Cooperative Education 3 Yes Yes Yes Yes

Program Outcomes

  • Apply critical thinking and analysis skills to legal situations.
  • Exhibit basic legal knowledge by locating and analyzing local laws and legal processes.
  • Develop written research assignments that focus on communicating legal research and outcomes.
  • Exemplify entry-level career preparedness in a real-world employment setting.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of professional ethics.

Recommended Course Sequence (Full-Time)

Recommended Course Sequence (Part-Time)

Year 2 - Spring
Year 2 - Summer
Major Elective

~Available Elective(s)~

Year 3 - Fall
3 Credits
Year 3 - Spring
Year 4 - Fall

Notes

  • *This course requires college level readiness as measured by Accuplacer, ACT, or SAT scores; approved high school course work that is less than five years old; or successful completion of appropriate college-readiness course.
  • AAA 1001 – College 101: Student Experience is required for all new college students seeking degrees or transfer.
  • Course availability is subject to change. Please consult the Paralegal Program for specific course planning information and official advising. Students should use DegreeCheck (available via myACC) to monitor progress toward completion.
  • In order to meet program requirements, students registered for ENG 1021 or ENG 1020 must also register for ENG 0094 unless they can demonstrate otherwise meeting the ENG 0094 standard through assessment testing, prior college coursework, or recent High School coursework. See an Advisor for details.
  • Recommended GT courses may be listed above for certain electives; consult with the Academic Advising Office (advising [at] arapahoe [dot] edu or 303.797.5664) for additional elective recommendations.
  • Paralegal Electives: Select three (3) courses from the following, PAR 1117 Family Law, PAR 1126 Administrative Law, PAR 1127 Legal Ethics, PAR 2202 Evidence, PAR 2205 Criminal Law, PAR 2207 Current Issues in the Law, PAR 2208 Probate and Estates, PAR 2215 Alternative Dispute Resolution, PAR 2216 Employment Law, PAR 2217 Environmental Law, PAR 2218 Bankruptcy Law, PAR 2219 E-Discovery and Litigation Technology, PAR 2227 Immigration Law, PAR 2228 Intellectual Property. Paralegal electives are offered on a rotating basis. Not all Paralegal electives are offered every semester. The pre-requisites for all Paralegal electives are PAR 1110 Legal Analysis and PAR 1115 Introduction to Law.
  • The Paralegal Program at ACC is ABA-approved and Paralegal course content is demanding and rigorous. The program strongly encourages that students take no more than four paralegal classes per semester.
  • Students must apply for graduation; visit www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
  • Information regarding median loan debt, completion and placement rates, occupations and tuition / fees may be found at www.arapahoe.edu/gainful.
  • Refer to 2022/2023 catalog for specific requirements and important information about this degree.