Skip to main content

Paralegal Certificate - 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 = 36

Required Courses - Major Courses Credits Pre or Co Reqs Required Course Available Fall? Course Available Spring? Course Available Summer?
PAR 1110 - Legal Analysis 3 Yes Yes Yes No
PAR 1114 - Computers and the Law 3 Yes Yes Yes No
PAR 1115 - Introduction to 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

Required Courses - Electives Credits Pre or Co Reqs Required Course Available Fall? Course Available Spring? Course Available Summer?
Paralegal Elective (see current Catalog for requirements) 3 Yes Yes Yes Yes
Paralegal Elective (see current Catalog for requirements) 3 Yes Yes Yes Yes
Paralegal Elective (see current Catalog for requirements) 3 Yes Yes Yes Yes

Recommended Course Sequence (Full-Time Track)

Year 1 - Fall
3 Credits
Year 1 - Summer

Paralegal Elective - 3 credits

Paralegal Elective - 3 credits

Year 2 - Fall

Paralegal Elective - 3 credits

Notes

  • Course availability is subject to change. Please consult the Paralegal Department for specific course planning information and official advising. Students should use DegreeCheck (available via myACC) to monitor progress toward completion. Spring starts will have a different course sequence recommendation. Please discuss course sequencing for different start times with the Paralegal Program.
  • 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 the 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.
  • Recommended 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.
  • Refer to 2022/2023 catalog for specific requirements and important information about this certificate.