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Academic Programs and Services

Paralegal Studies

The Paralegal Studies curriculum leads to the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. This curriculum provides students with a varied and general grounding in the practical skills necessary to be a paralegal along with a strong liberal arts background. The program is suitable for students seeking either to transfer to a four-year institution in a law-related program or to enter the work force as a paralegal, particularly in small to mid-sized law firms, businesses, government, and public and private agencies. \

Community College of Philadelphia trains paralegals who must operate under the supervision of a licensed attorney and are prohibited from practicing law. This program has been approved by the American Bar Association.

Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this program graduates will be able to:

  • Work successfully as entry-level paralegals.
  • Apply ethical concepts to hypothetical examples and real-life situations.
  • Draft legal documents, conduct legal research both manually and through computer-assisted research and undertake the full scope of tasks assumed by entry-level paralegals.
  • Demonstrate legal analytical skills and legal writing skills.
  • Cultivate a supportive professional network and learn how to remain current in the legal profession.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of legal terminology in civil litigation and a variety of practice areas.
  • Demonstrate practical skills in a variety of practice areas.
  • Understand the role of technology in the modern law office and have practical experience using legal technology programs.


Program Entry Requirements:
This program is open to interested students who have demonstrated readiness for English 101 either by passing the English placement examination or by successfully completing English 098. New students are normally required to take the College’s placement tests at their time of admission.

Students who are identified as needing developmental course work must complete satisfactorily the appropriate English and mathematics courses as part of their degree program, even though certain of these courses will not count toward the degree.

Students may transfer paralegal courses from accredited degree-granting institutions with paralegal programs approved by the American Bar Association subject to the approval of the program coordinator and the Office of Student Records and Registration. Students may also petition to receive credit by examination for paralegal courses taken elsewhere.

Program of Study and Graduation Requirements:
A minimum of 60 credits, a grade of "C" or better in all Paralegal Studies courses and a grade point average of 2.0 are required for graduation. Certain courses required for graduation may be substituted with the approval of the program coordinator and the dean of Liberal Studies. Students must complete all of the paralegal courses within five academic years prior to graduation. Students whose behavior is viewed as inconsistent with professional standards may be dropped from the curriculum pending the results of a departmental hearing.

Accelerated Program:
Designed primarily for students who have already completed most or all of their general education requirements (either at the College or by transfer), the Paralegal Studies Accelerated Program sequences the ten Paralegal Studies courses required for graduation in three 10-week trimesters as follows:

Session One
(Early fall, mid-fall, spring and summer)
PLS 101 Introduction to Paralegal Studies
PLS 111 Legal Research & Writing I or PLS elective
PLS 121 Civil Litigation I

Session Two
(Fall, mid-fall, spring and summer)
PLS 115 Legal Technology
Three paralegal electives (TBA) or PLS 111 and two paralegal electives

Session Three
(Spring, summer and fall)
PLS 211 Legal Research & Writing II
PLS elective (TBA)
PLS elective (TBA)

Courses in the Accelerated Program are four hours long with some online options. Students may take courses in both the Accelerated Program and the regular semester format provided there are no conflicts.

Internship:
A legal internship is offered to students enrolled in the program who have completed at least 36 credits toward the degree and who have attained a grade point average of at least 2.5 at that time. The internship is a 3-credit course requiring the student to perform without pay at least 120 hours of paralegal tasks in a legal employment setting approved by the program coordinator. Students who receive a grade of less than "C" are ineligible to retake this course. Those students who are ineligible for or who do not select the internship will be required to take another course from the concentration courses selections.

Law Library and Computers:
The College Library maintains a complete law library which exceeds American Bar Association guidelines. Students are also exposed in class to computer-assisted legal research sources, such as online databases, the Internet and legal materials available on CD-ROM and are introduced to discipline-specific legal software in all advanced courses.

Download a printable degree description (PDF File) that includes a recommended course sequence grid.