Electronic Discovery Proficiency Certificate

The Electronic Discovery Proficiency Certificate is designed to enhance the skills of paralegals in the field of electronic discovery.

Due to an increased use in computers and digital devices, an estimated 80% of legal documents are kept entirely in digital form. Over the past decade, a body of case law has emerged to regulate electronic discovery ("ediscovery"), or the practice of exchanging electronically stored information, during litigation. This practice area deals specifically with the ediscovery process and the attendant identification, collection, processing and review of electronically stored information.

This certificate builds upon the Paralegal Studies and Digital Forensics programs offered at the College, since the emerging ediscovery field requires training in both of these areas in order for paralegals to have a complete understanding of the ediscovery lifecycle. Digital forensics provides insight on the early stages of the ediscovery lifecycle, while the Paralegal Studies Program provides instruction on the remaining stages.

Please note that this certificate is not a program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) because it does not meet the ABA minimum of eighteen semester hours of legal specialty courses, among other requirements and does not prepare students to work as paralegals. If students are interested in a Community College of Philadelphia ABA-approved program, please refer to the Paralegal Studies degree program or the Paralegal Studies post-degree proficiency certificate.

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Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants – est. salary $58,190
Paralegal and Legal Assistant – est. salary $60,540*

 

 

**EMSI Data, 2022; The greater Philadelphia region; a percentage of people in these jobs may have a bachelor's degree or higher.



Courses and Completion Sequence

The following courses and sequence of courses is designed for the optimal success and completion of the Electronic Discovery Proficiency Certificate degree/certificate. Any alterations should be discussed with your academic advisor.
Course Number and Name Prerequisites Credits
PLS 101 - Intro to Paralegal Studies   3 credits
PLS 111 - Legal Research and Writing I PLS 101, which may be taken concurrently 3 credits
PLS 121 - Civil Litigation I PLS 101, which may be taken concurrently 3 credits
PLS 115 - Legal Technology PLS 101, which may be taken concurrently 3 credits
DF 101 - Introduction to Digital Forensics  JUS 101 or PLS 101 3 credits
PLS 215 - Electronic Discovery  PLS 121 3 credits

General Education Requirements:

All general education requirements necessary for graduation are met through the courses in the program as indicated above. Students who wish to take courses that differ from the general education courses indicated above must complete a course substitution request form. To access the form, login to the MyCCP portal, and in the Student tab, under Electronic Forms, click on the Records and Registration Forms link, then choose Request For Course Substitution Of Graduation Requirement link. A more detailed explanation of the College's general education requirements is also available.

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