Paralegal

Program Chair

Janet Olejar, J.D.
253.566.5053 jolejar@tacomacc.edu

TCC’s Paralegal program prepares students for employment in the legal services as specialists who will provide assistance to attorneys or other legal professionals.

Students can earn Associate in Applied Sciences degrees (Paralegal); or, if already with previously earned Associate in Arts and Sciences or bachelor’s degree, may pursue the Paralegal Pro-Certificate. Students who transfer from other paralegal programs should read TCC’s credit transfer policy at www.tacomacc.edu/paralegal. Although the Applied Sciences degree is not a transfer degree, students interested in attending law school are encouraged to take advantage of the various law courses offered in this program.

TCC’s Paralegal program is approved by the American Bar Association.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of the AAS degree in Paralegal and the Paralegal Preferred Pro-Certificate, students will:

Recognize ethical issues that arise in a legal work environment and apply rules of professional conduct to resolve them
Demonstrate oral and written skills that paralegals use on the job
Apply basic principles of legal analysis
Use computers and other technology for document production, law office management, and trial preparation
Demonstrate sensitivity through adaptability and flexibility in working with a diverse group of people
Manage multi-tasks while prioritizing them to meet deadlines

PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Assessment at college-level English and reading. A minimum ‘C’ grade or higher in each course applied to the degree.
Students must retake required courses in which they earned ‘C’ grades or lower. For elective courses in which ‘C’ grades or lower are earned, students may retake the original course or choose to earn a ‘C’ grade or higher in another elective course.

Paralegal Associate in Applied Sciences Degree Plan

(100 credits)

Note: PLST course prefix is formerly ADLJ through the end of fall quarter 2012.

Core Requirements (56 Credits)

CU 105	Word I, Excel I	5
MO 106	Professional Document Production	2
PLST 149	Writing Basics for Paralegals	3
PLST 150	Paralegal Fundamentals and Ethics	5
PLST 151	Legal Research and Writing I	5
PLST 152	Introduction to Civil Law	5
PLST 153	Civil Procedure I	5
PLST 154	Computer Applications in the Law	3
PLST 155	Health/Dealing with Stress	1
PLST 232	Interviewing and Investigation	5
PLST 233	Internship I - Paralegal	5
PLST 239	Transition Planning	1
PLST 251	Legal Research and Writing II	3
PLST 253	Civil Procedure II	3

Elective Courses (9 Credits)

Select a minimum of 9 credits from the following courses

PLST 156	Criminal Procedure for Paralegals	5
PLST 221	Family Law	3
PLST 222	Probate/Estate Planning	3
PLST 223	Alternative Dispute Resolution	3
PLST 224	Real Estate Law	3
PLST 225	Bankruptcy Law	3
PLST 226	Administrative Law	3
PLST 228	Employment and Labor Law	3
PLST 230	Business Organization/ Corporations	3
PLST 231	Contracts/Commercial Transactions	3
PLST 234	Internship II - Paralegal	5

Related Instruction Requirements (35 Credits)

ENGL& 101	English Composition I	5
CMST& 220	Public Speaking	5
BUS 110	Business Math	5
or MATH 90	Elementary Algebra
Natural Science	See note below*	5
Political Science/ History	See note below*	5
Sociology/ Psychology	See note below*	5
Multicultural Course	See note below*	5

*Any course identified as meeting the respective requirement for TCC’s Associate of Arts & Sciences degree

Paralegal Preferred Pro-Certificate

(55 credits)

To enter this certificate program, students must show evidence of completion of Associate in Arts & Sciences or a Bachelor of Arts degrees, earn a minimum ‘C’ grade or higher in all required paralegal courses, and provide evidence of meeting related study requirements.

Core Requirements (52 Credits)

CU 105	Word I, Excel I	5
MO 106	Professional Document Production	2
PLST 150	Paralegal Fundamentals and Ethics	5
PLST 151	Legal Research and Writing I	5
PLST 152	Introduction to Civil Law	5
PLST 153	Civil Procedure	5
PLST 154	Computer Applications in the Law	3
PLST 156	Criminal Procedure for Paralegals	5
PLST 232	Interviewing and Investigation	5
PLST 233	Internship I - Paralegal	5
PLST 239	Transition Planning	1
PLST 251	Legal Research and Writing II	3
PLST 253	Civil Procedure II	3

Elective Courses (3 Credits)

Select a minimum of 3 credits from the following:

PLST 221	Family Law	3
PLST 222	Probate/Estate Planning	3
PLST 223	Alternative Dispute Resolution	3
PLST 224	Real Estate Law	3
PLST 225	Bankruptcy Law	3
PLST 226	Administrative Law	3
PLST 228	Employment and Labor Law	3
PLST 230	Business Organization/Corporation	3
PLST 231	Contracts/Commercial Transactions	3
PLST 234	Internship II - Paralegal	5

Up one level:

Career Training

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