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Translate this PageWelcome to the Pasadena City College Paralegal Program!
This program is designed to develop the skills necessary to have a successful career as a paralegal while learning about various subjects in law, how to draft and write legal documents, and how the working relationship between a paralegal and lawyer functions. Our paralegal program is approved by the American Bar Association. Completion of the Paralegal Studies AS degree and certificate will equip you with the competence to work in the legal environment and find a job as a paralegal.
Start Your Career as a Paralegal at PCC
A paralegal is an individual who possesses skills, learned through education and training, which he/she then uses to assist attorneys in the practice of law. By using paralegals to assist in their practice of law, attorneys are able to help greater numbers of people with legal problems.
In the law office, paralegals act as part of the legal team representing clients in many different types of litigation and legal problems. Paralegals are also employed by corporations, banks, real estate and finance offices and the government, where they can experience an even broader range of job opportunities and challenges. In all employment venues, paralegals are highly valued for their ability to analyze, research and solve problems.
Upon completion of the PCC paralegal program, you will be able to demonstrate paralegal skills and completion of paralegal tasks including case management and an understanding of the client relationship. You will also learn oral and written communication skills necessary to be a competent paralegal as well as develop employment-ready skills to secure and maintain work in the legal environment.
Career Statistics
Costs
The costs of each class for the program is the same as any other class taken at PCC. The schedule of cost are found at Admissions & Records Fees and Tuition page. If you need assistance with paying for the classes, visit PCC's Office of Financial Aid.
Our Courses, Degree, & Certificate
Our Paralegal courses are offered in asynchronous (fully online), synchronous remote (weekly meetings via Zoom), and in-person formats. Subject to the ABA requirement that each student complete at least 3 classes (9 credits) synchronously, you may take your paralegal classes from wherever you may be, in the format that suits your needs and preferences.
In order to be eligible to receive a Certificate of Achievement in Paralegal Studies, a student must (1) be a graduate of an accredited high school, have a G.E.D, CHSPE or can demonstrate that they have the capability of performing work at the college level and (2) complete a total of 60 units. Please visit the following page to see the specific courses that must be taken and the recommended course sequence.
Degree and Certificate Info + Recommended Course Sequence
Paralegal Studies Program Policies & Outcomes
Transfer Policy
If you are a new or prospective student and you wish to request any deviation from the core course (legal specialty) requirements for the PCC Paralegal Studies Certificate of Achievement, you must submit a Request for Course Substitution form (located on the Admissions & Records Petitions page) along with supporting documents (i.e., the course description from the school catalog, and official transcripts). Please note: a maximum of two core courses may be transferred from another college.
Minimum Hours & Credits
The ABA requires that you complete a minimum of 9 Hours of synchronous instruction. The following three courses are always offered in a synchronous zoom or face to face format:
- Plgl 135 Wills, Trusts, Probate Administration
- Plgl 137 Legal Writing and Drafting
- Plgl 141 Civil and Criminal Evidence
Subject to this requirement, our Paralegal courses are offered in asynchronous (fully online), synchronous remote (weekly meetings via Zoom), and in-person formats. Our program allows you to take your paralegal classes from wherever you may be, in the format that suits your needs and preferences.
Outcomes
Upon completion of the PCC paralegal program, you will be able to demonstrate paralegal skills and completion of paralegal tasks including case management and an understanding of the client relationship. You will also learn oral and written communication skills necessary to be a competent paralegal as well as develop employment-ready skills to secure and maintain work in the legal environment.
Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.
More About Us
Since 1924 Pasadena City College, located in the heart of Pasadena, California has been educating students to become professionals in the work force. PCC is part of California's 116 community colleges, which have a total enrollment of 1.8 million students, the largest higher education system in the United States and the third largest in the world.
The Paralegal Studies Program at Pasadena City College, established in 1972, is widely known and respected by the legal community. The program has been approved by the American Bar Association continuously since 1995. While hundreds of our graduates work in law firms, businesses and the government, others utilize their paralegal education as a foundation for pre- law studies. It is the primary objective of PCC’s Paralegal Studies 2-year program to provide students with an education that will enable them to effectively assist attorneys in all phases of private and public law practice.
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