CCSF Catalog Paralegal/Legal Studies Curricula

Paralegal/Legal Studies

Degree Curriculum

The work of the paralegal has been recognized by the American Bar Association, state bars, and local bar associations as an important step in helping the legal profession meet the increasing demand for its services and in providing these services more efficiently and promptly. Today's law offices seek paralegals qualified to do certain work under the supervision of an attorney.

Associate in Arts Degree and Major.
City College of San Francisco trains students in a two-year course of study in Paralegal/Legal Studies. The course of study is designed so that students may satisfy the requirements for graduation from the College. Students who satisfy these requirements and complete the required courses with the average final grade of C (2.00 grade point average) or higher receive the degree of Associate in Arts with a Major in Paralegal/Legal Studies. Students will also be eligible to receive a Certificate of Achievement provided that they complete all courses in the Paralegal/Legal Studies Program with a letter grade of C or higher.

Admission. Enrollment is open to all students who are admitted to City College of San Francisco and who have satisfied the prerequisites listed next to each course before enrolling in that course.

Course of Study. The course of study includes instruction in the following: introduction to paralegal studies; civil litigation; commercial law; tort law; wills, trusts, and probate administration; family law; civil and criminal evidence; legal research and writing; law office management and procedures; real estate law; environmental law; labor law; medical law; debtors' rights and creditors' remedies; corporate law; intellectual property law; immigration law; communication law; and work experience.

Employment. Those who complete the curriculum satisfactorily are qualified for employment as paralegals in law offices, government offices, and other businesses.

Courses Required for the Degree and Major in Paralegal/Legal Studies

First Semester

Course                                                           Units
PLS 1 Intro to Paralegal Studies (formerly L A 51) ............... 3
PLS 2 Legal Research and Writing I (formerly L A 52) ............. 3
CLW 18 Commercial Law ............................................ 3
Additional general education requirements for the Associate of Arts degree

Second Semester

Course                                                           Units
PLS 3 Legal Research & Writing II (formerly L A 75) .............. 3
PLS 4 Litigation I (formerly L A 71).............................. 3
CLW 19 Commercial Law ............................................ 3
Additional general education requirements for the Associate of Arts degree

Third Semester

Course                                                           Units
PLS 5 Litigation II (formerly L A 72) ............................ 3
Two Program Electives from the Paralegal/Legal Studies Program ... 6
Additional general education requirements for the Associate of Arts degree

Fourth Semester

Course                                                           Units
PLS 6 Law Office Management & Procedures (formerly L A 80) ....... 3
Two Program Electives from the Paralegal/Legal Studies Program.... 6
Additional general education requirements for the Associate of Arts degree

   Total Units ................................................. 36

Students entering the degree program must achieve a satisfactory score on the City College English placement examination (i.e., eligible for ENGL 1A) or must complete BSEN 70 or ENGL 96 with a final grade of C or higher.

Paralegal/Legal Studies Program Electives: PLS 7 (formerly L A 54), PLS 8 (formerly L A 55), PLS 9 (formerly L A 60), PLS 10 (formerly L A 61), PLS 11 (formerly L A 64), PLS 12 (formerly L A 65), PLS 13 (formerly L A 66), PLS 14 (formerly L A 67), PLS 15 (formerly L A 68), PLS 16 (formerly L A 97), PLS 17 (formerly L A 69), PLS 18 (formerly L A 98), PLS 19 (formerly L A 99); Also allowed are LBCS 72; ADMJ 53; and RE 185

Recommended courses to satisfy general education graduation requirements: LIBR 58A, MABS 60, and PSYC 26 .

Certificate Curriculum

The program of study for the Certificate of Achievement in Paralegal/Legal Studies complies with the requirements established under current California law to become a paralegal. The program is designed to prepare students for employment as paralegals.

Admission. Enrollment is open to all interested students who already hold a college degree OR who have completed 30 units of general education or law-related courses with a 2.00 grade point average or higher at an accredited, post-secondary school upon admission into our paralegal program. Students transferring coursework completed at another school must furnish an official transcript.

Courses Required for the Certificate of Achievement in Paralegal/Legal Studies

Each course must be completed with a letter grade of C or higher. The following is the sequence for required courses:

First Semester

Course                                                           units
PLS 1 Introduction to Paralegal Studies (formerly L A 51) ........ 3
PLS 2 Legal Research and Writing I (formerly L A 52).............. 3
CLW 18 Commercial Law ............................................ 3

Second Semester

Course                                                           units
PLS 3 Legal Research and Writing II (formerly L A 75) ............ 3
PLS 4 Litigation I (formerly L A 71) ............................. 3
CLW 19 Commercial Law ............................................ 3

Third Semester

PLS 5 Litigation II (formerly L A 72) ............................ 3
One Program Elective from the Paralegal/Legal Studies ............ 3

Fourth Semester

PLS 6 Law Office Management and Procedures (formerly L A 80) ..... 3
One Program Elective from the Paralegal/Legal Studies Program .... 3
    Total Units ................................................. 30

Students entering the certificate program must achieve a satisfatctory score on the City College placement examination
(i.e., eligible for ENGL 1A ) or must complete BSEN 70 or ENGL 96 with a final grade of C or higher.

Please note that a minimum of two electives from the Paralegal/Legal Studies Program must also be completed. The following is a list of the accepted electives: PLS 7 (formerly L A 54), PLS 8 (formerly L A 55), PLS 9 (formerly L A 60), PLS 10 (formerly L A 61), PLS 11 (formerly L A 64), PLS 12 (formerly L A 65), PLS 13 (formerly L A 66), PLS 14 (formerly L A 67), PLS 15 (formerly L A 68), PLS 16 (formerly L A 97), PLS 17 (formerly L A 69), PLS 18 (formerly L A 98), and PLS 19 (formerly L A 99); Also allowed are LBCS 72; ADMJ 53; and RE 185.