# Paralegal Studies (Associate of Arts)

El Camino College · 2026-2027 Catalog · Department: Paralegal Studies

Source: http://catalog.elcamino.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=13&poid=3635

**Business Division**
www.elcamino.edu/academics/divisions/business/

The paralegal studies program is designed to train students to assist lawyers in private firms, legal departments of companies, or governmental agencies. Upon successful completion of the program requirements, the student will have the ability to apply theories and principles of law to prepare and interpret legal documents, draft pleadings including court forms, prepare for litigation, and apply legal ethics and case management techniques in a legal environment. Students will also develop skills for client interaction and legal research, including on-line legal research. Competency will be assessed regularly by examinations and assignments. This program is approved by the American Bar Association.

## General Information

This program does not prepare students for law school or the practice of law. "No person shall practice law in this state unless he/she is an active member of the State Bar." Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code, § 6125.

## Program Prerequisite

Entrance to the program is gained by successful completion of LAW 11, Introduction to Legal Research.

## Major Requirements

The American Bar Association has specific course requirements for 18 units of general education. All students in this program must consult a counselor for courses that satisfy the 18 units of general education.

For Gainful Employment program information, please visit  www.elcamino.edu/academics/areas-of-study/paralegal-studies.php.

### Required Core: 21-22 units

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PARA 1 | Introduction to Paralegal Studies | 3 |
| LAW 4 | Legal Environment of Business | 4 |
| or LAW 5 | Business Law | 3 |
| LAW 11 | Introduction to Legal Research | 3 |
| LAW 16 | Civil Procedure | 3 |
| LAW 17 | Legal Research and Writing | 3 |
| LAW 19 | Introduction to Legal Technology | 3 |
| LAW 20 | Paralegal Seminar | 3 |

### 12-13 units from:

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| LAW 12 | Probate Procedures | 3 |
| LAW 13 | Family Law | 3 |
| LAW 14 | Tort Law | 3 |
| LAW 15 | Civil and Criminal Evidence | 3 |
| LAW 18 | Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning | 3 |
| LAW 95 | Cooperative Work Experience Education | 2-4 |
| RE 12A | Legal Aspects of Real Estate | 3 |

**Total Major Units: 33-35**

### In-Residence Requirements

#### A total of 15 units of Legal Specialty courses including:

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| LAW 11 | Introduction to Legal Research | 3 |
| LAW 17 | Legal Research and Writing | 3 |
| LAW 20 | Paralegal Seminar | 3 |

#### And six additional units selected from:

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| LAW 12 | Probate Procedures | 3 |
| LAW 13 | Family Law | 3 |
| LAW 14 | Tort Law | 3 |
| LAW 15 | Civil and Criminal Evidence | 3 |
| LAW 16 | Civil Procedure | 3 |
| LAW 18 | Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning | 3 |
| LAW 19 | Introduction to Legal Technology | 3 |
| **must be taken at El Camino College for the degree.** | |  |

### GE Patterns

Complete one of the following:

#### ECC GE: 24 units

Required for local degrees (AA and AS).

#### Cal-GETC: 34 units

Required for transfer degrees (AA-T and AS-T).

### Electives

As needed to reach a minimum of 60 degree-applicable units.

**Minimum Degree Total: 60 units**