Paralegal Studies
16 courses · Victor Valley College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
PAL 100 Introduction to Law and Paralegal Studies
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course includes an overview of the legal system including the courts, the participants and various sources of law in the American legal system. Review of the legal and judicial process in the United States covering the adversarial system, jurisdiction of federal and state courts, and the general process of judicial review. Explanation of different sources of law including statutes, court cases and administrative agency rules. Review of basic legal reasoning and introductory legal research methods. Examination of legal ethics. Introduction to substantive areas of law and the effect the law has in various groups and individuals in our system.
PAL 101 Law Office Technology for Paralegals
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Corequisite
- PAL 100
- Transfers to
- CSU
This class introduces the students to the legal industry technology utilized in the current legal environment. Skills developed include document creation and assembly, spreadsheet software, and data and case management. Students will gain an understanding of the growing and critical role of electronic discovery in litigation, including electronic discovery rules of law, workflow and processes, and the production of electronically stored information. Students will be introduced to litigation support and case management software, and introduction to paperless presentation tools used in today's courtrooms. .
PAL 102 Beginning Legal Research for Paralegals
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Corequisite
- PAL 100
- Transfers to
- CSU
Equips the student with the research methods needed as a paralegal to locate sources of federal and state law. Topics include legal terminology; proper citation form; sources of primary and secondary law; statutes and legislative history; court reports; validating legal research; and a thorough overview of computer legal research. Explore the array of legal research tools available, and gain hands-on experience you need to locate and apply the law effectively on the job through outside assignments and practice in the library.
PAL 103 Beginning Legal Writing
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Corequisite
- PAL 102
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides the Paralegal student with the development of good legal writing skills. Critical analysis of proper legal writing forms stressing logic, clarity and format will be used to shape the Paralegal student's ability to produce such legal documents as correspondence, legal briefs, memorandum of law, and common pleadings.
PAL 104 Legal Ethics for Paralegals
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course examines the role of the paralegal in the rendering of legal services by attorneys to clients and the ethical rules that govern that relationship. The student will become familiar with the concept of the unauthorized practice of law, the criminal penalties such practices carry and the best means to avoid liability.
PAL 0138 Noncredit Work Experience Education Paralegal
- Units
- 0
Work Experience Education is a key element of Victor Valley College's comprehensive approach to career development. This is a non-credit course which helps students gain valuable on-the-job work experience while providing practical education, best practices in professional development, and academic guidance through the course of their work opportunity. The combination of practical experience and curricular development empowers students to be more competitive, efficient and valuable employees upon completion of this program and/or their academic program trajectory. Students may utilize their present work sites.
PAL 138 Work Experience Education Paralegal
- Units
- 1-8
- Transfers to
- CSU
Work Experience Education is a key element of Victor Valley College's comprehensive approach to career development. Work Experience Education is a 16-, 12-, or 8-week course that enables students to receive college credit for paid or unpaid work opportunities. This course helps students gain valuable on-the-job work experience while providing practical education, best practices in professional development, and academic guidance through the course of their work opportunity. The combination of practical experience and curricular development empowers students to be more competitive, efficient and valuable employees upon completion of this program and/or their academic program trajectory. The course is ideal for students who are cross-training at their current worksite for upward mobility or seeking career changes, as well as those looking for entry-level occupational training through work-based learning experiences such as through an internship. Work Experience Education transforms community businesses, industries, and public agencies into expanded educational training laboratories. Credit is awarded on the basis of learning objectives completed and the number of hours the student trains. Students must create/complete new learning objectives each semester they enroll. Students may utilize their present work sites. More details are available in the Work Experience Education Office, (760) 245-4271, ext. 2281.The office, located in the Academic Commons, is open Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., 2:00-6:00 p.m., and by appointment. Please refer to the Work Experience Education section in this catalog for more information.
PAL 200 Law Office Management for Paralegals
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduction to the role of the paralegal in law office management and practice procedures, including managerial challenges in a legal environment, office activities, policies, and role of the office administrator, comprehensive understanding of financial resources, human resources, risk management, and supervision unique to the legal environment. .
PAL 201 Fundamentals of Litigation for Paralegals
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Prerequisite
- PAL 103, Minimum grade C
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course will focus on the litigation process that begins with a client interview, extends through the filing of a lawsuit, develops in the discovery stage, takes final shape in the trial stage and ends in enforcement of a judgement or an appeal.
PAL 202 Family Law
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Corequisite
- PAL 201
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course examines family law for the paralegal working in California. Concepts covered include marital contracts, annulment, separation, dissolution, child custody and support, spousal support, property division and tax consequences of each.
PAL 203 Tort Law for Paralegals
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Corequisite
- PAL 201
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course introduces the paralegal to the basic concepts of tort law including negligence, intentional torts, and strict liability. Introduces the student to investigative procedures in personal injury cases.
PAL 204 Wills and Trusts for Paralegals
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Prerequisite
- PAL 201, Minimum grade C
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course introduces the Paralegal student to the laws of Wills, Trusts and Estates, including the creation of wills, testate succession, intestate succession, trust creation and arrangements, family protection, estate planning, probate courts, and estate taxes.
PAL 205 Basic Bankruptcy Law for Paralegals
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Prerequisite
- PAL 201, Minimum grade C
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is an introduction to the Federal Bankruptcy law, with emphasis on Chapter 7 Bankruptcies, and discussions and introduction to Chapter 11 and 13 proceedings.
PAL 206 California Employment and Labor Law
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides students with a understanding of employment and labor related law and its impact on the employer/employee relationship. The student will study applicable federal and state laws applicable to the employer/employee relationship. Areas covered include common law and statutory employer/employee relationships, pre- employment concerns, legal aspects of the employment relationship, discrimination issues, discrimination actions, termination of the employer/ employee relationship, the collective bargaining process, employee unions, union certification and de-certification and ethical issues. .
PAL 207 Conflict Resolutions and Negotiations
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course builds knowledge and skill base for applying practical and effective conflict resolution practices and techniques regarding the use of alternative solutions to explore the changing climate of litigation-oriented practices, including ethical considerations. .
PAL 208 Immigration Law for Paralegals
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
Immigration Law for Paralegals offers the student a thorough, accessible, and practical approach to understanding and putting to use U.S. laws and regulations to applied immigration practice. This course surveys immigration in the United States and how the paralegal supports the attorney including interviewing, gathering information, case management and document preparation techniques; analysis of temporary and permanent employment visas; analysis of family-based petitions, political asylum and naturalization. Enforcement and deportation process and procedure for proceedings will be reviewed. Also covered will be representation before Department of Homeland Security agencies. .