Law

VVC is proud to feature pathways that offer our students access to law careers. We not only boast a Paralegal Studies program, but we also facilitate transfer to universities and, ultimately, law schools. There is no single “prelaw” major. Research has revealed that success in law school is based more on one’s ability to grasp and solve difficult intellectual problems, and to employ disciplined work habits, than to study a particular major. In choosing a major, one should follow a course of study that will afford them a broad cultural background and include intensive research. Law schools accept any major.

Most American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law schools in California require an excellent grade point average within a bachelor’s degree, as well as high scores on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) for entrance into an intensive three-year program. Some law schools require only an associate degree for admission. Students who complete law school earn the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and can then practice law in the state of California upon passing the California Bar Examination.

Faculty

Pathway to Law School Program

Victor Valley College has an exciting new program designed to facilitate a student’s journey through higher education toward the legal profession, including a guided pathway to law school. This program is a product of the collaboration between the California State Bar Coalition for Access and Fairness and the California Community College Chancellor’s office administered by California Law Inc.

It is known as a 2+2+3 program that guides the student every step of the way through their educational journey. Participating universities and law school institutions include UC Los Angeles, USC, UC Irvine, UC Davis, UC Berkeley, Loyola Marymount, University of San Francisco, Pepperdine University, Chapman University, and Santa Clara University. Benefits of program participation include special recognition on transfer transcripts, potential waiver of application fees at each institution, and the designated mentoring provided by faculty champions at VVC. VVC is the 30th community college admitted to this program and is very proud to offer this program, beginning with the 2018-2019 academic year.

An application to the Pathway to Law School Program is required. Students participating in the program must earn an associate’s degree and meet all university transfer admission requirements. Participation in this program does not guarantee admission to any partner schools or schools of law. Students are encouraged to meet with a VVC counselor for associate degree and transfer educational planning. The Graduation and Transfer section of this catalog also provides useful information.

Pathway to Law School Program Director: Lynne Glickstein, Esq.

Lynne.glickstein@vvc.edu

(760) 245-4271 ext. 2491

Pathway to Law Certificate of Achievement

State Control Number: 37010
Program Code: PATHLAW.CERT
Approved for Federal Financial Aid: No

The Pathway to Law School program was designed as a collaboration between the California State Bar and the California Chancellors office offering a diverse student population opportunities to advance their careers in the legal profession. The curriculum is defined as a set of California Community College courses already approved in corresponding Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) areas in order to prepare students for law school and the legal profession prior to transfer. These courses will teach the necessary critical thinking and analytical skills for success in a law related occupation or career. Certificates awarded will identify the student as a LAW SCHOLAR for both career training and transfer to a four year participating institution. This program is designed as a 2+2+3 program with 10 participating universities, Santa Clara University, Loyola-Marymount Los Angeles University, University of Southern California, UCLA, UC Irvine, UC Davis, University of San Francisco, Chapman University, Pepperdine University, and UC Berkeley.

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Required Courses
CMST 104	Argumentation and Oral Debate	3.0
or CMST 109	Public Speaking
ENGL 101.0	English Composition and Reading	4.0
or ENGL 101H	Honors Composition and Reading
GUID 50	College Success	1.0
PAL 100	Introduction to Law and Paralegal Studies	3.0
or LAW 100	Introduction to Law & Paralegal Studies
POLS 102	Introduction to American Government And Politics	3.0
POLS 138	Cooperative Education Political Science	1.0-8.0
Complete one course from the following:		3.0
PHIL 109	Introduction to Logic
ENGL 104	Critical Thinking & Composition
PHIL/RLST 207	Introduction to Critical Thinking
Complete one course from the following:		3.0-5.0
MATH 120	Introduction to Statistics
or MATH 120H
or MATH 120S	Introduction to Statistics With Skills Support
or PSYC 215	Introduction to Statistics in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Complete one course from the following:		3.0
HIST 117/117H	History of U.S to 1876
HIST 118/H118	History of U.S From 1876
HIST 155	Women in U.S. History
Total Units		24-33

Law Courses

Program Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) are statements of the kind of learning a program hopes a student will achieve. The PLOs describe the knowledge, skills, problem-solving, communication and values that apply to all certificates and/or degrees within that program. 

Upon completion of this program, students should be able to:

1. Understand and employ critical thinking skills leading to an ability to analyze, criticize, and advocate ideas.
2. To reason inductively and deductively and to identify the assumptions upon which particular conclusions depend.
3. Communicate effectively using both written and oral skills, synthesizing information to distinguish between fact from judgment.