State Control Number: 40656
Program Code: PAL.APS.CA
Program Length: 10 months
Approved for Federal Financial Aid: Yes
A paralegal works in a paraprofessional capacity as an assistant to an attorney in a private law firm, govern-mental agency industry, private association or as a legal document assistant governed by California Business and Professions code 6400, et seq. The paralegal performs many tasks normally handled by an attorney, such as preparing forms, writing memorandum, interviewing clients, researching legal matters, managing the law office, and a variety of other tasks. There are also self-employed paraprofessionals who work for attorneys on request.
VVC offers an Advanced Paralegal Certificate for VVC graduates earning their certificate before 2017. New legal specialty courses are available to add to the prior certificate award.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Complete all of the following with a C or better | ||
| PAL 101 | Law Office Technology for Paralegals | 3.0 |
| PAL 200 | Law Office Management for Paralegals | 3.0 |
| PAL 204 | Wills and Trusts for Paralegals | 3.0 |
| PAL 205 | Basic Bankruptcy Law for Paralegals | 3.0 |
| Complete 6 units from the following: | 6.0 | |
| Human Relations in Business | ||
| Business Law | ||
| Legal Aspects of Real Estate I | ||
| California Employment and Labor Law | ||
| Conflict Resolutions and Negotiations | ||
| Total Units | 18 | |
Suggested Plan of Study
Career, salary, and labor market data information.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Units | |
| PAL 101 | Law Office Technology for Paralegals | 3.0 |
| Select two courses from certificate electives | 6.0 | |
| Units | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| PAL 200 | Law Office Management for Paralegals | 3.0 |
| PAL 204 | Wills and Trusts for Paralegals | 3.0 |
| PAL 205 | Basic Bankruptcy Law for Paralegals | 3.0 |
| Units | 9 | |
| Total Units | 18 | |