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Paralegal

If helping attorneys with legal cases sounds exciting, a career as a paralegal could be for you.

 
This program—approved by the American Bar Association—prepares you to work under the direct supervision of an attorney as a vital part of a legal services team. You’ll learn to conduct legal research, support trial work, prepare legal documents, perform interviews and investigative work, and more. You’ll also gain on-the-job training in a real law office.

Whether you want to work in a private law firm or for government, a degree or certificate in paralegal studies can help make your goal a reality.

Note: A paralegal graduate does not receive a license to practice law; thus, performing legal work directly for the public or giving legal advice directly to the public constitutes the unauthorized practice of law.

Students must complete 13.5 quarter credits of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.

Paralegal Transfer Policy

  1. Apply knowledge of law and legal procedures through legal research, writing, document drafting, analysis of facts, interviewing and investigation.
  2. Develop skills in civil and criminal pretrial and trial practice, real estate, business, family law, commercial transactions and litigation, bankruptcy proceedings, intellectual property, estate planning, probate and other specialty areas.
  3. Develop technological and organizational skills, including categorizing and organizing documents, calendaring, assessing and prioritizing work; managing time; creating and maintaining databases; and using standard forms and checklists.
  4. Develop understanding of rules of professional and ethical conduct, competence, professionalism and client service.

Breaking Ground on Your Pathway


Plan Your Courses

Meet with our counselors to customize this plan just for you. You can also search the quarterly schedule for class days and times.

Placement

Math placement is not required for this program.
English placement is not required for this program.

This regionally respected American Bar Association (ABA) approved program consists of basic and specialty legal courses designed to prepare students for employment in the legal services field. The program offers an Associate in Applied Sciences (AAS) in Paralegal Studies and Paralegal Certificate.

The AAS in Paralegal Studies is awarded after the completion of 90 credits of required coursework. If full class loads are taken each quarter, the program requires 6 quarters to complete. The supervised legal work experience required for graduation or the internship must be approved by the program director. A grade of 2.0 or higher in each class (including prerequisites) is required for both the AAS degree and the certificate.

Students may enroll in the certificate program instead of the AAS program if the student is in the process of or has completed an Associate in Arts degree (AA), a bachelor's degree, or advanced degree from an accredited college and/or university.

Note: A paralegal graduate does not receive a license to practice law; thus performing legal work directly for the public or giving legal advice directly to the public constitutes the unauthorized practice of law.
 

Program Map for

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Total Program Credits: 90


Program Courses

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
BUS 204
Introduction to Law  
5
ENGL&101
English Composition I   1
5
LA 107
Introduction to Legal Careers  
3
Total Credits
 
13

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
LA 108
Legal Citations  
3
 
Legal Specialty Courses   9
6
 
Math Electives  
5
Total Credits
 
14
ACCT 151
College Accounting I   6
5
ACCT&201
Principles of Accounting I   6
5
HED 104
Medical Terminology and Anatomy  
5
HED 105
Medical Terminology and Anatomy  
5
LA 201
Introduction to Probate  
3
LA 205
Contracts  
3
LA 207
Family Law  
3
LA 217
Business Organizations  
3
LA 218
Employment Law  
3
LA 219
Criminal Law and Procedure  
3
LA 220
Torts  
3
LA 221
Property and Real Estate Transactions I  
3
LA 223
Interview and Investigation Techniques  
3
LA 225
Trial Preparation and Procedures  
3
LA 230
Insurance Law  
3
LA 240
Special Issues Seminar   7
1 - 10
LA 241
Evidence  
3
LA 285
Legal Office Internship  
1 - 3
Math Electives: Choose 5 credits Math Electives: Choose 5 credits  
BUS 104
Business Mathematics   4
5
MATH&107
Math in Society  
5

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
LA 110
Legal Research and Writing   3
3
LA 120
Law Office Computing   5
3
 
Communication Electives  
5
 
Legal Specialty Courses   10
3
Total Credits
 
14
CMST&101
Introduction to Communication  
5
CMST 103
Effective Listening  
5
CMST&210
Interpersonal Communication  
5
CMST&220
Public Speaking  
5
CMST&230
Small Group Communication  
5
ENGL&102
Composition II  
5
ENGL&113
Intro to Poetry  
5
ENGL 238
Advanced Expository Writing  
5
ACCT 151
College Accounting I   6
5
ACCT&201
Principles of Accounting I   6
5
HED 104
Medical Terminology and Anatomy  
5
HED 105
Medical Terminology and Anatomy  
5
LA 201
Introduction to Probate  
3
LA 205
Contracts  
3
LA 207
Family Law  
3
LA 217
Business Organizations  
3
LA 218
Employment Law  
3
LA 219
Criminal Law and Procedure  
3
LA 220
Torts  
3
LA 221
Property and Real Estate Transactions I  
3
LA 223
Interview and Investigation Techniques  
3
LA 225
Trial Preparation and Procedures  
3
LA 230
Insurance Law  
3
LA 240
Special Issues Seminar   7
1 - 10
LA 241
Evidence  
3
LA 285
Legal Office Internship  
1 - 3

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
LA 125
Law Office Procedures and Technology  
3
LA 130
Legal Ethics  
3
 
Humanities Electives  
5
 
Legal Specialty Courses   11
6
Total Credits
 
17
CMST 227
Intercultural Communication  
5
ENGL&111
Intro to Literature  
5
ENGL 209
British Literature since 1800  
5
ENGL 248
American Literature to 1865  
5
ENGL 249
American Literature since 1865  
5
ENGL 261
Studies in the Novel  
5
ENGL 271
World Literature to 1650  
5
ENGL 272
World Literature since 1650  
5
HUM& 101
Intro to Humanities  
5
HUM 201
Humanities, Past, Present, and Future  
5
PHIL&101
Intro to Philosophy  
5
PHIL 110
Intro to Ethics  
5
PHIL 220
Philosophy of Religion  
5
ACCT 151
College Accounting I   6
5
ACCT&201
Principles of Accounting I   6
5
HED 104
Medical Terminology and Anatomy  
5
HED 105
Medical Terminology and Anatomy  
5
LA 201
Introduction to Probate  
3
LA 205
Contracts  
3
LA 207
Family Law  
3
LA 217
Business Organizations  
3
LA 218
Employment Law  
3
LA 219
Criminal Law and Procedure  
3
LA 220
Torts  
3
LA 221
Property and Real Estate Transactions I  
3
LA 223
Interview and Investigation Techniques  
3
LA 225
Trial Preparation and Procedures  
3
LA 230
Insurance Law  
3
LA 240
Special Issues Seminar   7
1 - 10
LA 241
Evidence  
3
LA 285
Legal Office Internship  
1 - 3

Fifth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
LA 105
Washington and Idaho Court Rules  
3
 
Legal Specialty Courses   12
9
 
Social Sciences Electives  
5
Total Credits
 
17
ACCT 151
College Accounting I   6
5
ACCT&201
Principles of Accounting I   6
5
HED 104
Medical Terminology and Anatomy  
5
HED 105
Medical Terminology and Anatomy  
5
LA 201
Introduction to Probate  
3
LA 205
Contracts  
3
LA 207
Family Law  
3
LA 217
Business Organizations  
3
LA 218
Employment Law  
3
LA 219
Criminal Law and Procedure  
3
LA 220
Torts  
3
LA 221
Property and Real Estate Transactions I  
3
LA 223
Interview and Investigation Techniques  
3
LA 225
Trial Preparation and Procedures  
3
LA 230
Insurance Law  
3
LA 240
Special Issues Seminar   7
1 - 10
LA 241
Evidence  
3
LA 285
Legal Office Internship  
1 - 3
HIST&116
Western Civilization I  
5
HIST&117
Western Civilization II  
5
HIST&118
Western Civilization III  
5
HIST&136
US History 1  
5
HIST&137
US History 2  
5
HIST&214
Pacific NW History  
5
HIST 230
Latin American History  
5
POLS&101
Intro to Political Science  
5
POLS 125
Introduction to Global Issues  
5
POLS&202
United States Government  
5
POLS&203
International Relations  
5
PSYC&100
General Psychology  
5
SOC& 101
Intro to Sociology  
5
SOC 211
Marriage and the Family  
5
SOC 221
Race and Ethnic Relations  
5

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
LA 118
Instrument Drafting  
3
LA 245
Supervised Legal Work Experience  
4
 
General Education Electives   2
5
 
Legal Specialty Courses   13
3
Total Credits
 
15
ACCT 151
College Accounting I   6
5
ACCT&201
Principles of Accounting I   6
5
HED 104
Medical Terminology and Anatomy  
5
HED 105
Medical Terminology and Anatomy  
5
LA 201
Introduction to Probate  
3
LA 205
Contracts  
3
LA 207
Family Law  
3
LA 217
Business Organizations  
3
LA 218
Employment Law  
3
LA 219
Criminal Law and Procedure  
3
LA 220
Torts  
3
LA 221
Property and Real Estate Transactions I  
3
LA 223
Interview and Investigation Techniques  
3
LA 225
Trial Preparation and Procedures  
3
LA 230
Insurance Law  
3
LA 240
Special Issues Seminar   7
1 - 10
LA 241
Evidence  
3
LA 285
Legal Office Internship  
1 - 3

Communication Electives  

  5 credits required

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
CMST&101
Introduction to Communication  
5
CMST 103
Effective Listening  
5
CMST&210
Interpersonal Communication  
5
CMST&220
Public Speaking  
5
CMST&230
Small Group Communication  
5
ENGL&102
Composition II  
5
ENGL&113
Intro to Poetry  
5
ENGL 238
Advanced Expository Writing  
5

General Education Electives   2

  5 credits required

Course ID
Course Title
Credits

Humanities Electives  

  5 credits required

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
CMST 227
Intercultural Communication  
5
ENGL&111
Intro to Literature  
5
ENGL 209
British Literature since 1800  
5
ENGL 248
American Literature to 1865  
5
ENGL 249
American Literature since 1865  
5
ENGL 261
Studies in the Novel  
5
ENGL 271
World Literature to 1650  
5
ENGL 272
World Literature since 1650  
5
HUM& 101
Intro to Humanities  
5
HUM 201
Humanities, Past, Present, and Future  
5
PHIL&101
Intro to Philosophy  
5
PHIL 110
Intro to Ethics  
5
PHIL 220
Philosophy of Religion  
5

Legal Specialty Courses  

  27 credits required

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ACCT 151
College Accounting I   6
5
ACCT&201
Principles of Accounting I   6
5
HED 104
Medical Terminology and Anatomy  
5
HED 105
Medical Terminology and Anatomy  
5
LA 201
Introduction to Probate  
3
LA 205
Contracts  
3
LA 207
Family Law  
3
LA 217
Business Organizations  
3
LA 218
Employment Law  
3
LA 219
Criminal Law and Procedure  
3
LA 220
Torts  
3
LA 221
Property and Real Estate Transactions I  
3
LA 223
Interview and Investigation Techniques  
3
LA 225
Trial Preparation and Procedures  
3
LA 230
Insurance Law  
3
LA 240
Special Issues Seminar   7
1 - 10
LA 241
Evidence  
3
LA 285
Legal Office Internship  
1 - 3

Math Electives   8

  5 credits required

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
BUS 104
Business Mathematics   4
5
MATH&107
Math in Society  
5

Social Sciences Electives  

  5 credits required

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
HIST&116
Western Civilization I  
5
HIST&117
Western Civilization II  
5
HIST&118
Western Civilization III  
5
HIST&136
US History 1  
5
HIST&137
US History 2  
5
HIST&214
Pacific NW History  
5
HIST 230
Latin American History  
5
POLS&101
Intro to Political Science  
5
POLS 125
Introduction to Global Issues  
5
POLS&202
United States Government  
5
POLS&203
International Relations  
5
PSYC&100
General Psychology  
5
SOC& 101
Intro to Sociology  
5
SOC 211
Marriage and the Family  
5
SOC 221
Race and Ethnic Relations  
5
1 Must be taken during the first quarter of enrolling in the AAS in Paralegal Studies program.
2 Any transferable college level general elective course from communications, humanities, social science, math, science, or foreign language.
3 ENGL& 101 or BT 272 is required prior to enrollment. LA 108 - Legal Citations is a prerequisite.
4 BUS 104 prerequisite: BUS 103. BUS 104 does not count toward your required general education courses.
5 BT 165 required prior to enrollment; or permission of instructor.
6 Only one ACCT course may be counted towards Legal Specialty Courses requirements.
7 Because each course is different, LA 240 may be repeated as frequently as desired and all credits received may be applied toward the specialty credit requirements for this degree.
8 Any generally transferable math course may be substituted. The math requirement must be satisfied
9 LA 207 and LA 220 recommended
10 LA 219 recommended
11 LA 205 and LA 241 recommended
12 LA 201, LA 221, and LA 230 recommended
13 LA 223 recommended

Estimated costs for completing this program

 
WA Resident
Non-Resident
International
Tuition
$ 9,544
$ 11,488
$ 21,823
Books
$ 1,741
$ 1,741
$ 1,741
Course Fees
$ 98
$ 98
$ 98
Institutional Fees
$ 672
$ 672
$ 3,195
Total Costs
$ 12,055
$ 13,999
$ 26,857

Costs for completing a degree or certificate can vary. For more information about costs, visit our How Much Does it Cost? page.

Program Goals and Objectives

Objective 1: Students who complete the SCC Paralegal Program will be employable.
Objective 2: Eighty-five percent of students will pass each paralegal program course with a 2.0 or higher.
Objective 3: Students will complete the SCC Paralegal Program within three (3) years if enrolled in the AAS program and within two (2) years if enrolled in the certificate program.
Objective 4: The SCC Paralegal Program will serve diverse and underserved populations, including students in remote locations.
Objective 5: The SCC Paralegal Program instructors will ensure that the paralegal program is offering an educational program that is relevant to community standards in the legal community.

Have a question? Let's hear it.

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Request Info

Anne Mayer

Workforce Transitions Specialist
Anne.Mayer@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-8191

 

David Shotwell

Program Director
David.Shotwell@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7394

 

Jeff Brown

Division Dean
Jeff.Brown@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-8882

 

John Yoon

Academic Counseling Liaison
John.Yoon@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7356

 

Landon Johnston

Academic Counseling Liaison
Landon.Johnston@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7190

 

Neesa Guel

Pathway Specialist
Neesa.Guel@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7005