Approved by the American Bar Association, the Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate program is a 39 credit generalist program which prepares students to work in a variety of legal environments including civil and criminal litigation, insurance, banking, public and governmental agencies, law offices and corporate legal departments. Emphasis is placed on the development of core skills in legal research techniques including: compilation and analysis of data, understanding legal vocabulary; preparation of legal documents, and management of a law office. Hands-on experience is gained through an internship in a legal or law-related setting. South Suburban College’s Paralegal Certificate is structured to help you meet your goals. Courses are offered primarily at night. Some courses may also be taken online. A student who is able to successfully complete the Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate will have done so after demonstrating adequate skills in each of the following competencies:
The paralegal/legal assistant certificate program is open to any person possessing at least a baccalaureate or an associate of arts degree from an accredited postsecondary institution. Forward all High School or HSE/GED®, and college transcripts directly to the Office of Admissions and Records. A person can take paralegal classes without being in the paralegal program.
However, a person must be in the paralegal program in order to take any of the legal research and writing classes and an internship class. To be accepted into the Paralegal program, students must complete the following: an application for admission to the program, successfully complete PLA 101 and BLW 201 with a grade point of 2.66, complete a resume, submit three letters of reference and copies of all college transcripts to the Program Coordinator. Upon completion of the above requirements, schedule a personal interview with the Program Coordinator.
NOTE: Paralegals may not provide Legal Services directly to the public except as permitted by law.
Students must complete all Paralegal (PLA) and Business Law (BLW) course requirements with a grade of “C” or better. Students enrolled in the Certificate Program must successfully complete PLA 101 & BLW 201 with a cumulative GPA of 2.66 or better, provide the Coordinator with a resume, and an application to be formally admitted into the Program.
Students must be accepted into the Paralegal Program prior to registering for PLA 203, Legal Research and Writing I or PLA 205, Legal Research and Writing II, and also PLA 204, Internship I.
These clusters are offered by way of guidance; the ultimate decision what to take is the student’s. Also, the student should note that certain classes (PLA 203 and PLA 205 for example), are only offered once per year and should plan accordingly.
Gainful Employment Information
CREDITS | ||
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OCS 121 | Overview for College Success | 1 |
Cluster 1
BLW 201 | Introduction to Business Law This course must be taken before an application can be made for program admittance. |
3 |
PLA 101 | Fundamentals of Paralegalism This course must be taken before an application can be made for program admittance. |
3 |
PLA 202 | Litigation This course must be taken before serving PLA 204. BLW 202 and & PLA 205 may be taken concurrently with PLA 204. |
3 |
PLA | Select a program elective. | 3 |
Cluster 2
PLA 203 | Legal Research and Writing I Students must be formally admitted into the Program prior to enrolling in PLA 203. |
3 |
PLA 201 | Evidence and Investigation This course must be taken before serving PLA 204. BLW 202 and & PLA 205 may be taken concurrently with PLA 204. |
3 |
PLA 103 | Law Office Technology This course must be taken before serving PLA 204. BLW 202 and & PLA 205 may be taken concurrently with PLA 204. |
3 |
PLA | Select a program elective. | 3 |
PLA | Select a program elective. | 3 |
Cluster 3
PLA 205 | Legal Research and Writing II This course must be taken before serving PLA 204. BLW 202 and & PLA 205 may be taken concurrently with PLA 204. |
3 |
PLA 204 | Internship I Students must have been accepted into the Program and have had an interview with the Program Coordinator before signing up for an internship. |
3 |
BLW 202 | Intermediate Business Law | 3 |
PLA | Select a program elective. | 3 |
Minimum for Certificate: | 39 |
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