The Santa Rosa Junior College Paralegal Studies Program is an
academic Associate in Arts degree program for students seeking
employment in the legal field and in business. The curriculum blends
an understanding of legal theory and practical skills, based on
actual paralegal job responsibilities. Classes are taught by
practicing attorneys and paralegals in the evenings and on weekends.
The guiding principles of the program are two-fold: to offer a
curriculum that teaches the practical applications of legal theory
and to advance the paralegal profession by offering a rigorous course
of study that develops resourceful legal problem solvers. It meets
the educational requirements for paralegals as stated in the
California Business and Professions Code, commencing with section
6450.
Students earn the Associate in Arts degree with 29 units of required
courses and 7 units of program electives, in addition to a minimum of
23 units of general education courses and 1 additional elective unit to total 60 units required of an associate degree. The program begins in January, June or August and can be completed within two years
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this major, the student will be able
to:
- Locate statutes and case law by researching legal issues;
- compose legal documents and complete mandated legal court forms;
- apply learned critical thinking and analytical skills to client
matters;
- compile and organize materials efficiently for trials;
- interview witnesses and conduct investigations on the behalf of
clients; and
- complete specific, substantive tasks as delegated by the
supervising attorney.
Recommended Sequence of Courses
Students interested in a suggested order for taking classes in this program, please view the recommended course sequence.
Transfer Preparation