{
  "college": "mt-san-antonio-college",
  "edition": "2026-2027",
  "departmentName": "Paralegal Legal Assistant",
  "id": "paralegal-legal-assistant--paralegal-legal-assistant-certificate",
  "name": "Paralegal/Legal Assistant",
  "award": "Certificate",
  "department": "paralegal-legal-assistant",
  "sourceUrl": "https://catalog.mtsac.edu/programs/programsaz/paralegal-legal-assistant/paralegal-legal-assistant-certificate/",
  "blocks": [
    {
      "kind": "text",
      "markdown": "**Business Division  \nBusiness Administration Department**  \nThe paralegal program is intended to prepare students for employment as paralegals in both private and public sectors following graduation. According to the American Bar Association's House of Delegates: \"A paralegal is a person, qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.” Paralegals must comply with the legal restrictions in the practice of law by nonlawyers. The California Business &Professions Code, Section 6450 et seq, governs paralegals in California. This certificate requires previous completion of an associate or baccalaureate degree.\n\n#### Required Courses"
    },
    {
      "kind": "courselist",
      "rows": [
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "PLGL 30",
          "title": "Introduction to Paralegal/Legal",
          "units": "3",
          "indent": false
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "PLGL 31",
          "title": "Legal Analysis and Writing",
          "units": "3",
          "indent": false
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "PLGL 32",
          "title": "Advanced Legal Analysis and Writing",
          "units": "3",
          "indent": false
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "PLGL 33",
          "title": "Civil Procedure",
          "units": "3",
          "indent": false
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "PLGL 34",
          "title": "Law Office Procedures",
          "units": "3",
          "indent": false
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "PLGL 35",
          "title": "Law Office Technology",
          "units": "3",
          "indent": false
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "PLGL 37",
          "title": "Tort Law",
          "units": "3",
          "indent": false
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "PLGL 38",
          "title": "Employment and Ethical Issues in Paralegalism",
          "units": "3",
          "indent": false
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "PLGL 39",
          "title": "Contract Law",
          "units": "3",
          "indent": false
        },
        {
          "type": "comment",
          "text": "Choose one elective from the following:",
          "units": "3"
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "BUSL 18",
          "title": "Business Law",
          "indent": true
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "BUSL 19",
          "title": "Advanced Business Law",
          "indent": true
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "PLGL 41",
          "title": "Property Law",
          "indent": true
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "PLGL 42",
          "title": "Family Law",
          "indent": true
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "PLGL 43",
          "title": "Wills and Trusts",
          "indent": true
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "PLGL 44",
          "title": "Bankruptcy Law",
          "indent": true
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "PLGL 48",
          "title": "Criminal Law and Procedures",
          "indent": true
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "PLGL 49",
          "title": "Evidence Law",
          "indent": true
        },
        {
          "type": "total",
          "text": "Total Units",
          "units": "30"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "kind": "text",
      "markdown": "### Outcomes\n\n##### Program Learning Outcomes\n\nUpon successful completion of this program, a student will:\n\n-   Students completing the Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate will have increased their confidence in basic paralegal skills.\n-   Students completing the Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate will competently prepare basic legal documents such as motions and discovery, as they would be asked to do under the direction and supervision of a licensed attorney.\n-   Students completing the Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate will have earned Lexis certification for paralegals.\n-   Students completing the Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate will have earned Westlaw certification for paralegals.\n\nReview Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program."
    },
    {
      "kind": "text",
      "markdown": "### ABA Approved\n\nThe Paralegal/Legal Assistant program is approved by the American Bar Association.\n\n**Contact:**  \nAmerican Bar Association  \nChicago Office:  \n321 N. Clark Street, 17th Floor  \nChicago, IL 60654-7598  \n(312) 988-5618\n\nWashington DC Office:    \n1050 Connecticut Ave NW   \nWashington, DC  20036  \n312.988.5617  \nAbigail.Randall@americanbar.org  \nwww.americanbar.org  |  www.abaparalegals.org"
    }
  ]
}