Paralegal/Legal Assistant
Certificate Paralegal Legal Assistant · Mt. San Antonio College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Business Division
Business Administration Department
The 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.
Required Courses
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| PLGL 30 | Introduction to Paralegal/Legal | 3 |
| PLGL 31 | Legal Analysis and Writing | 3 |
| PLGL 32 | Advanced Legal Analysis and Writing | 3 |
| PLGL 33 | Civil Procedure | 3 |
| PLGL 34 | Law Office Procedures | 3 |
| PLGL 35 | Law Office Technology | 3 |
| PLGL 37 | Tort Law | 3 |
| PLGL 38 | Employment and Ethical Issues in Paralegalism | 3 |
| PLGL 39 | Contract Law | 3 |
| Choose one elective from the following: | 3 | |
| BUSL 18 | Business Law | |
| BUSL 19 | Advanced Business Law | |
| PLGL 41 | Property Law | |
| PLGL 42 | Family Law | |
| PLGL 43 | Wills and Trusts | |
| PLGL 44 | Bankruptcy Law | |
| PLGL 48 | Criminal Law and Procedures | |
| PLGL 49 | Evidence Law | |
| Total Units | 30 | |
Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, a student will:
- Students completing the Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate will have increased their confidence in basic paralegal skills.
- 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.
- Students completing the Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate will have earned Lexis certification for paralegals.
- Students completing the Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate will have earned Westlaw certification for paralegals.
Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.
ABA Approved
The Paralegal/Legal Assistant program is approved by the American Bar Association.
Contact:
American Bar Association
Chicago Office:
321 N. Clark Street, 17th Floor
Chicago, IL 60654-7598
(312) 988-5618
Washington DC Office:
1050 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036
312.988.5617
Abigail.Randall@americanbar.org
www.americanbar.org | www.abaparalegals.org