Paralegal/Legal Assistant
AS Degree 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. The American Bar Association (ABA) By-Laws Section 21.12 uses the terms paralegal and legal assistant interchangeably referring to persons who, although not members of the legal profession, are qualified through education, training, or work experience and are employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, governmental agency, or other entity in a capacity or function which involves the performance, under the direction and supervision of an attorney, of specifically delegated substantive legal work. Paralegals/legal assistants must comply with the legal restrictions in the practice of law by nonlawyer. The California Business & Professions Code, Section 6450 et seq, governs paralegals in California. The American Bar Association does not recognize the following courses as meeting its definition of General Education: ARTB 14, ARTD 15A, ARTD 20, ARTD 25A, ARTS 30A, ARTS 40A, THTR 11, MUS 7, AD 3, COUN 5, and the Physical Wellbeing Course Requirement. Students developing their educational plan should select another course from the Mt. SAC General Education area which will satisfy that area’s General Education requirement.
This degree requires the completion of General Education coursework plus the following:
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 |
| Required Electives | ||
| Choose one course 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 | |
Paralegal Program Website
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
Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, a student will:
- Have increased confidence in basic paralegal skills.
- 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.
- Have earned LexisAdvance certification for paralegals.
- Have earned Westlaw certification for paralegals.
Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.