Paralegal  

 

Be a Legal Eagle

 

If you’ve always dreamed of being the next Perry Mason or Ally McBeal, this might be the career for you. While lawyers assume ultimate responsibility for legal work, they often delegate many of their tasks to paralegals. You can be an integral part of the process when you get to conduct witness interviews and investigate the facts of a case to help attorneys decide how to proceed to ensure that justice is properly served.

Paralegal is a challenging career with a wide variety of job opportunities in public and private law offices and agencies. Paralegals assist attorneys in the delivery of legal services. Typically, Paralegals conduct client interviews, maintain general contact with clients; locate and interview witnesses; conduct legal research and investigate the facts of cases; draft legal documents, correspondence, and pleadings; and organize and maintain records. Although Paralegals are not authorized to practice law, some are authorized to perform legal work under the supervision of a lawyer.

Paralegals are expected to be able to work under pressure, communicate effectively (written and verbal), pay particular attention to detail, work independently, conduct research and accurately compile information, and demonstrate a knowledge of legal terminology. You’ll need good research and investigative skills, the ability to think logically and solve problems, and a high standard of ethics and confidentiality. Want to find out if this career is for you?  Click here for more details http://www.acinet.org/.

Program Description

A variety of legal specialty courses give you a broad overview of the law and how the Paralegal is involved. The El Paso County Law Library is utilized to develop legal researching skills, and an internship course is offered to provide you with valuable “on-the-job” law office experience.  If you are already working in a legal setting but want to upgrade your skills, the Paralegal certificate and degree programs can provide you with the training you need for advancement in your career.

If your ultimate goal is to become a lawyer, then you should enroll in an Associate Degree transfer program at PPCC, then continue on for a Bachelor’s degree at a four-year college or university, before going to law school to earn your Juris Doctor degree. It isn’t necessary to have a Pre-Law Bachelor’s degree; many students prepare by taking History, Political Science, Business, Psychology, Sociology, or Criminology, among others.

Career Path Notes

The Paralegal Certificate program is only available to students who already possess an Associate’s Degree or higher from a regionally-accredited college or university.

Program Information

Click here for program specific information.

For More Information

Call the Division of Business, Social & Behavioral Sciences at 719-502-3300.

Employment Opportunities

Paralegals are employed by private law firms, corporations, governmental offices, administrative agencies, the courts, insurance companies, real estate offices, and bank trust departments. There are good advancement opportunities, with the opportunity to specialize in specific areas of legal work. Job opportunities include Legal Assistant, Paralegal, and Legal Secretary.

Earnings Outlook

In Colorado, the median hourly salary in 2005 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants was $20.29, with a salary range of $14.44 – $29.29. From 2004 to 2014, there are expected to be an average of 220 job openings per year statewide. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Financial Aid

www.ppcc.edu/FinancialAid

Advising

www.ppcc.edu/Advising

Apply

www.ppcc.edu/Apply

Find Out More About Your Future Career
Contact Career Planning and Advising at (719) 502-3232
www.ppcc.edu/Advising  

 

 

Associate of Applied Science Degree

 

 

1st Semester - Fall
ENG 121 English Composition I
PAR 115 Introduction to Law
PAR 127 Legal Ethics
POS 111 American Government
Semester 1 Credit Hours 12
 
2nd Semester - Spring
CIS 118 Introduction to PC Applications
COM 115 Public Speaking
PAR 116 Torts
PAR 211 Legal Research
Semester 2 Credit Hours 12
 
3rd Semester - Summer
PAR 118 Contracts
PAR 212 Legal Writing
PAR Elective
General Education Elective
Semester 3 Credit Hours 12-14

4th Semester - Fall
PAR 117 Family Law
PAR 125 Property Law
PAR 206 Business Law
PAR Elective
Math Requirement 3-4
Semester 4 Credit Hours 15
 
5th Semester - Spring
PAR 201 Civil Litigation
PAR 289 Capstone
PAR Elective
General Education Elective
Semester 5 Credit Hours 12-13
 
Total Credit Hours 63-66
  
 

Certificate

 Paralegal
*Students must already have an Associate Degree
or higher to enroll in Certificate Program