Paralegal Studies AAS
Approved by the American Bar Association
HEGIS Code 5099 – 63 Credits
Suggested 4-Semester Course Sequence
First Semester
| ENG 101 | College Writing I | 3 |
| MCS 140/PLG 140 | Civil Liberties and Multiculturalism | 3 |
| PLG 101 | Introduction to Paralegalism | 3 |
| PLG 106 | Computerized Legal Applications | 3 |
| Math General Education course required | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Second Semester
| ENG 102 | College Writing II | 3 |
| PLG 102 | Legal Research & Writing | 3 |
| PLG 103 | Civil Litigation | 3 |
| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Speech | 3 |
| Natural Science General Education course required | 3 |
| Exercise and Human Performance | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Third Semester
| PLG 105 | Domestic Relations | 3 |
| PLG 112 | Criminal Law and Procedures for Paralegals | 3 |
| Social Science Elective | 3 |
| Two Electives | 6 |
| Exercise and Human Performance | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Electives: ACC 101, BUS 101, BUS 108, BUS 204, BUS/PHL 260, any INT course, OFT 111, OFT 112, or PLG 273
Fourth Semester
| PLG 107 | Contract Law and Litigation | 3 |
| PLG 108 | Real Estate Practices | 3 |
| PLG 109 | Elder Law, Estate Planning and Probate | 3 |
| PLG 110 | Tort Law | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Exercise and Human Performance | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Elective: ACC 101, BUS 101, BUS 108, BUS 204, BUS/PHL 260, any INT course, OFT 111, OFT 112, or PLG 273
Total Credit Hours: 63
(21 of the 30 Paralegal credits must be taken at RCC) A minimum of 10 credits of legal specialty courses through traditional classroom instruction are required.
According to the American Bar Association, “a legal assistant or 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 the lawyer is responsible.” Paralegals are not licensed and always work under the supervision of an attorney. The goal of both the degree and certificate program is to prepare students to become entry-level paralegals.