Legal Studies and Paralegal Program, Associate in Arts (LGL)

The Legal Studies and Paralegal Program (LGL) is an associate degree program intended to train generalist paraprofessionals as well provide a pathway for those who wish to pursue higher education or other occupation in the law. Graduates from the associate degree program will have a strong foundation in the areas of legal research and writing, contracts, torts, criminal law and property law. Associate degree program graduates are likely to find employment as paralegals under the direction of attorneys (to do otherwise would be practicing law without a license) in law firms, legal departments of large corporations, insurance companies, title companies, legal service companies and federal, state or local courts and governmental agencies.

The Program also provides three concentration areas, which enables students to select a particular area of expertise they wish to pursue either as paraprofessionals in law and business or to transfer to a four year institution for higher education. These concentrations include:

Paralegal Studies
The Paralegal Studies Concentration offers students with a body of laws that are broadly practiced in the legal industry. Courses such as Family Law, Wills Trusts & Estates, Real Estate Law, Criminal Law, Elder Law, Labor and Employment Laws etc. are bread and butter for the general legal practitioners. By offering this concentration we prepare students to become paralegals who are well suited or choose to work in the general practice of law. This will not limit students from moving forward to achieve higher education should they wish to do so.

Law, Business & Management 
In addition to completing general education and required legal courses, this concentration area allows students to choose from courses that are aligned with business. Those courses will include Intro to Business, Business Organization, Bankruptcy Law, Business Communications, Principles of Marketing, Spanish for Business and the Legal Environment of Business. Combining students’ legal knowledge with business will broaden students’ knowledge and understanding that the practice of law is also a business.  It enhances the possibility of students finding employment both in the law and business either as paralegals or in a coordinator/management position within a law office or other businesses. Similarly, students may choose a higher education pathway either in the law or business.

Law and Criminal Justice 
In addition to completing general education and required legal courses, this concentration area allows student to choose from courses that complement and enhance their learning in criminal law.  The courses available include Introduction to Criminal Justice, Ethics of Criminal Justice, Criminology, Correction, Probation and Parole, Criminal Procedure and Adjudication, and Domestic Violence: Impact on Individuals, Families and Communities. Criminal Law and Adjudication of Criminal Justice are two sides of the same coin. Students who have an in depth understanding of what the law is and how it applies to the adjudication of criminal matters are likely to be interested in both the law and its enforcement. Paralegals who work in the criminal law practice are better situated when they can identify why crimes happen, the different philosophies underlying the adjudication of crime, and the ethical constrains that are essential to safeguards the administration of justice. This concentration opens job opportunities in both the practice of criminal law and certain aspects of law enforcement and adjudication. Similarly, students may choose a higher education pathway either in the law or administration of justice.

Notes:
Students who wish to pursue additional education in law or in other disciplines as part of their future plans should consult with a transfer advisor before selecting courses and understand the transferability of the course to a four-year institution.

No person shall engage or assist a person who is not a member of the bar in the performance of activities that constitutes the unauthorized practice of law.