Paralegal Studies Class Schedule and Curriculum

Required Courses (Civil Litigation Emphasis)

You will take five core courses (15 units) that give you the foundation to work as a paralegal. These classes focus on practical skills, including:

• Interviewing clients and witnesses
• Conducting legal research in print and online
• Checking citations and verifying authority
• Reviewing and analyzing legal documents
• Drafting memoranda, correspondence, forms and litigation documents
• Preparing cases for trial
• Applying legal ethics to real situations
• Delivering clear oral presentations

Prerequisites

• PLS 300 and PLS 320 must be taken together in your first semester
• Both must be completed with a grade of C or better before enrolling in PLS 305, PLS 395 or PLS 380 (Internship)

Core Courses

• PLS 300: Introduction to Law/Civil Procedure
• PLS 305: Investigation, Discovery and Trial Preparation
• PLS 310: Communication Skills and Legal Ethics
• PLS 320: Legal Research and Writing
• PLS 395: Pleadings and Motions

Elective Course Areas

To complete the 24-unit certificate, you will select electives that match your interests and career goals.

1. Corporate and Business Practice
Electives in business and corporate law, often needed in large firms, boutique practices and in-house legal departments.

2. Advanced Litigation
Courses that build on core litigation skills with advanced topics. Since more than 70% of paralegals work in litigation, these electives are valuable for most students.

• Large firm focus: Business-oriented electives
• Small firm focus: Family Law, Criminal Law and Evidence

3. Estate Planning
Electives in wills, trusts, estates and probate. Additional recommended courses include Real Estate Practice, Torts, Contracts and Elder Law.

4. Recommended for All Students

• Field Experience/Internship (PLS 380): Hands-on supervised work experience
• Computer Applications in Law Practice (PLS 430): Training in legal software and tools, especially useful if you are new to the legal field

Electives and Their Specialty Areas

^*Required for students who do not have a B.A. Highly recommended for non-native English speakers.

You must complete at least nine semester units of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction. All live online courses in the Paralegal Studies program count toward this requirement.

PLS 380 Internship Class

Internships are highly recommended for all students and are especially valuable if you do not have prior legal experience.

Requirements

• 120 hours of supervised internship work (may be split across two semesters with prior approval)
• Attendance at monthly Saturday seminars
• Internship journal
• Graded credit/no credit

An internship is not required to graduate. Required courses must be taken for a letter grade; electives may be taken credit/no credit.

Internship FAQ

Do you help students find placements?
Yes. We provide a list of placements when you meet with the instructor for a 30-minute advising call. If you already have a law firm or nonprofit in mind, the instructor can guide you on how to set up your placement.

What are the prerequisites for PLS 380?

• To intern at a law firm, you must first complete all five required courses.
• To intern at a nonprofit or public agency, you must complete PLS 300 and PLS 320.

Do I need a placement before registering?
No, but you should begin your search early to secure a placement by the start of the semester.

What is the registration deadline?
The deadline is the same as other classes. You must submit a signed internship agreement before the Add/Drop date, or you will be dropped from the course.