Academic Catalog

Business & Professional Studies

Paralegal Studies Associate in Science

The legal profession has evolved, like the medical profession, into a profession of specialties. Based on this development, lawyers need qualified assistants to better help them provide legal services to their clients. Paralegals are trained, professional technicians able to provide this needed legal assistance.

This degree program is specifically designed to prepare and provide students with the analytical skills and written abilities necessary to assist attorneys in the practice of law. The technical curriculum goals and objectives emphasize three primary areas:

  1. Legal Research, Analysis and Writing
  2. Ethics and the Mechanics of Law
  3. Integration of Substantive and Procedural Law

The successful paralegal degree candidate will possess a broad educational background with an opportunity to gain specialized skills in specific areas of law. The large curriculum offering also allows practicing paralegals to attend college refresher or new skills development courses.

This program does not prepare students for law school or the practice of law. Please note: Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Apply the research, analytical skills and college-level writing abilities necessary to assist attorneys in the practice of law.
  • Conduct oneself in an ethical and professional manner when confronted with a law office related conflict scenario.

Career Opportunities

Claim Examiner
Compensation and Benefits Manager
Compliance and Enforcement Inspector
Contract Consultant1
Forms and Procedures Specialist
Freelance Paralegal
Labor Relations Specialist2
Law Clerk
Legal Aide
Legal Assistant
Legal Research Assistant
Legal Technician
Occupational Safety and Health Worker
Paralegal1
Patent Agent
Title Examiner

1

Bachelor Degree normally recommended.

2

Bachelor Degree or higher required.

It is recommended that incoming students complete C grade or higher in ESL-2B Advanced Accelerated Composition for English as a Second Language or placement into ENGL-120 College Composition and Reading or equivalent prior to taking any Paralegal Studies classes.

Associate in Science Degree Requirements

BOT-120Comprehensive Word, Level I1
BOT-121Comprehensive Word, Level II1
Select one of the following:1
Comprehensive Word, Level III
Using Microsoft Outlook
Essential Excel
BUS-125Business Law: Legal Environment of Business3
PARA-100Introduction to Paralegal Studies3
PARA-110Civil Litigation Practice and Procedures3
PARA-130Legal Research and Writing3
PARA-132Computer Assisted Legal Research (CALR)3
PARA-135Bankruptcy Law3
Select at least six units from the following:6
Introduction to Administrative Law
Social Security Disability Law
Business Organizations
Introduction to Criminal Law and Procedures
Estate Planning
Probate and Administration of Estates
Family Law (Divorce, Separation, Nullity, and Paternity)
Family Law (Custody, Visitation, Support)
Personal Injury
Workers' Compensation
Electronic Discovery: Fundamentals and Procedure
Electronic Discovery: Advanced Practice
Internship 1
Paralegal Studies Practicum
Total Units27

Plus General Education Requirements as shown below 

1

Student must complete 18 units within the major to be eligible for this course.

Recommended Elective: BUS-128 Business Communication

General Education Requirements for the Paralegal Studies Degree

Area A - Language and Rationality
Select a minimum of 6 semester units. One course from each category:6
1. Written Communication
College Composition and Reading
2. Oral Communication and Analytical Thinking
Interpersonal Communication
Public Speaking
Critical Thinking in Group Communication
Argumentation
Introduction to Engineering and Design
Quantitative Reasoning
Structure and Concepts of Elementary Mathematics I
Elementary Statistics
Analytic Trigonometry
College Algebra
PreCalculus: Functions and Graphs
Calculus for Business, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
Discrete Mathematics
Analytic Geometry and Calculus II
Multivariable Calculus
Linear Algebra
Critical Thinking and Philosophical Composition
Logic
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
Area B-Natural Sciences
Select a minimum of 4 semester units, including one course that includes a laboratory:4
Introduction to Biological Anthropology
Descriptive Astronomy
General Astronomy Laboratory 1
Contemporary Issues in Environmental Resources
Biology of Alcohol and Other Drugs
The Secret Life of Plants 1
General Biology I
General Biology I Laboratory 1
Human Anatomy 1
Paramedical Microbiology 1
Principles of Cellular, Molecular and Evolutionary Biology 1
Principles of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology 1
Introduction to General, Organic and Biological Chemistry 1
Preparation for General Chemistry 1
General Chemistry I 1
Physical Geography: Earth Systems
Physical Geography: Earth Systems Laboratory 1
Earth Science
Planet Earth
Planet Earth Laboratory 1
Introduction to Oceanography
Oceanography Laboratory 1
Introductory Physics 1
Fundamentals of Physics 1
Fundamentals of Physics 1
Mechanics and Waves 1
Electricity, Magnetism, and Heat 1
Light, Optics, and Modern Physics 1
Area C - Humanities
Minimum of 3 semester units.
Select one of the following:3
Aramaic I
Aramaic II
Aramaic III
Arabic I
Arabic II
Arabic Civilizations
Arabic III
Arabic IV
Conversational Arabic I
Conversational Arabic II
Art Appreciation
Two-Dimensional Design
Drawing I
Three-Dimensional Design
Survey of Western Art I: Prehistory through Middle Ages
Survey of Western ART II: Renaissance through Modern
Modern Art
Contemporary Art
Asian Art
American Sign Language I
American Sign Language II
Inside Deaf Culture
American Sign Language III
American Sign Language IV
Introduction to Literature
Women, Gender, and Sexuality in Literature
Introduction to Film as Literature
Masterpieces of Drama
Fantasy and Science Fiction
British Literature I
British Literature II
American Literature I
American Literature II
World Literature I
World Literature II
Early World History
Modern World History
Early Western Civilization
Modern Western Civilization
Principles of the Humanities
Arts & Culture of San Diego
Kumeyaay Arts and Culture I
Humanities of the Americas
World Mythology through the Humanities
Kumeyaay Language I
Kumeyaay Language II
Kumeyaay Language III
Great Music Listening
History of Jazz
History of Rock Music
Introduction to World Music
Introduction to Music History and Literature
A General Introduction to Philosophy
History of Philosophy I: Ancient and Medieval
History of Philosophy II: Modern and Contemporary
Problems in Ethics
World Religions
Introduction to Christianity
Spanish I
Spanish II
Spanish and Latin American Cultures
Hispanic Civilizations
Spanish III
Spanish IV
Conversational Spanish I
Conversational Spanish II
Introduction to the Theatre
Area D - Social and Behavioral Sciences
Minimum of 3 semester units.
Select one of the following:3
Cultural Anthropology
Changing American Family
Child Growth and Development
Child, Family and Community
Child Abuse and Family Violence in Our Society
Introduction to Mass Communication
Intercultural Communication
Economic Issues and Policies
Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics
World Regional Geography
Human Geography: the Cultural Landscape
Personal Health and Lifestyles
Introduction to Public Health
Early American History
Modern American History
U.S. History: Chicano/Chicana Perspectives I
U.S. History: Chicano/Chicana Perspectives II
Women in Early American History
Women in Modern American History
History of California
Kumeyaay History I: Precontact - 1845
Kumeyaay History II: 1846 - Present
U.S. History and Cultures: Native American Perspectives I
U.S. History and Cultures: Native American Perspectives II
U.S. History: Black Perspectives I
U.S. History: Black Perspectives II
Introduction to Politics and Political Analysis
Introduction to U.S. Government and Politics
Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics
Introduction to International Relations
Introduction to California Governments and Politics
Introductory Psychology
Cross-Cultural Psychology
Human Sexuality
Social Psychology
Physiological Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Abnormal Psychology
Learning
Introductory Sociology
Marriage, Family and Alternative Lifestyles
Contemporary Social Problems
Area E - Cultural Diversity Graduation Requirement
Minimum of 3 semester units.
Select one of the following:3
Chicanx Art
Intercultural Communication
Chicana/o Literature
Black Literature
History of Race & Ethnicity in the United States
Introduction to Race & Ethnicity
U.S. History and Cultures: Native American Perspectives I
U.S. History and Cultures: Native American Perspectives II
Chicana/o Literature
Black Literature
History of Race & Ethnicity in the United States
Comparative History of the Early Americas
Comparative History of the Modern Americas
U.S. History: Chicano/Chicana Perspectives I
U.S. History: Chicano/Chicana Perspectives II
Kumeyaay History I: Precontact - 1845
Kumeyaay History II: 1846 - Present
U.S. History and Cultures: Native American Perspectives I
U.S. History and Cultures: Native American Perspectives II
The Modern Middle East
U.S. History: Black Perspectives I
U.S. History: Black Perspectives II
Culture, Art & Ideas of the United States
Introduction to Native American Politics and Policy
Introduction to the Politics of Race and Gender
Introduction to Native American Politics and Policy
Cross-Cultural Psychology
Psychology of Health
Introduction to Race & Ethnicity
Introductory Sociology
Marriage, Family and Alternative Lifestyles
Latinx Communities in the United States
Additional Requirements
Select two additional courses from two different areas, minimum 6 semester units:6
Area B - Natural Sciences
Area C - Humanities
Area D - Social and Behavioral Sciences
1

This course includes a laboratory.

Degree Requirements

Cuyamaca College will confer the Degree of Associate in Science in Paralegal Studies upon students who successfully complete the following requirements:

  1. A minimum of 60 semester units of college work.
  2. Competency Requirements
    1. Completion of ENGL-120 College Composition and Reading with a grade of “C” or better or “P”1.
    2. Completion of any mathematics course numbered MATH-160 Elementary Statistics or higher, or statistics course from another discipline with intermediate algebra as a prerequisite, such as PSY-215 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences, with a grade of “C” or higher or a grade of “P”.
  3. Exercise Science Degree Requirements
    Two activity courses in exercise science are required for graduation from Cuyamaca College. These courses are marked with an asterisk in the Course Descriptions section.
    1. If medical reasons necessitate exclusion from exercise science, a medical statement must be on file with the Admissions and Records Office. Adaptive exercise science classes are available.
    2. Veterans who have completed at least one year of honorable active service will receive up to three units of credit for exercise science which will satisfy the activity requirement for graduation. To receive credit for military service, a DD-214 and appropriate military records must be submitted to the Admissions and Records Office.
  4. Achievement of a “C” average (2.0 GPA) in all college work counted toward general education requirements.
  5. Achievement of a “C” grade or higher or "Pass" in all courses counted toward the major. 
  6. A maximum of 12 “P”1 semester units taken in regular course work at this institution may be counted toward the 60 semester units required for graduation.
  7. A minimum of 12 semester units of Legal Specialty courses must be completed at Cuyamaca College.
1

A grade of “P” (Pass) represents a “C” grade or better.

For more information regarding degree requirements, see Degree Requirements and Transfer Information section.