Paralegal A.A.S.

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Division: Business, Behavioral/Social Sciences, Public & Human Services
Academic Dept: Behavioral/Social Science
HEGIS: 5099
Curriculum Chair: Prof. Russell Ippolito
Tel: 914-606-6218

The Westchester Community College Paralegal Program is approved by the American Bar Association. The goal of the Paralegal Program is to provide students with substantive knowledge of the law, together with hands-on working experience, which will enable them to work ethically under the supervision of an attorney in the public or private sector.

The Paralegal Program provides graduates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform competently as paralegals in law-related occupations under the supervision of an attorney. Employment opportunities exist in government agencies and court systems, law offices, banks, insurance and title companies, as well as in the contract or legal departments of various other government and business enterprises. Paralegals work in all phases of practice except providing legal advice to clients, appearing in court, and setting fees. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment opportunities for paralegals/legal assistants are “expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2012.”

Core Requirements - Credit Hours: 27-29

ENG 101 - Composition and Literature I
ENG 102 - Composition and Literature II
Science Elective w/ Lab - Credit Hours 4
Math - Credit Hours 3-4
Math or Science - Credit Hours 3-4
Social Science (See below) - Credit Hours 3
Behavioral Science or Humanities - Credit Hours 3
Speech Communications - Credit Hours 3
Phys. Ed. (1 health/fitness, 1 sport) - Credit Hours 2

Recommended Social Science Course(s)

POLSC 107 - State and Local Government

Degree Requirements - Credit Hours: 37

PRLGL 101 - Introduction to Paralegal Studies *
PRLGL 116 - Computer Applications for the Law Office
PRLGL 106 - Litigation
PRLGL 102 - Legal Research & Writing
Internship or Approved Elective - Credit Hours 3
LAW 101 - Business Law I
ACC 119 - Financial Accounting
Paralegal Electives (see below) - Credit Hours 15

Paralegal Electives

Students must choose five courses from the following:

Degree Requirement Note(s)

* This course is a prerequisite for all paralegal courses.

Minimum Total Credits: 64

Advisement Guide: The Advisement Guide provides important information to students about how best to complete this degree, including a semester-by-semester breakdown of how best to complete the required classes. Click here for the Advisement Guide’s 4-Semester Plan .