Mar 28, 2024  
Fall 2018 Course Catalog 
    
Fall 2018 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Paralegal A.A.S.


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School: Business and Professional Careers
Academic Dept: Professional Careers
HEGIS: 5099
Chair: Prof. Kristyan Rose Gilmore
Telephone: 914-606-6972
Email: kristyan.gilmore@sunywcc.edu

 

Important Note about Program Requirements

The requirements listed below are for students entering into this program in Fall 2018. Students who entered the program during a prior semester will find their specific requirements listed in the Catalog under which they entered. Archived Catalogs are accessible through the dropdown menu above.

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree Defined

The purpose of the A.A.S. is to be fully trained for immediate employment upon graduation. Students who opt to continue on to pursue higher levels of education are encouraged to check with the receiving institution regarding transferability of credits. Click to learn more  about the differences among award types.

Program Description


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. Paralegals work in all phases of practice except providing legal advice to clients, appearing in court, and setting fees. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that legal occupations will grow faster than the average for all occupations in the economy through 2018. 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.

Program Learning Outcomes


Upon successful completion of this program, a student will:

  1. Demonstrate the skills necessary to work in an ethical manner in a law office under the supervision of an attorney.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the state and federal court systems.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of legal terminology, substantive law, and legal procedures necessary for a successful legal career.
  4. Demonstrate competency and broad foundational knowledge in the general education curriculum as required by Westchester Community College.

Related Resources


Program Requirements


General Education Requirements - 25 Credits


Students are required to fulfill a certain number of credits within the specific categories shown below. Where specific courses are not listed within these categories, courses must be selected from the list of SUNY General Education Courses .

Humanities (3 credits)


Mathematics (3 credits)


Natural Sciences (4 credits)


Social Sciences (3 credits)


The Arts, Foreign Language, or Other World Civilizations (3 credits)


  • Select a course from ONE of the following categories:

                    The Arts - see SUNY General Education Courses  
                    Foreign Languages - see SUNY General Education Courses 
                    Other World Civilizations - see SUNY General Education Courses  

American History (3 credits)


Select ONE of the following courses:

Degree Requirements - 35 Credits


Minimum Total Credits - 60


Educational Plan: The Educational Plan is an advisement tool that provides important information to students about how to complete this degree. Click to download the Paralegal A.A.S. Educational Plan (PDF) .

Career Path Opportunities


Career Coach: Explore Your Career PathAre you wondering what careers you can explore with a degree or certificate? Perhaps you are not sure what people do or how much money they make in certain careers that pique your interest? Would you like to know how many jobs are predicted to be available in a particular industry? Or maybe you are unsure whether receiving a degree or certificate would be right for you? Go to https://sunywcc.emsicareercoach.com to explore career paths, their associated job descriptions, salary trends, and jobs trends. Complete a career assessment for additional guidance. Still not sure? Visit www.sunywcc.edu/career for more career resources and contacts.

Transfer Opportunities


Westchester Community College is committed to facilitating a smooth transfer process for its incoming and graduating students. To ensure its graduates enjoy a seamless transfer with junior status to another college in the same discipline at both institutions (transferred from/to) and are able to complete a bachelor’s degree within two years of full-time study upon transfer, Westchester Community College has signed Transfer Articulation Agreements with many colleges that offer bachelor’s degree programs. Visit www.sunywcc.edu/transferarticulation to see a list of Articulation Agreements by institution or search by a specific program of study. Visit www.sunywcc.edu/transfer for additional transfer resources and contacts.

Transfer Scholarship Opportunities

Many colleges and universities are eager to have Westchester Community College graduates transfer to their institutions. Consider this an incentive to complete your WCC degrees with high honors!  Go to www.sunywcc.edu/scholarships to view the many transfer scholarship opportunities to four-year colleges.

Getting Started


Are you a prospective Westchester Community College graduate? We look forward to seeing you soon! Apply today, then see the College’s Admissions and Enrollment Checklist.
 

Apply Now

 

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