May 16, 2024  
2024-2025 Arapahoe Community College Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Arapahoe Community College Catalog

Paralegal AAS - Academic Plan


Total Credits = 60

Paralegals play an important role in assisting attorneys to provide affordable legal services.


ACC’s American Bar Association – approved Paralegal Program provides a solid foundation of knowledge and practical experience to prepare students for this profession. While paralegals may not practice law, they work under the supervision of attorneys in private law firms or businesses, as well as in many government agencies. Tasks performed by paralegals include interviewing, investigation, research, preparing legal forms, assisting attorneys in court and other activities.


Please contact the Paralegal Program Chair or Coordinator if you have questions about the academic requirements.

Program Outcomes


  • Apply critical thinking and analysis skills to legal situations.
  • Exhibit basic legal knowledge by locating and analyzing local laws and legal processes.
  • Develop written research assignments that focus on communicating legal research and outcomes.
  • Exemplify entry-level career preparedness in a real-world employment setting.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of professional ethics.
     

Prerequisites, Corequisites, and Recommendations


Where requirements are listed as course categories (e.g. Electives, Arts/Humanities) rather than as specific courses, please note that depending upon course choice, prerequisites may be required.

*Grade C or better required

Required Course Prerequisite, Corequisite, or Recommendation
ENG 1021 - English Composition I: GT-CO1   Prerequisite: College Readiness in English
ENG 1022 - English Composition II: GT-CO2   Prerequisites: ENG 1021 - English Composition I: GT-CO1  or ENG 1031 - Technical Writing I: GT-CO1  
PAR 1114 - Computers and the Law   Prerequisites: PAR 1110 - Legal Analysis  and PAR 1115 - Introduction to Law  
PAR 1116 - Torts   Corequisites: PAR 1110 - Legal Analysis  and PAR 1115 - Introduction to Law  
PAR 1118 - Contracts   Corequisites: PAR 1110 - Legal Analysis  and PAR 1115 - Introduction to Law  
PAR 2201 - Civil Litigation   Prerequisites: PAR 1110 - Legal Analysis PAR 1115 - Introduction to Law  and PAR 1116 - Torts  
PAR 2211 - Legal Research   Prerequisites: PAR 1110 - Legal Analysis PAR 1115 - Introduction to Law PAR 1116 - Torts , and PAR 1118 - Contracts  
PAR 2219 - E-Discovery and Litigation Technology   Prerequisites: PAR 1110 - Legal Analysis , PAR 1114 - Computers and the Law , PAR 1115 - Introduction to Law , PAR 1116 - Torts , and PAR 2201 - Civil Litigation  
PAR 2087 - Cooperative Education   Prerequisites: PAR 1110 - Legal Analysis , PAR 1115 - Introduction to Law , PAR 1116 - Torts , PAR 1118 - Contracts , and PAR 2201 - Civil Litigation  

 

Recommended Course Sequence (Full-Time)


Year 2 - Summer


Recommended Course Sequence (Part-Time)


Year 1 - Summer


Year 2 - Fall


Year 2 - Summer


Year 3 - Fall


Year 3 - Spring


Year 3 - Summer


Notes


  • *This course requires college level readiness as measured by Accuplacer, ACT, or SAT scores; approved high school course work that is less than five years old; or successful completion of appropriate college-readiness course.
  • AAA 1001  – College 101: Student Experience is required for all new college students seeking degrees or transfer.
  • Course availability is subject to change. Please consult the Paralegal Program for specific course planning information and official advising. Students should use DegreeCheck (available via myACC) to monitor progress toward completion.
  • In order to meet program requirements, students registered for ENG 1021  or ENG 1031  must also register for ENG 0094  unless they can demonstrate otherwise meeting the ENG 0094  standard through assessment testing, prior college coursework, or recent High School coursework. See an Advisor for details.
  • Recommended GT courses may be listed above for certain electives; consult with the Academic Advising Office (advising@arapahoe.edu or 303.797.5664) for additional elective recommendations.
  • Paralegal Electives: Select three (3) courses from the following, PAR 1117  Family Law, PAR 1126  Administrative Law, PAR 1127  Legal Ethics, PAR 2202  Evidence, PAR 2205  Criminal Law, PAR 2207  Current Issues in the Law, PAR 2208  Probate and Estates, PAR 2215  Alternative Dispute Resolution, PAR 2216  Employment Law, PAR 2217  Environmental Law, PAR 2218  Bankruptcy Law, PAR 2219  E-Discovery and Litigation Technology, PAR 2227  Immigration Law, PAR 2228  Intellectual Property. Paralegal electives are offered on a rotating basis. Not all Paralegal electives are offered every semester. The pre-requisites for all Paralegal electives are PAR 1110  Legal Analysis and PAR 1115  Introduction to Law.
  • The Paralegal Program at ACC is ABA-approved and Paralegal course content is demanding and rigorous. The program strongly encourages that students take no more than four paralegal classes per semester.
  • Students must apply for graduation; visit www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
  • Information regarding median loan debt, completion and placement rates, occupations and tuition / fees may be found at www.arapahoe.edu/gainful.
  • Refer to 2024/2025 catalog for specific requirements and important information about this degree.