Paralegal/Legal Assistant AAS Degree
Approved by the American Bar Association, the Paralegal/Legal Assistant AAS degree is a two year generalist program which prepares students to work in a variety of legal environments including civil and criminal litigation, insurance, banking, public and governmental agencies, law offices and corporate legal departments. Emphasis is placed on the development of core skills in legal research techniques including compilation and analysis of data, understanding legal vocabulary, preparation of legal documents, and management of a law office. Hands-on experience is gained through two internships in a legal or law-related setting. South Suburban College’s Paralegal program is structured to help you meet your goals. You can enroll in conveniently offered courses. Some courses may also be taken through distance learning or online. A student who is able to successfully complete the Paralegal Program will have done so after demonstrating adequate skills in each of the program competencies.
Admission Requirements
Forward all high school and college transcripts directly to the Office of Admissions and Records. A person can take paralegal classes without being in the paralegal program. However, a person must be in the paralegal program in order to take any of the legal research and writing classes and the internship classes. To be accepted into the Paralegal program, students must have a high school diploma or GED and must complete the following:
- an application for admission to the program
- successfully complete ENG 101, PLA 101 and BLW 201 with a grade point of 2.66
- complete a resume
- submit three letters of reference and copies of all college transcripts to the Program Coordinator
Upon completion of the above requirements schedule a personal interview with the Program Coordinator.
Transfer of Legal Specialty Coursework
A maximum of nine (9) credit hours of legal specialty (PLA) courses may be transferred into the program from nationally accredited, ABA- approved, American Association for Paralegal Education (AAPE)- affiliated Legal Studies Programs. These courses must be substantially similar to an existing South Suburban College course and the awarding of this credit must be pre-approved by a qualified faculty member (counselor).
Students must complete ALL Paralegal (PLA) program and Business Law (BLW) course requirements with a grade"C" or better.
Business & Technology baccalaureate degree option available at GSU.
Note: Paralegals may not provide Legal Services directly to the public except as permitted by law.
Paralegal/Legal Assistant Associates Degree (AAS-0531)
| Cluster 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 101 | Composition and Rhetoric [1] | 3 |
| PLA 101 | Fundamentals of Paralegalism [1] | 3 |
| BLW 201 | Introduction to Business Law [1] | 3 |
| OAT 172 | Business Communications [2] | 3 |
| MIS 101 | Computer Literacy and Applications [4] | 3 |
| PSC 101 HIS 204 | American National Government OR Later American History | 3 |
| Cluster 2 | Credits | |
| BLW 202 | Intermediate Business Law [2] | 3 |
| PLA 201 | Evidence and Investigation [2] | 3 |
| PLA 202 | Litigation [2] | 3 |
| PLA 203 | Legal Research and Writing I [1] [2] [6] | 3 |
| SPE 108 | Oral Communication [2] | 3 |
| OAT 128 | Word | 3 |
| Cluster 3 | Credits | |
| PLA 205 | Legal Research and Writing II [1] [5] | 3 |
| PLA 204 | Internship I [1] [3] | 3 |
| BUS 105 | Business Mathematics | 3 |
| Program Elective | 3 | |
| Program Elective | 3 | |
| Humanities Elective (See Program Coordinator for ABA approved Humanities Electives) | 3 | |
| Cluster 4 | Credits | |
| PLA 103 | Law Office Technology | 3 |
| PLA 206 | Internship II [1] [3] | 3 |
| Program Elective | 3 | |
| Program Elective | 3 | |
| GROUP V | Physical and Life Science Elective | 3 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Minimum for Degree: | 72 | |
- Courses must be taken before application can be made for program admittance.
- Courses must be taken before serving internship.
- Students must have been accepted into the Program and have obtained the written consent of the instructor before registering for an internship.
- Section using Microsoft Office Professional.
- PLA 205 may be taken concurrently with PLA 204.
- Students must have been accepted into the Program and have obtained the written consent of the instructor before registering for an internship.
Students must complete ALL Paralegal (PLA) and Business Law (BLW) course requirements with a grade of “C” or better.
For more information, please contact Mr. William Goren, Paralegal Coordinator, (708) 596-2000 ext. 2579.
