Associate of Science - Paralegal/Legal Assistant (S0310)

The paralegal program is intended to prepare students for employment as paralegals in both private and public sectors following graduation. The American Bar Association (ABA) By-Laws Section 21.12 uses the terms paralegal and legal assistant interchangeably referring to persons who, although not members of the legal profession, are qualified through education, training, or work experience and are employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, governmental agency, or other entity in a capacity or function which involves the performance, under the direction and supervision of an attorney, of specifically delegated substantive legal work. Paralegals/legal assistants must comply with the legal restrictions in the practice of law by nonlawyer. The California Business & Professions Code, Section 6450 et seq, governs paralegals in California. The American Bar Association does not recognize the following courses as meeting its definition of General Education: ARTB 14, ARTD 15A, ARTD 20, ARTD 25A, ARTS 30A, ARTS 40A, THTR 11, MUS 7, AD 3, COUN 5, and the Physical Wellbeing Course Requirement. Students developing their educational plan should select another course from the Mt. SAC General Education area which will satisfy that area’s General Education requirement.