Paralegal, AAS (PLG.AAS)

The Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to enter the paralegal profession, to work in a variety of law-related professions, and to prepare for further studies in law. A paralegal is a legal assistant who is qualified by education, training, or work experience and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for a law office, corporation, government agency, or other entity under the supervision of a responsible lawyer. The degree includes studies in a variety of areas: ethical rules for members of the legal community; strategies for conducting legal research; basic legal writing skills; skills in interpreting legal documents; strategies for understanding and interpreting case law; investigating the facts of a case; preparing a case for trial; analyzing and handling procedural problems; and an overview of law. Students who earn the Paralegal, AAS, will have the necessary skills to gain employment in such careers as paralegals, title examiners, trust officers, contract clerks, legal investigators, and law firm administrators. Students wishing to transfer to four-year institutions will have the academic foundation applicable to various career fields in law. Successful completion of this program will also qualify students to sit for the Arizona Legal Document Preparer Examination. Note that except as specifically authorized by the Supreme Court of Arizona, persons not admitted to the State Bar of Arizona are prohibited from practicing law. For more information regarding the Paralegal, AAS, see the Paralegal webpage.

Note: For a course to be eligible for transfer, the student must receive a “C” or better. Acceptance of a transfer course is determined by the receiving institution.

Program Student Learning Outcomes: 
Upon completion of the program students will be able to:

1. Use and understand legal terminology needed to communicate effectively with attorneys, clients, court personnel, and other individuals within the legal profession, through written, oral, and technological means. (2, 6)
2. Identify, explain, and abide by the ethical rules governing the conduct of legal professionals, including the requirement that paralegals work under the direct supervision of lawyers and the ramifications of performing an unauthorized practice of law. (3, 4)
3. Research complex legal issues using traditional print and electronic sources, and to identify, use, and explain the different types of primary and secondary authorities. (3, 5, 6)
4. Apply legal reasoning and critical thinking skills to identify and interpret legal issues within factual scenarios. (2,3,5)
5. Prepare a variety of legal documents for attorney review, including inter- and outer-office correspondence, pleadings, motions, proposed orders, and documents specific to the different areas of law. (2, 5, 6)
6. Understand the procedures and hierarchy of the U.S. Judicial System and the various powers of the state and federal courts. (2, 4)