Legal Studies
Program Description
If you’re interested in being a part of an exciting profession that impacts every area of our lives, then becoming a paralegal or legal assistant is the right career for you. What does a paralegal or legal assistant do? They support attorneys by doing important legal tasks, including assisting attorneys during trials, organizing and managing case files, conducting legal research, preparing legal briefs, filing legal documents, and interviewing clients and witnesses. The Legal Studies program will challenge you intellectually and provide the skills needed to work in this exciting field.
In the Legal Studies program, we study law to understand the foundation our society is built upon, the laws created to protect us, and the rules we are bound to respect. We learn to think critically about current legal issues and develop skills needed to work under the direction of an attorney. According to the Department of Labor, as more people will require additional legal services, the demand for paralegals is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2024. Also, if you already have an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in any area, this program can provide you with the legal basics needed while you’re building upon the areas you’ve already completed. The Legal Studies Certificate Program provides you with an educational foundation to help you transfer to a pre-law program or related field of study and to work in all areas of the legal system, including courts, law firms, and government agencies.
* Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.
Transfer Preparation
Transfer students are advised to do research on prospective majors and careers. The MSJC Transfer Center and MSJC catalog can be helpful tools. Students interested in transferring to CSU’s or UC’s can access major preparation by visiting ASSIST. All students are advised to meet with a counselor at least once a semester to create or update their comprehensive education plan.
Contact Information
San Jacinto/Menifee Campus
(951) 487-MSJC (6752)/ (951) 672-6752
1-800-624-5561/ 1-800-452-3335
Arnita Porter
aporter@msjc.edu
Dean of Instruction, Career Education (951) 639-5352
careereducation@msjc.edu
- Analyze information and legal considerations to assist the attorney in decision-making and advise to clients.
- Conduct legal and non-legal research using correct legal methods.
- Draft commercial documents, agency filings, court pleadings and agreements using correct formatting and editing skills.
- Explain the theoretical foundation of the legal environment to understand the legal system.
- Student will be able to draft a legal memorandum and a pleading following court rules relating to captions.
Discover in-demand careers and education options based on your interests! See the list of careers below or explore further by searching for Careers or Programs.
Note: There are no guaranteed positions for students completing these programs. Education and work experience required will vary by employer. The salary and benefits for specific occupations will be dependent on work experience, education, background, and employer. Labor market statistics are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau, O-NET, EMSI.
| Career/Industries | CA Annual Median Salary or Range | Employment Demand or Opening CA |
|---|---|---|
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers (SM, C, B) | $73,314 | 563 |
| Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants (SM, A, B) | $59,948 | 2,471 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants (C, A, B) | $73,631 | 4,857 |
| Court, Municpal, and License Clerks (SM, A, B) | $58,772 | 1,678 |
(degree required: SM some college, C: Certificate, A: Associate degree, B: Bachelor’s degree, M: Master’s degree, D: Doctorate)
Career field may be wide and varied. See a counselor or SUCCESS! Coach for more information.