Legal Studies Certificate
If you’re interested in being a part of an exciting profession that impacts every area of our lives, then becoming a legal assistant or paralegal is the right career for you. But what does a legal assistant, or paralegal, do? Basically, they help the attorneys they work for keep things organized and on track by doing important legal tasks. This can include assisting attorneys during trials, organizing and managing case files, performing legal research, preparing legal briefs, filing legal documents, and conducting client and witness interviews. The Legal Studies program will challenge you intellectually and provide you with 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 give you the legal basics a paralegal needs to know while building upon the areas you’ve already completed. The Legal Studies Certificate provides you with the educational foundation to help you 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.
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Design Your Future!
Begin by exploring MSJC program maps to find career or transfer opportunities. Program maps show the recommended course sequence that leads to graduation or transfer. The maps were developed by program experts to give you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.
- Starting in Spring? Choose Fall Semester 1 courses.
- Are you a part-time student? Start Fall Semester 1 courses and follow the course sequence.
| Fall Semester 1 | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| LEG-100 | Foundations of the Legal System | 3 |
| LEG-505 | California Civil Procedure (formerly LEG-105) | 3 |
| LEG-507 | Research and Writing for Legal Assistant (formerly LEG-107) | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Criminal Law | ||
| Criminal Evidence | ||
| Criminal Procedures | ||
| Introduction to Probation and Parole (formerly AJ-115) | ||
| Units | 12 | |
| Spring Semester 1 | ||
| LEG-512 | Administrative Law (formerly LEG-112) | 3 |
| LEG-534 | Family Law (formerly LEG-134) | 3 |
| LEG-560 | Business Organizations (formerly LEG-160) | 3 |
| LEG-524 | Immigration Law (formerly LEG-124) | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Cooperative Work Experience: Legal Assistant (formerly LEG-149) | ||
| General Work Experience (formerly CWE-149) | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Criminal Evidence | ||
| Criminal Procedures | ||
| Introduction to Probation and Parole (formerly AJ-115) | ||
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 27 | |
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | ||
| LEG-100 | Foundations of the Legal System | 3 |
| LEG-505 | California Civil Procedure (formerly LEG-105) | 3 |
| LEG-507 | Research and Writing for Legal Assistant (formerly LEG-107) | 3 |
| LEG-512 | Administrative Law (formerly LEG-112) | 3 |
| LEG-534 | Family Law (formerly LEG-134) | 3 |
| LEG-560 | Business Organizations (formerly LEG-160) | 3 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select 3 from the following: | 9 | |
| Elder Law (formerly LEG-103) | ||
| Cooperative Work Experience: Legal Assistant (formerly LEG-149) | ||
or CWE-549 | General Work Experience (formerly CWE-149) | |
| Immigration Law (formerly LEG-124) | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Criminal Evidence | ||
| Criminal Procedures | ||
| Introduction to Probation and Parole (formerly AJ-115) | ||
| Total Units | 27 | |
Discover information about careers that interest you!
- Take a Career Quiz to learn about yourself and receive career suggestions based on your interests.
- Search available in-demand jobs in your career areas of interest and find up-to-date salaries and education requirements.
- Find the MSJC Program that connects your interests to a career.
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.
Gainful Employment Disclosures: Legal Assistant
Gainful Employment Disclosures – 2024
Program Name LEGAL ASSISTANT
This program is designed to be completed in 12 months.
This program will cost $1,242 if completed within normal time. There may be additional costs for living expenses. These costs were accurate at the time of posting, but may have changed.
Of the students who completed this program within normal time, the typical graduate leaves with $0 of debt.
The following States do not have licensure requirements for this profession: California
For more information about graduation rates, loan repayment rates, and post-enrollment earnings about this institution and other postsecondary institutions please click here: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
NOTE:
Cost per unit $46
Nonresident Fees- Tuition: $318
Capital Outlay: $58
Parking Permits cost $90 a year or $45 a semester
RTA Go Pass cost $16 a year or $8 a semester
SGA discount sticker (optional) - $14 a year or $7 a semester
Student representation fee (optional) - $4 a year or $2 a semester
Student Health Center Fee - $52 a year or $26 a semester
*For summer session fees and non-CA resident tuition, please see: https://www.msjc.edu/enroll/what-fees-do-i-have-to-pay.html