There is a growing need for trained paralegals who know substantive law and administrative procedures required by the law and the court systems. The paralegal performs various legal tasks under the supervision of attorneys, including conducting legal research and drafting legal documents. Paralegals provide staff support for attorneys in a law office or in a legal setting. Many of these tasks are done by attorneys; however, under the law, they could be provided by paralegals under the supervision of an attorney. The Associate in Arts degree in Paralegal Studies will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the Major course requirements and the General Education requirements.

The Law and Society Program involves the study of law and legal systems as they relate to the larger societies of which they are a part. While the program is of special interest to students who plan careers in government service or law, many of the majors simply share a desire to understand the role of law in society.

The law and society major seeks to understand the nature of law and legal institutions from a variety of perspectives. The major is interdisciplinary with major responsibility in the Political Science Department and electives offered by the Administration of Justice Department. The program is designed to benefit both those who desire a liberal education and the student who intends to enter graduate or law school. The major provides preparation for transfer into four-year colleges and universities, especially the University of California at Santa Barbara.

This program is designed to educate and train paralegals to work independently under attorneys' supervision in all areas of law. Graduates are prepared for careers in law firms, insurance companies, government agencies, title companies, banks, and corporations.

Students enrolled in our courses will be able to critically evaluate issues, understand issues from multiple viewpoints, and analyze how they are relevant. Ultimately, students will be able to identify how their governing institutions work to unlock their own potential to bring positive change at the community, state, and national levels.

The Administration of Justice program prepares students for careers in law enforcement or corrections, such as police officer, detective, and parole officer.