Riverside City College

Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies

This program prepares individuals to perform research, drafting, investigatory activities, record-keeping, and related Paralegal administrative functions under the supervision of an attorney in a law firm, public or private entity, and/or within a courtroom setting. This includes instruction in legal research, drafting legal documents, appraising, pleading, courthouse procedures, and legal specializations.

Pathway to Law School

The California Community Colleges and the State Bar of California selected Riverside City College to participate in a new initiative that will provide a direct pathway to six of California’s top law schools.

The Community Colleges Pathway to Law School Initiative (CCPLSI) is an unprecedented effort within public higher education to enhance opportunities and advancement in the legal profession for diverse populations, particularly those who have been under-represented.

The initiative, sponsored by the State Bar’s Council on Access and Fairness, established agreements with twenty-seven community colleges and eight law schools and their respective undergraduate institutions. Students in the program will receive assurances that credits in prescribed courses will transfer. Admitted students are required to participate in various CCPLSI activities.

Participating undergraduate and law school institutions are:

• University of California, Berkeley and UC Berkeley School of Law
• University of California, Davis and UC Davis School of Law
• University of California, Irvine and UC Irvine School of Law
• University of California, Los Angeles and UCLA School of Law
• University of Southern California and USC Gould School of Law
• Loyola Marymount University and Loyola Law School
• University of San Francisco and USF School of Law
• Santa Clara University and Santa Clara University School of Law

The Riverside City College Pathway to Law School Initiative requires students to complete seven courses based on a defined set of “success factors” that help make effective lawyers. The transfer initiative will align criteria from these success factors with community college courses already approved in the corresponding Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) to prepare students for law school. Students graduating from our program will earn the title of Law Scholar, which will be recognized by the participating institutions.

Requirements:

• Complete Pathway to Law School Application.
• A Pathway to Law School Student Educational Plan (SEP) with a RCC counselor and submit it with this application.
• Statement of Interest (MLA Style, no more than two pages).
• Have direct contact with a Faculty Champion a minimum of once per month.
• Attend all required program orientations and workshops.
• Complete a progress report each fall and spring semester.
• Enroll in only courses designated on Pathway to Law School Student Education Plan (SEP).
• Complete 30 units each academic year (including spring and summer) — understanding that dropping courses will jeopardize eligibility for this contract.
• Students must maintain the required GPA at the community college and undergraduate institution.
• Participate in Community Service, College Service, and/or Civic Learning activities on or off-campus such as Law Society, Mock Trial, MUN, ASRCC Student Government, ASRCC Supreme Court, or ASRCC Senate

Required Courses:

• English 1A
• English 1B
• Communications 3
• Math 12
• History 6
• Political Science 1
• Business 15
• Interdisciplinary Studies 5