Program description
Paralegal Associate in Science Degree
The paralegal profession has consistently been considered a positive growth profession at national, state and regional levels; and has been named one of the top 100 occupations in the Central Valley.
Paralegals support attorneys by performing legal research, drafting legal document, and performing interviews and investigations. Paralegals frequently engage in client contact including interviews and case status updates, and they are often the first line of communication between a firm and its clients.
The Paralegal Program at Fresno City College was one of the first of its kind in the region. It continues to provide comprehensive, top-quality training for persons interested in a career as a professional paralegal. Courses are taught primarily by practicing attorneys and seasoned paralegals that bring to the classroom their knowledge of the law, and experiences informed by work in the field.
The program offers both an Associate in Science degree in Paralegal Studies and a Certificate of Achievement in Paralegal Studies. Upon completion of 37 semester-units in the major, graduates of the program meet the paralegal definition requirement established by California law. In addition, all students in the program are required to complete an internship equal to 4 semester units.
Admission requirements
International Students and Scholars Admission Requirements
To determine whether you are eligible for admission to our Fresno City College International Program, please review the following Admission Requirements, and submit the completed checklist with your other application materials:
- Student must be 18 years old prior to the start of the semester
- Affidavit of Support Form
- Cost of Attendance Acknowledgement Form
- Financial Documents
- TOEFL or IELTS Exam Results – Waived if student Graduated from a U.S. High School and/or if English is an official language of home country
- TOEFL Score Requirement Score of 500 Paper Based Test (PBT) or 61 Internet Based Test (iBT) required from students applying from their home country. If a student attended and completed an English Language Training Program in the U.S. we will consider accepting a score of 460 PBT or 48 iBT. Transcripts will be required from English Training Program for review.
- IELTS Score Requirement Overall Band Score of 5.5 required from students applying from home country with at least 5.0 in each subsection (Listening, reading, Writing, and Speaking). If a student attended and completed an English Language Training Program in the U.S. we will consider accepting an Overall Band Score of 5.0. Transcripts will be required from English Training Program for review.
- High School Graduation Requirement Official Graduation Certificate/Diploma, transcripts, and/or equivalent evidence of graduation from a Secondary School or its equivalent are required. If records are not in English, certified translation must be furnished.
For more information about admission requirement, please visit the university website.
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Learn moreProgram content
Required Core Courses
- Law and the Legal System
- Microsoft Word I
- Microsoft Word II
- Introduction to Paralegalism
- Legal Research & Writing I
- Legal Research & Writing II
- Litigation I
- Litigation II
- Law Office Administration and Ethics
- Law Office Computing
- Work Experience (Cooperative) Occupational (300 hours)
Scholarships & funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the university website for more information.
Tuition fees
International and Out-of-State student fees for spring 2021 : $3480.00 per 12 credit units
For more information about tuition fees, please visit the university website.
Qualification
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Describe the nature and historical development of the field of paralegalism, the ethical rules applicable to paralegals and the role of the paralegal in today’s law office.
- Demonstrate basic legal research, analysis and writing skills in preparing basic legal documents.
- Define basic legal terminology and explain the basic substantive and procedural concepts applicable to American civil and criminal law.
- Demonstrate basic proficiency in certain selected computer software programs used in the law office for: legal forms preparation, time and billing, calendaring, litigation support and case management.
Contact school
About this institute
Fresno City College
FCC provides the first two years of American university education to help you get where you want to be. Students will receive an American education at an affordable cost. Our students enjoy and benefit from individualized staff guidance, academic counseling,...
Contact info
Fresno City College
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