Paralegal Studies

Law and Order, Opinion and Evidence

Our Paralegal Studies program, which is approved by the American Bar Association, will teach you how to navigate the field of law from the ground level up. You will learn how to conduct legal research and writing, draft legal documents, analyze legal problems and develop effective client relationships. During your first course in Paralegal Studies, a professional within the local legal community will mentor you on the realities of a career in law. If you already have a college degree, you may choose our program’s accelerated option, which enables you to earn a paralegal degree in as few as eight months. Our program also offers a range of optional activities, such as internships, guest lectures and field trips, guidance in developing job interview skills and résumés, job placement assistance, and student clubs and newsletters. Community College of Philadelphia trains paralegals who must operate under the supervision of a licensed attorney and are prohibited from practicing law.

All students seeking the A.A.S degree are advised that they must complete 9 credit hours of legal specialty classes in a traditional face-to-face/remote synchronous classroom format. Courses in a traditional face-to-face/remote synchronous format include those meeting entirely in the classroom and classroom hours of hybrid sections. Legal specialty classes are those designed by PLS. Students are urged to meet with a paralegal advisor prior to registering for courses and are cautioned that a degree will not be awarded until this requirement is met.

Career Options

Careers

Find your path.

Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants – est. salary $58,615
Compliance Officer – est. salary $83,508
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers
– est. salary $56,795*

 **EMSI Data, 2022; The greater Philadelphia region; a percentage of people in these jobs may have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Transfer Opportunities

Courses and Completion Sequence

The following courses and sequence of courses is designed for the optimal success and completion of the Paralegal Studies degree/certificate. Any alterations should be discussed with your academic advisor.

Semester 1

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
ENGL 101 - English Composition I or
ENGL 101H - English Composition I (Honors)
    Writing, Research, Info Lit 1

In consultation with advisor, select one of the following:
FNMT 118 - Intermediate Algebra or 
MATH 121 - Computer Mathematics and Logic or
MATH 137 - Geometry for Design or
MATH 150 - Introductory Data Analysis

3 credits  Must be FNMT 118 ready Quantitative Reasoning requirement
PLS 101 - Introduction to Paralegal Studies 3 credits PLS 101, along with PLS 121 and DF 101 (select as a general elective) will enable students to also earn the Proficiency Certificate in E-discovery. Major Course
DF 101 - Introduction to Digital Forensics or
PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology or
PSYC 101H - 101H Introduction to Psychology (Honors) or
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology or
SOC 101H - Introduction to Sociology (Honors)
3 credits Students interested in the Electronic Discovery proficiency certificate should take DF 101.
PSYC 101 is a prerequisite for PSYC 222 in the fourth semester.
SOC 101 is a prerequisite for SOC 215 and SOC 233 in the fourth semester.
 
JUS 122 - Race and Justice or
GS 101 - Introduction to Gender Studies or
SOC 115 - Gender and Society
3 credits   Cultural Analysis & Interpretation

Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all courses and minimum GPA of 2.5 in major courses.
Student interested in transfer options should meet with Paralegal faculty.
Participation in the Criminal Justice, Paralegal and Social Science Career Fair is encouraged.
Participation in networking and service learning opportunities offered by the Fox Rothschild Center for Law and Society is encouraged.

  • This program is designed to provide students with the option of entering the workforce or transferring to a bachelor's degree program after earning their associate's degree
  • Follow this course schedule each semester and you’ll earn your associate’s degree in two years
  • Make sure you discuss your first semester schedule and your educational plan with an advisor or counselor when you register.

Semester 2

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
ENGL 102 - The Research Paper or
ENGL 102H - The Research Paper (Honors)
3 credits   Writing, Research, Info Lit 2
PLS 111 - Legal Research and Writing I 3 credits   Major Course
PLS 115 - Legal Technology 3 credits   Technological Competency
EASC 111 - Environmental Conservation or
EASC 111H - Environmental Conservation (Honors) or
BIOL 106 - General Biology I or
BIOL 104 - Forensic Biology
3 or 4 credits   Scientific Reasoning
PLS 121 - Civil Litigation I 3  credits Note that PLS 101, along with PLS 121 and DF 101 (select as a general elective) will enable students to also earn the proficiency certificate in E-discovery also. Major Course

Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA overall, which will enable them to take an internship their last semester.
Students connect with the program's career assistance services and develop their first Paralegal resume.
Service learning and networking opportunities are provided through the Fox Rothschild Center for Law and Society. Students have the opportunity to hear from and meet legal professionals each spring during Law and Society Week.

Semester 3

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
JUS 171 - Juvenile Justice or
POLS 111 - American Government or
POLS 111H - American Government (Honors) or
World Language
3 credits    
ENGL 116 - Interpersonal Communication or
ENGL 117 - Group and Team Communication or
ENGL 118 - Intercultural Communication 
3 credits    
PLS 211 - Legal Research and Writing II 3 credits   Major Course
Choose two PLS electives: 
PLS 215 - eDiscovery
PLS 221 - Civil Litigation II
PLS 231 - Family Law
PLS 241 - Tort Law
JUS 241 - Criminal Law
PLS 251 - Real Estate Law
PLS 255 - Business Organizations
PLS 261 - Wills, Trusts & Estates
PLS 275 - Employment Law
PLS 281 - Environmental Law
PLS 285 - Immigration Law
PLS 295 - Legal Internship
6 credits  Please see the catalog for course prerequisites Directed Elective 

Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA overall, which will enable them to take an internship their last semester.
Students connect with the program's career assistance services and develop their first Paralegal resume. Students receive regular job listings and other program notices.
Participation in networking and service learning opportunities offered by the Fox Rothschild Center for Law and Society is encouraged.

Semester 4

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
In consultation with advisor, select two:
DF 101 - Introduction to Digital Forensics (for students interested in e-discovery proficiency certificate) or
PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology or
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology or
ENGL 190 - Introduction to Literature or
ENGL 205 - Creative Writing
6 credits    Directed Elective
Choose three PLS electives:
PLS 215 - eDiscovery
PLS 221 - Civil Litigation II
PLS 231 - Family Law
PLS 241 - Tort Law
JUS 241 - Criminal Law
PLS 251 - Real Estate Law
PLS 255 - Business Organizations
PLS 261 - Wills, Trusts & Estates
PLS 275 - Employment Law
PLS 281 - Environmental Law
PLS 285 - Immigration Law
PLS 295 - Legal Internship
9 Credits 

Please see the catalog for course prerequisites

Directed Elective 

Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA overall.
Students complete a professional resume, either in the PLS 295, Legal Internship or with the assistance of the Paralegal faculty and Career Staff.
Service learning and networking opportunities provided through the Fox Rothschild Center for Law and Society.
Students have the opportunity to hear from and meet legal professionals each spring during Law and Society Week.

  • Congratulations, this is your final semester! Don’t forget to complete your graduation application.
  • Meet with an advisor when registering for your classes
  • Finalize your transfer plans:
  • Take advantage of our scholarship opportunities for transferring students and apply for a scholarship
  • Visit Career Connections to learn about internships and your future career possibilities

General Education Requirements:

All general education requirements necessary for graduation are met through the courses in the program as indicated above. Students who wish to take courses that differ from the general education courses indicated above must complete a course substitution request form. To access the form, login to the MyCCP portal, and in the Student tab, under Electronic Forms, click on the Records and Registration Forms link, then choose Request For Course Substitution Of Graduation Requirement link. A more detailed explanation of the College's general education requirements is also available.

Featured Career

Program Information

“It’s been invigorating and exciting. I’m happy to be on a new path that will lead me to a great job. . . It’s been such an amazing learning experience.”

Amanda Hull Green
program graduate, 2014