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Paralegal/Legal Assistant
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Contact: Abby Wood, Esq.Title: Program CoordinatorContact: awood10@mtsac.edu
Career Outlook Paralegal/Legal Assistant

Business Division
Degree S0310

The paralegal program is intended to prepare students for employment as paralegals in both private and public sectors following graduation. The American Bar Association (ABA) By-Laws Section 21.12 uses the terms paralegal and legal assistant interchangeably referring to persons who, although not members of the legal profession, are qualified through education, training, or work experience and are employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, governmental agency, or other entity in a capacity or function which involves the performance, under the direction and supervision of an attorney, of specifically delegated substantive legal work. Paralegals/legal assistants must comply with the legal restrictions in the practice of law by nonlawyer. The California Business & Professions Code, Section 6450 et seq, governs paralegals in California. The American Bar Association does not recognize the following courses as meeting its definition of General Education: ARTB 14, ARTD 15A, ARTD 20, ARTD 25A, ARTS 30A, ARTS 40A, THTR 11, MUS 7, AD 3, COUN 5, and the Physical Wellbeing Course Requirement. Students developing their educational plan should select another course from the Mt. SAC General Education area which will satisfy that area’s General Education requirement.

This degree requires the completion of General Education coursework plus the following:

Required Courses

*Please note: The Mt. SAC Paralegal/Legal Assistant Associate in Science Degree program is approved by the ABA and is the only Mt. SAC program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). The eDiscovery and Litigation Support Certificate is a separate and distinct certificate which does not prepare students for a career as a paralegal and is not approved by the ABA nor is it an approved program option of the Paralegal Degree. A paralegal shall perform work under the direction and supervision of an active member of the State Bar of California or other entity authorized under California law. A paralegal may not provide legal advice or engage in conduct that constitutes the unauthorized practice of law. (Business & Professions Code §§ 6450, 6451).

Industry StatisticsJob Titles & Salaries
Select a related job title below to view demand & salary information
    • Compliance Officers

      Compliance Officers

      SOC Career Code: 13-1041.00

      Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $30.67

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $84,783.28
      Annual Job Openings
      4,708

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Paralegals and Legal Assistants

      Paralegals and Legal Assistants

      SOC Career Code: 23-2011.00

      Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $27.47

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $73,629.67
      Annual Job Openings
      5,014

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers

      Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers

      SOC Career Code: 23-2093.00

      Search real estate records, examine titles, or summarize pertinent legal or insurance documents or details for a variety of purposes. May compile lists of mortgages, contracts, and other instruments pertaining to titles by searching public and private records for law firms, real estate agencies, or title insurance companies.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $26.84

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $73,312.12
      Annual Job Openings
      575

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Legal Secretaries

      Legal Secretaries

      SOC Career Code: 43-6012.00

      Perform secretarial duties using legal terminology, procedures, and documents. Prepare legal papers and correspondence, such as summonses, complaints, motions, and subpoenas. May also assist with legal research.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $24.08

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $59,947.69
      Annual Job Openings
      2,471

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages

Certificate & Degree Details

Select a certificate below to expand details
  • Paralegal/Legal Assistant

    Business Division
    Degree S0310

    The paralegal program is intended to prepare students for employment as paralegals in both private and public sectors following graduation. The American Bar Association (ABA) By-Laws Section 21.12 uses the terms paralegal and legal assistant interchangeably referring to persons who, although not members of the legal profession, are qualified through education, training, or work experience and are employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, governmental agency, or other entity in a capacity or function which involves the performance, under the direction and supervision of an attorney, of specifically delegated substantive legal work. Paralegals/legal assistants must comply with the legal restrictions in the practice of law by nonlawyer. The California Business & Professions Code, Section 6450 et seq, governs paralegals in California. The American Bar Association does not recognize the following courses as meeting its definition of General Education: ARTB 14, ARTD 15A, ARTD 20, ARTD 25A, ARTS 30A, ARTS 40A, THTR 11, MUS 7, AD 3, COUN 5, and the Physical Wellbeing Course Requirement. Students developing their educational plan should select another course from the Mt. SAC General Education area which will satisfy that area’s General Education requirement.

    This degree requires the completion of General Education coursework plus the following:

    Required Courses

    Course Prefix Course Name Units
    PLGL 30Introduction to Paralegal/Legal3
    PLGL 31Legal Analysis and Writing3
    PLGL 32Advanced Legal Analysis and Writing3
    PLGL 33Civil Procedure3
    PLGL 34Law Office Procedures3
    PLGL 35Law Office Technology3
    PLGL 37Tort Law3
    PLGL 38Employment and Ethical Issues in Paralegalism3
    PLGL 39Contract Law3
    Required Electives
    Choose one course from the following:3
    BUSL 18
    Business Law
    BUSL 19
    Advanced Business Law
    PLGL 41
    Property Law
    PLGL 42
    Family Law
    PLGL 43
    Wills and Trusts
    PLGL 44
    Bankruptcy Law
    PLGL 48
    Criminal Law and Procedures
    PLGL 49
    Evidence Law
    Total Units30

    Paralegal Program Website 

Contacts

Department Contact

Contact: Abby Wood, Esq.Title: Program CoordinatorContact: awood10@mtsac.edu

Office Contact

Location: Building 78-3190-CPhone: (909) 274 - 5464