Paralegal Studies, AAS

Room: B-Building, B-327

Phone: (718) 482-5600

About

This major will prepare students with the knowledge and skills needed to work with teams that support the legal interests and needs of individuals, companies, and society.  Paralegals support the work of attorneys conducting legal research; drafting legal correspondences, motions, briefs, etc; Interviewing witnesses, communicating with clients, training and supporting coworkers with using databases, researching legal issues.

The Paralegal Certificate is a great choice for students who have already earned an Associate’s degree or higher and wish to explore their interest in legal work. Students of the Paralegal Certificate program are introduced to Paralegal work in the four required courses and then choose two of our eight law electives for a total of 18 credits.

Transferring to LaGuardia
Students who have completed paralegal courses at other accredited institutions who wish to transfer those credits to LaGuardia Community College’s Paralegal Studies Program may request a review of those credits by the program director. The credits will be evaluated carefully to assure comparability in nature, content and level of credit. See additional information. For the evaluation, the following must included:

  • A school catalog/bulletin from the institution; and
  • A course syllabus from the specific paralegal course.

 

Transferability is based on the following:

  • Comparability of the course including evaluation of practical assignments;
  • Assurance that the student will have at least 9 semester credits of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction;
  • Credit for courses more than seven years old cannot be transferred into the program.
  • Documented proof that the grade received was a ‘C’ or above;
  • Transfer credits in the student’s major will be limited to nine credits for associate students and six credits for the Certificate program.

 

With respect to legal specialty courses, transfer of international credits or credits from schools that are not ABA-approved will be up to the discretion of the Program Director. In addition, coursed developed and taught in departments other than paralegal or legal studies program or courses that address theoretical content without a component of paralegal proficiencies and legal ethics, such as criminal justice or political science, generally do not qualify as legal specialty courses.

CLEP and challenge examinations will not be given for paralegal courses.

Are You Interested In...

  • Law and legal cases?
  • Research?
  • Developing legal arguments to support a point of view?
  • Engaging in discussions about complex issues?
  • Volunteering and engaging with your community?

Skills You Will Learn

  • Legal research using NexisUni, Westlaw, CUNY School of Law Library, etc.
  • Drafting legal correspondences, memorandums, pleadings, discoveries, motions, briefs, etc.
  • Interviewing witnesses and communicating with clients
  • Training and supporting co-workers using legal databases

What makes this major unique?

LaGuardia’s Paralegal program is approved by the American Bar Association. The Paralegal AAS degree can lead to direct employment as a paralegal or students can follow other law-related paths. A paralegal supports lawyers in many aspects of their work, but the paralegal profession is distinct from that of an attorney. Students who want to become lawyers must attend Law School, which requires a Bachelor’s degree. While Paralegal majors can find paths to attending law school, if you know your ultimate goal is to become a lawyer, you should carefully consider your major. Liberal Arts, Criminal Justice, and other Associate of Arts or Science majors should be considered.

Certificate Program

The Paralegal Certificate is a great choice for students who have already earned an Associate’s degree or higher and wish to explore their interest in legal work. Students of the Paralegal Certificate program are introduced to Paralegal work in the four required courses and then choose two of our eight law electives for a total of 18 credits.

Paralegal Studies: 18 credits
BTP101 Introduction to Paralegal Studies
BTP204 Legal Research and Writing
BTP205 Civil Litigation
BTP211 Computer Applications for Paralegals

Select two of the following courses:
BTP201 Administrative Law
BTP202 Wills, Trusts and Estates
BTP203 Family Law
BTP207 Real Estate Law for Paralegals
BTP208 The Law of Business Enterprises for Paralegals
BTP209 Criminal Law and Procedure
BTP212 Immigration Law
BTP213 Bankruptcy Law

TOTAL CREDITS: 18

Career Possibilities

LaGuardia’s Paralegal program is approved by the American Bar Association. The Paralegal AAS degree can lead to direct employment as a paralegal or students can follow other law-related paths. A paralegal supports lawyers in many aspects of their work, but the paralegal profession is distinct from that of an attorney. Students who want to become lawyers must attend Law School, which requires a Bachelor’s degree. While Paralegal majors can find paths to attending law school, if you know your ultimate goal is to become a lawyer, you should carefully consider your major. Liberal Arts, Criminal Justice, and other Associate of Arts or Science majors should be considered.

Transfer Possibilities

  • St. John’s University – BS in Legal Studies
  • BS in Legal Assistant Studies
  • BS in Paralegal Studies
  • BS in Criminal Justice
  • BA in Political Science, English or other liberal arts if pursuing Law School

Degree Requirements

This program has a waiver to list specific courses to complete Common Core requirements.

A. REQUIRED CORE: 12 credits

English: 6 credits

  • ENG101 English Composition I (3)
    (ENA101 or ENC101 depending on placement scores)
  • ENG102 Writing through Literature (3)


Mathematical and Quantitative Reasoning: 3 credits

Select one course from the following: 3

  • MAT115 College Algebra and Trigonometry
  • MAT117 Algebra and Trigonometry (depending on placement scores)
  • MAT119 Statistics with Elementary Algebra
    (depending on placement scores)
  • MAT120 Elementary Statistics

Life and Physical Sciences: 3 credits*


B. FLEXIBLE CORE:9 credits

Select three courses from the flexible core categories below. Note: Only one course may be selected from a category and select courses from three different disciplines.

  • World Cultures and Global Issues
  • US Experience in its Diversity
  • Creative Expression
  • Individual and Society
  • Scientific World

Students are required to select one Urban Study course to complete college requirement. To complete the degree requirements from the Flexible Core, students are advised to select courses from the recommended course selections listed on the program website.

Courses Credits
Business and Technology: 5 credits
BTF101 First Year Seminar for Business 2
BTM110 Business Law 3
Paralegal Studies: 30 credits
BTP101 Introduction to Paralegal Studies 3
BTP203 Family Law 3
BTP204 Legal Research and Writing (capstone) 3
BTP205 Civil Litigation 3
BTP209 Criminal Law and Procedure 3
BTP211 Computer Applications for Paralegals 3
BTP212 Immigration Law 3
Select three of the following: 9
BTP201 Administrative Law 3
BTP202 Wills, Trusts and Estates 3
BTP207 Real Estate Law for Paralegals 3
BTP208 The Law of Business Enterprise for Paralegals 3
BTP213 Bankruptcy Law 3
Experiential Learning: 3 credits
Select one of the following courses:
BTP206 Paralegal Internship 3
BTI202 Business Internship II 3
Unrestricted elective: 1 credit         
* For a list of approved courses, go to: www.laguardia.edu/Pathways/
TOTAL CREDITS:   60         

Paralegal Studies Certificate

Courses Credits
Paralegal Studies: 18 credits
BTP101 Introduction to Paralegal Studies 3
BTP204 Legal Research and Writing (capstone) 3
BTP205 Civil Litigation 3
BTP211 Computer Applications for Paralegals 3
Select three of the following: 9
BTP201 Administrative Law 3
BTP202 Wills, Trusts and Estates 3
BTP203 Family Law 3
BTP207 Real Estate Law for Paralegals 3
BTP208 The Law of Business Enterprise for Paralegals 3
BTP212 Immigration Law 3
BTP213 Bankruptcy Law 3

This program is not eligible for Financial Aid.

Graduate in Two Years!

Review your Degree Map to stay on track.

Search
Search