Paralegal Studies
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Our ABA approved program prepares students to work as a paralegal in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Join us today to prepare for a highly supportive academic experience and rewarding career!
You can complete the program 100% online! Students who choose this option must complete at least 9 paralegal course units on Zoom. Our online courses feature dynamic, human-centric, and engaging learning experiences.
Students in our 100% online program have access to all support services the College has to offer: counseling, financial aid, library services, health services, accommodations, and more.
Enroll in our paralegal program today
The Field
Our ABA approved Paralegal program provides a challenging academic experience in a highly supportive environment, and prepares students to work as a paralegal in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors.
The Paralegal Program combines English, Counseling, and Paralegal courses to prepare and provide you with the opportunities to:
- Develop the skills you need to excel as a legal professional,
- Earn a Certificate of Achievement which provides a head start on the road to employment,
- Fulfill the requirements for an Associate Degree to complete the path for transfer to a four-year institution,
- Prepare for law school.
Paralegal graduates cannot give legal advice, appear in court, or otherwise engage in the unauthorized practice of law. The practice of law by non-attorneys is strictly prohibited by law.
Career Outlook
A job as a paralegal in California can be the start of a career in the fast-paced legal field. Preparation for a career as a paralegal starts with enrollment in a college paralegal program. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides stats and information on legal professions in the state of California and throughout the country.
Skyline College’s Paralegal Internship Program
Our internship program provides students the opportunity to build professional connections, develop professional competence, and gain the professional experience needed to qualify for positions in the legal field.
Synchronous Learning Requirement: As an ABA approved program students must to take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through face-to-face instruction on zoom or in the classroom.
Looking for a list of classes offered this semester?
Check out the current class schedule.All Courses
LEGL 240 Introduction to Law (3 units)
An overview of the American legal system including its development, structure and history. Reviews the legal and judicial process in the U.S. covering the adversarial system, jurisdiction of federal and state courts, and the general process of judicial review. Explanation of different sources of law including statutes, court cases and administrative agency rules. Review of basic legal reasoning and introductory research methods. Introduction to civil law, criminal law, family law, real property law, contracts, employment, immigration, intellectual property, and other areas of law. Also included is a review of the principles of legal ethics.
LEGL 245 Paralegal Profession I (3 units)
An overview of the paralegal profession: roles and responsibilities in the modern law office, preparing for a legal career, job skills, and professional ethics.
LEGL 250 Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis I (3 units)
Introduction to basic techniques of legal research, writing, and analysis—essential tools of the legal profession. Students will research legal issues, frame legal arguments, and analyze legal problems.
LEGL 252 Civil Litigation (3 units)
An introduction to civil litigation from the paralegal's perspective, from pre-trial though appeals, with a focus on professional skills and procedural knowledge.
LEGL 260 Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis II (3 units)
This course provides advanced instruction in legal research, writing, and analysis. Students will research legal issues, analyze legal arguments, and draft legal memos.
LEGL 275 Constitutional Law and Supreme Court Jurisprudence (3 units)
Focus on the Constitution and Supreme Court case law as the basis for rights in the United States. Students will investigate legal controversies related to current and past struggles for equal rights and justice.
LEGL 290 Community Legal Services Clinic (3 units)
Builds legal skills and knowledge via an innovative combination of classroom instruction and meaningful community service. Under the close supervision of a licensed attorney, paralegal students will work collaboratively with colleagues and clients to address legal problems while serving our community.
LEGL 304 Concepts of Criminal Law (3 units)
Historical development and philosophy of criminal law and constitutional provisions. Special emphasis on legal definitions, the classifications of crime and their application to the administration of justice system. Study of case law, methodology, and concepts of law as a social force. Also listed as ADMJ 104.
LEGL 306 Legal Aspects of Evidence (3 units)
Origin, development, philosophy and constitutional basis of evidence; constitutional and procedural considerations affecting arrest, search and seizure; kinds and degrees of evidence and rules governing admissibility; judicial decisions and interpreting individual rights and case studies. Also listed as ADMJ 106.
LEGL 430 Law Office Technology (3 units)
Hands-on instruction in technologies designed for use by legal professionals. Special emphasis is given to relevant technological skills for paralegals and legal support staff.
LEGL 670 Vocational Cooperative Education in Paralegal Studies (1- 3 units)
Supervised internship in cooperation with private or public sector employers. Designed to apply knowledge and learn new skills, directly related to the students program of study, outside of the normal classroom environment. Students must attend one orientation which is offered the first three weeks of each semester. Each unit requires 60 hours per unit for unpaid work or 75 hours per unit for paid work during the semester. May be repeated for credit up to 16 units. The unit limitation applies to any Cooperative Education Work Experience (any combination of 670, 671 and/or 672 courses) offered within the SMCCCD. Students are responsible for obtaining their internship.
| Program | Type | Total Units |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegal, Legal Assistant | AA | 60 Units |
| Paralegal, Legal Assistant | CA | 21 - 22 Units |
Synchronous Learning Requirement: As an ABA approved program students must to take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through face-to-face instruction on zoom or in the classroom.
Interested in attending law school? Skyline College can help. Check out our law school preparation checklist below and begin your journey from a two-year institution to a four-year institution to law school.
The strategy for getting into law school is to study hard, plan ahead, and keep your GPA up. In addition to working hard, do the following while you are at Skyline College:
- Meet with a Counselor to develop a Student Educational Plan
- Make an appointment at the Transfer Center to confirm that you are on track to transfer
- Research theLSAT and the Law School Admissions Process
Community Legal Clinic
SparkPoint and the Dream Center host the Immigration legal clinic. This clinic helps bridge the justice gap by providing free access to legal services for under-resourced members of the local community including Skyline College students, employees and the public. If you have a legal question, we can help you find the answer!
Project Change
Project Change at Skyline College provides referrals to statewide record clearance resources and social, emotional and academic support for formerly incarcerated and system impacted students at Skyline College.
- Legal Understanding: Identify, explain, and give examples of key elements of U.S. law, legal systems, ethical considerations, and/or professional procedures.
- Legal Research: Develop, construct, plan, and execute an effective legal research strategy.
- Legal Writing: Plan and compose focused, organized, and logical legal arguments in writing.
- Legal Analysis: Critically evaluate, consider, and critique legal arguments, issues, and /or information.
| Type | Status | Title | Days | Time | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLASS OVER | LEGL 240 - 88812 - Introduction to Law | T | 6:00pm-8:45pm | Bernardo, S | |
| CLASS OVER | LEGL 245 - 96760 - Paralegal Profession I | M | 6:00pm-9:05pm | Gaudio, M | |
| CLASS OVER | LEGL 252 - 89321 - Civil Litigation I | Th | 12:00pm-1:15pm | Bernardo, S | |
| CLASS OVER | LEGL 252 - 89321 - Civil Litigation I | TBA | Bernardo, S | ||
 |
IN PROGRESS |
LEGL 275 - 97011 - Constitutional Law/Supreme Crt | TBA | Raskin, J | |
| |
IN PROGRESS |
LEGL 304 - 96195 - Concepts of Criminal Law | TBA | Aurilio, S | |
| |
CLASS OVER | LEGL 430 - 98034 - Law Office Technology | TBA | Corzonkoff, B | |
 |
IN PROGRESS |
LEGL 670 - 96243 - Cooperative Education in LEGL | TBA | Raskin, J |
Internships and Careers
A job as a paralegal in California can be the start of a career in the fast-paced legal field. Preparation for a career as a paralegal starts with enrollment in a college paralegal program. An internship in a law office, a corporate legal department, or in a government agency offers experience and networking opportunities.
Skyline College’s Paralegal Internship Program provides students the opportunity to build professional connections, develop professional competence, and gain the professional experience needed to qualify for positions in the legal field.
Internship FAQ
As an intern, students may be asked to complete a variety of tasks such as maintaining files, answering phones, making copies, filing documents, and more. Interns who prove to be diligent and reliable may be entrusted with additional tasks.
The key to success is to view each task as an opportunity to learn something new. Conscientious interns will learn the skills necessary for success in the paralegal field, including organization, communication, filing, writing, research, investigation, legal technology, multi-tasking, teamwork, and attention to detail. Students participating in the internship program can expect to:
- Gain invaluable hands-on work experience in the legal field
- Apply classroom learning to real world job tasks
- Acquire knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for professional success
- Develop a professional network in the legal community and clarify career goals
- Fulfill the experience requirement associated with many job openings
Paralegal Interns can expect to spend about 12 - 15 hours a week at an internship for about fifteen weeks. The exact number of hours and days will depend on the employer. Generally, internships will take place Monday - Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Internships may be renewed by the mutual agreement of the student and the employer.
Skyline College will help students develop professional resumes and cover letters, find internship opportunities, and make connections with employers who have previously provided internships for Skyline College students. Previous internships have been hosted at the organizations listed below. Skyline College does not guarantee placement for student interns.
- Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach (APILO)
- Bay Area Legal Aid
- Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA)
- Huff Law
- Law and Mediation offices of Margaret S. Tillinghast
- Law Office of John L. Burris
- The Legal Aid Society of San Mateo
- Martin Family Law Firm in San Mateo
- San Mateo County Law Library
- San Mateo Superior Court
- San Francisco Superior Court
What is a Paralegal?
Paralegals work side by side with attorneys and other legal professionals. Most paralegals work under the direct supervision of an attorney drafting various documents, assisting the attorney with trial preparation, and working directly with clients. Some experienced paralegals work as independent contractors working for many different attorneys on specific projects on a contract basis.
Paralegals perform the same functions as an attorney except those prohibited by unauthorized practice of law statues (See California Business and Professions Code Section 6450 (a)). General duties are limited only by statute or a supervising attorney's determination of a specific paralegal's competency.
Some examples of typical paralegal duties are:
- Factual and legal research.
- Organization of client matters.
- Drafting correspondence, pleadings, and discovery for attorney review.
- Legal calendaring.
- Preparing subject matter databases.
- Interaction with clients, court personnel, and opposing attorneys.
- Reviewing, evaluating, and summarizing medical, business, commercial, and other records for attorneys.
- Reviewing legal documents (contracts, insurance policies, etc.) to spot controversial issues.
Paralegals work everywhere. The traditional law office remains the most popular choice for beginning paralegals but it is not the only choice. Paralegals are defined by the nature of their work and not only their job title. You will find paralegals in corporate legal departments, banks, government agencies, real estate offices, public interest and legal aid organizations, and private industry.
Paralegals can also work as non-lawyer advocates representing persons before administrative agencies. The career path for paralegals in the 21st Century is still evolving. Law firms continue to try to find ways to meet client needs and lower the costs involved with running a business. Paralegals are a cost effective way to serve client needs and increase revenue for a law firm.
California Business and Professions Code Sections 450-6456 has been the law governing paralegals for several years now, and its effect can be seen in all aspects of the legal community from hiring criteria for paralegals, to salaries and the economic benefits of billing clients for fee generating legal work. There are many law firms and corporations that have learned the hard way, through denial of a fee award for paralegal work for example, just how important it is to hire a paralegal who is qualified pursuant to the specifics of the Code.
The most important section for a working paralegal is 6450(d), as amended in May 2008 to state that, "every two years, commencing January 1, 2007, any person ... working as a paralegal shall be required to certify completion of four hours of mandatory continuing legal education in ethics and four hours of mandatory continuing legal education in either general law or in an area of specialized law."
The Code goes on to say that certification of these requirements shall be made to the paralegal's supervising attorney and also that the paralegal is responsible for keeping a record of their CEU certifications. In most cases this is easily accomplished by turning in CEU certificates to the HR person at your employment. It is vital for all paralegals to keep track on a CEU log of all their courses, and to also keep copies of the actual certificates. If the continuing education criteria are not met by the paralegal, then the paralegal is in violation of the code.
For a course to count, it must meet the requirements of Business and Profession Code section 6070, be offered by an approved MCLE provider, and that provider's State Bar MCLE number should appear on all certificates. SF State has met the stated requirements and has been designated MCLE provider number 5079 by the State Bar of California.
Skyline College recognizes the importance of making continuing education courses affordable and convenient for working paralegals. Each semester there are several Saturday courses offered for MCLE credit. We have been an approved MCLE provider for several years and offer reasonable fees and a convenient downtown location.
Interested in attending law school? Skyline College can help. Check out our law school preparation checklist below and begin your journey from a two-year institution to a four-year institution to law school.
The strategy for getting into law school is to study hard, plan ahead, and keep your GPA up. In addition to working hard, do the following while you are at Skyline College:
- Meet with a Counselor to develop a Student Educational Plan
- Make an appointment at the Transfer Center to confirm that you are on track to transfer
- Research the LSAT and the Law School Admissions Process