PARALEGAL PROGRAM
PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
STUDENT NAME: _________________________________________
AAS Degree:
The following classes are required for AAS–Paralegal Degree:
o WR 121, equivalent or Dept. Approval
[Prerequisite for PL 101 and recommended for all Paralegal classes]
o Math 65 (Algebra) or Math 58 or math competency exam
ADVISING NOTES:
STUDENT ID NUMBER: ____________________________________
o Official Transcripts [needed] [ordered] [submitted]
o Prior Degree ___________________________________________
Evaluator:
Date of Evaluation:
Certificate:
o Dept. Approval
Advisor:
Additional Program Requirements:
o WR 122 or WR 227 English is a Prerequisite to PL 204
o CAS 133 (Basic Computer Skills) is a Prerequisite to PL 130
or Department approved substitution or waiver __________
AAS DEGREE:
27 Credits – General Education
18 Credits – Support Electives
45 Credits – Paralegal Classes
90 Credits – Total
Date:
CERTIFICATE:
45 Credits – Paralegal Classes
45 Credits – Total
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (27 credits) – Must have at least one 100 level course in EACH category.
Note: some gen ed courses do not count for Paralegal. See Catalog.
ARTS & LETTERS __________________ _________________ __________________ _________________ __________________ __________________
SOCIAL SCIENCE __________________ _________________ __________________ _________________ __________________ __________________
SCIENCE & MATH __________________ _________________ __________________ _________________ __________________ __________________
SUPPORT ELECTIVES (18 Credits) – The General Electives are permitted in any college level (100 or above) course.
__________________ _________________ __________________ _________________ __________________ _________________ ________________
PARALEGAL COURSES (45 credits) – Prerequisite for PL 101 and recommended for all Paralegal Classes is WR 121,
equivalent or Dept. Approval. The AAS degree requires 15 Paralegal classes (45 Credits): 8 of the Paralegal classes are required
(marked by *).The remaining 7 classes may be chosen by the student, consultation with the Department Chair /Advisor is strongly
recommended. Prerequisites for Paralegal classes may be waived by the Paralegal Department. Up to 6 credits of Paralegal course
credits may be substituted by CJA, Bus or other courses with the prior consent of the Department Chair.
PARALEGAL CORE COURSES – REQUIRED
_________
PL 101*
INTRODUCTION TO LAW – FUNDAMENTALS
_________
PL 102*
INTRODUCTION TO LAW – SUBSTANTIVE AREA
_________
PL 103*
INTRODUCTION TO LAW – ETHICS
_________
PL 107*
TECHNIQUES OF INTERVIEW
_________
PL 130*
LEGAL SOFTWARE
_________
PL 201*
LEGAL RESEARCH AND LIBRARY USE
_________
PL 202*
COMPUTER ASSISTED LEGAL RESEARCH
_________
PL 204*
APPLIED LEGAL RESEARCH AND DRAFTING
PARALEGAL PROGRAM
_________
PL 104
_________
PL 105
_________
PL 109
_________
PL 111
_________
PL 113
_________
PL 116
_________
PL 124
_________
PL 140
_________
PL 206
_________
PL 208
_________
PL 210
_________
PL 216
_________
PL 219
_________
PL 220
_________
PL 221
_________
PL 222
_________
PL 224
_________
PL 226
_________
PL 230
_________
PL 235/205
_________
PL 240
_________
PL 260
_________
PL 275
_________
PL 280A
PREREQUISITE
(Prerequisite: WR 121)
(Prerequisite: PL 101)
(Prerequisite: PL 101)
(Prerequisite: WR 121, PL 101 or concurrently)
(Prerequisite: CAS 133, PL101)
(Prerequisite: PL 101)
(Prerequisite: PL 201)
(Prerequisite: PL 201, WR 122 or WR 227)
ELECTIVE COURSES – CHOICE OF COURSES (21 credits)
INVESTIGATION TECHNIQUES FOR PARALEGALS
(Prerequisite: PL 101)
LITIGATION I
(Prerequisite: PL 101)
ESTATE PLANNING
(Prerequisite/Concurrent: PL 101)
PROBATE PRACTICE
(Prerequisite/Concurrent: PL 101) (Recommended: PL 109)
INCOME TAX LAW
(Prerequisite: PL 101)
REAL PROPERTY LAW I
(Prerequisite/Concurrent: PL 101)
LAW OFFICE MANAGEMENT
(Prerequisite/Concurrent: PL 101)
IMMIGRATION LAW FOR PARALEGALS
(Prerequisite: PL 101)
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
(Prerequisite: PL 101)
FAMILY LAW
(Prerequisite: PL 101)
ELDER LAW
(Prerequisite: PL 101, PL 109)
EMPLOYMENT LAW
(Prerequisite: PL 101)
CONTRACT AND CONSUMER LAW
(Prerequisite: PL 101)
WORKER’S COMPENSATION
(Prerequisite/Concurrent: PL 101)
BANKRUPTCY LAW
(Prerequisite/Concurrent: PL 101)
CORPORATE LAW PRACTICE
(Prerequisite: PL 101)
TORTS/PERSONAL INJURY
(Prerequisite: PL 101)
CRIMINAL LAW FOR PARALEGALS
(Prerequisite/Concurrent: PL 101)
LITIGATION II / E-DISCOVERY
(Prerequisite: PL 130, PL 105)
LITIGATION III / ADVANCE LITIGATION
(Prerequisite: PL 105, Recommended: PL 130)
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
(Prerequisite: PL 101)
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
(Prerequisite: PL 101)
PARALEGAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT
(Prerequisite: PL 101)
COOPERATIVE EDUCATION: LEGAL ASSISTANT
(Prerequisite: 18 credits or Dept. approval)
CREDITS
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
1
3-6
PARALEGAL PROGRAM
PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Cascade Campus -Terrell Hall Room: 109 | 705 N. Killingsworth Street | Portland, OR 97217
PROGRAM
The Portland Community College Paralegal Program is designed to provide students with
hands-on opportunities to develop analytical skills, knowledge of substantive and
procedural law, legal terminology, and skills, including research, writing, interviewing,
investigation, legal software, litigation and others. Paralegals perform specifically
delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible. This program was the
First ABA Approved Paralegal program in State of Oregon (February, 2010).
Paralegals provide critical and integral support to lawyers, corporations, public institutions
and other employers, and they have established themselves to be an indispensable
workforce within the legal system since the 1960s. Paralegals must perform all tasks under
the supervision of a lawyer, except as permitted by law.
DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES OFFERED
● Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal
To obtain an associate of applied science you’ll need 90 credit hours, including 24 hours of
required paralegal courses; 21 credit hours of elective paralegal courses; 27 credits of
general education courses; and 18 credits of support electives.
NOTE: If you have a prior degree or college level courses, these may be transferred to
PCC to meet AAS requirements.
Program Staff
Aubrey Baldwin
Faculty Department Chair
Phone: 971-722-5212
aubrey.baldwin@pcc.edu
Leni Tupper
Faculty
Phone: 971-722-5288
alena.tupper15@pcc.edu
Diana Blake
Program Specialist/Advisor
971-722-5770
diana.blake@pcc.edu
Reba Stephney
Advisor
rstephne@pcc.edu
● Paralegal Certificate
The certificate is a total of 45 credit hours. This will include 24 credit hours of required
Paralegal core courses and 21 credit hours of elective Paralegal courses.
NOTE: ENTRY INTO THE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM REQUIRES PRIOR DEPT CHAIR APPROVAL.
BEFORE ENTRY INTO THE PROGRAM, STUDENTS MUST
●
Attend an advising appointment with a Paralegal program advisor.
●
Complete one of the following:
Have a prior degree, or
Have taken and passed WR 121, or
Take the Compass English Skills Test.
Math 65, Math 58 or MATH competency exam is a degree requirement, but not a prerequisite for taking classes.
●
●
For more information the program and projected schedule can be viewed at www.pcc.edu/paralegal
Refer to the PCC website or visit a PCC Campus Bookstore to purchase a schedule.
Last updated: 9/8/16