Paralegal - A.A.S. Degree/Certificate
Start Your Career as a Paralegal at Alvin Community College
Would you like to pursue a career that is both interesting and challenging? If so, a career as a Paralegal may be for you. A Paralegal plays an important role in the legal office. Under the supervision of an attorney, paralegals perform a wide variety of tasks in the legal office.
A successful paralegal must be:
- Detail-oriented
- Computer savvy
- Highly organized
- An effective written and oral communicator
- Good at multi-tasking
- Professional
- A good team player
If you possess these skills and traits along with the desire to learn about the legal system, a career as a paralegal may be right for you.
Career Opportunities
Paralegals are employed in all types of organizations including:
- law firms
- corporations
- banks
- insurance companies
- federal, state, and local governments
- legal aid organizations
Litigation, personal injury, corporate, criminal, and family law practices are just some of the areas where a Paralegal can find employment.
The need for paralegals has expanded greatly with population increases and the growing demand for legal services. According to the U.S. Labor statistics, employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 15 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The average salary for a paralegal in the Houston metro area is over $61,000. See U.S. Dept. of Labor Occupational Outlook for Paralegals.
For more information on paralegal career opportunities, please visit Career Coach where you can explore the local job market, take a career assessment, and build a resumé.
What Will I Study?
By enrolling in ACC’s Paralegal Degree program you will learn legal terminology, how to conduct research and perform investigations, document drafting, litigation, and computer and organizational skills. We focus on providing you with the education and skills that employers are looking for. Alvin Community College offers an excellent education while keeping the tuition costs far less expensive than online schools, for-profit schools, and universities. Our courses are offered online as well as traditional face to face classes.
If you would like to obtain a paralegal education and enter the job market as quickly as possible, our Paralegal Certificate program is the perfect option. It also a great choice if you already have an associate or bachelor's degree, from an accredited college, in a different field of study.
Curriculum Guide - Paralegal - A.A.S. Degree/Certificate
First Year
First Semester (Fall)
- BCIS 1305 - Business Computer Applications 3 Course Credits **
or - POFI 1301 - Computer Applications I 3 Course Credits **
- ENGL 1301 - Composition I 3 Course Credits +
- LGLA 1301 - Legal Research and Writing 3 Course Credits **
- LGLA 1311 - Introduction to Law 3 Course Credits **
- LGLA 2303 - Torts and Personal Injury Law 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 15
Second Semester (Spring)
- LGLA 1345 - Civil Litigation 3 Course Credits
- LGLA 1355 - Family Law 3 Course Credits
- LGLA 2305 - Interviewing and Investigating 3 Course Credits
- LGLA 2313 - Criminal Law and Procedure 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 12
Third Semester (Summer)
- LGLA 1351 - Contract Law 3 Course Credits
- LGLA 1353 - Wills, Trusts, & Probate Admin 3 Course Credits
- LGLA 2331 - Advanced Legal Research & Writing 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 9
Second Year
First Semester (Fall)
- Creative Arts 3 Course Credits +
or - Language, Philosophy and Culture 3 Course Credits +
- LGLA 1323 - Employment Law 3 Course Credits
- LGLA 1380 - Cooperative Ed I - Paralegal Assistant 3 Course Credits *
- SPCH 1315 - Public Speaking 3 Course Credits +
or - SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 12
Second Semester (Spring)
- LGLA 2311 - Business Organizations 3 Course Credits
- LGLA 2381 - Cooperative Ed II - Paralegal Assistant 3 Course Credits *
- Life and Physical Sciences 3 Course Credits +
- Social and Behavioral Sciences 3 Course Credits +
Semester Credits: 12
Total Credits Required for A.A.S. Paralegal Degree: 60
+ Denotes core requirement. Speak with Department Chair or Pathways Advisor for proper course selection.
* Capstone course. If a student registers for a co-op course (internship), the student must have a co-op site arranged prior to the first day of the semester class.
** Students planning to transfer to a four-year university need to take BCIS 1305
** LGLA 1301 and LGLA 1311 must be taken during the first semester.
First Year
First Semester (Fall)
- BCIS 1305 - Business Computer Applications 3 Course Credits **
or - POFI 1301 - Computer Applications I 3 Course Credits **
- LGLA 1301 - Legal Research and Writing 3 Course Credits **
- LGLA 1311 - Introduction to Law 3 Course Credits **
- LGLA 2303 - Torts and Personal Injury Law 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 12
Second Semester (Spring)
- LGLA 1345 - Civil Litigation 3 Course Credits
- LGLA 1355 - Family Law 3 Course Credits
- LGLA 2305 - Interviewing and Investigating 3 Course Credits
- LGLA 2313 - Criminal Law and Procedure 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 12
Third Semester (Summer)
- LGLA 1351 - Contract Law 3 Course Credits
- LGLA 1353 - Wills, Trusts, & Probate Admin 3 Course Credits
- LGLA 2331 - Advanced Legal Research & Writing 3 Course Credits
Semester Credits: 9
Second Year
First Semester (Fall)
- LGLA 1323 - Employment Law 3 Course Credits
- LGLA 1380 - Cooperative Ed I - Paralegal Assistant 3 Course Credits *
Semester Credits: 6
Second Semester (Spring)
- LGLA 2311 - Business Organizations 3 Course Credits
- LGLA 2381 - Cooperative Ed II - Paralegal Assistant 3 Course Credits *
Semester Credits: 6
Total Credits Required for Paralegal Certificate: 45
* Capstone course. If a student registers for a co-op course (internship), the student must have a co-op site arranged prior to the first day of the semester class.
** Students planning to transfer to a four-year university need to take BCIS 1305
** LGLA 1301 and LGLA 1311 must be taken during the first semester.
NOTE: Additional Paralegal courses may be offered in a semester.
Approximate yearly costs for the A.A.S. Degree program are $4,200 for in-district students and $6,969 for those out-of-district. This includes tuition and fees. Additional fees for books and supplies may vary.
Yearly costs for the Certificate program are approximately $3,200 for in-district students and $5,271 for those out-of-district. This includes tuition and fees. Additional fees for books and supplies may vary.
For more information on education costs, payment options, payment plans, deadlines and more, visit our Tuition and Fees section.
Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. For more information, visit our Financial Aid section.
*Alvin Community College may change tuition rates and other fees without notice or when so directed by the Board of Regents.
COLLEGE & CAREER PATHWAYS
Paralegal is part of our Law, Government & Public Service Career Pathway. Click the box below to see other programs that may interest you.