Paralegal/Law, AAS
Program Code: Paralegal/Law-AAS
This program can be completed 100% online.
Program Description
Launch a career in the legal field with the Paralegal/Law Associate of Applied Science at TMCC. In this program, you will gain a solid foundation in key areas of law, including torts, civil procedure, contracts, real property, and ethics, while building the practical skills needed to succeed in today's legal workplaces. You will learn how to analyze and evaluate legal issues, draft professional documents, and conduct accurate legal research and writing, all under the guidance of experienced instructors. Just as important, you will develop a clear understanding of professional ethics and the role paralegals play in supporting attorneys and clients across private practice, corporate offices, and public legal systems. Whether starting a new career or advancing an existing one, the Paralegal/Law Program will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to step into an entry-level paralegal position and make an immediate contribution in a professional legal setting. TMCC's Paralegal/Law program is the only American Bar Association (ABA) approved program in Nevada.
Recommended Course Schedule
| Summer | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| This sequence contains a summer session. You cannot begin this program in the summer. It is recommended that you take the summer session following your first or second semester in the program. | ||
| Electives: LAW 233, LAW 251, LAW 255 | ||
| Semester Total | 0 | |
| Total Units | 0 | |
| 1st semester | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| Communications/English 4 | 3 | |
| Human Relations 4 | 3 | |
| IS 101 | Introduction to Information Systems | 3 |
| LAW 101 | Fundamentals of Law I (This is a prerequisite for all other LAW courses.) | 3 |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Semester Total | 15 | |
| 2nd semester | ||
| Communications/English 4 | 3 | |
| LAW 261 | Legal Research I | 3 |
| LAW 263 | Ethics | 3 |
| Science | 3 | |
| Semester Total | 12 | |
| 3rd semester | ||
| Elective 4 | 3 | |
| LAW 203 | Real Property | 3 |
| LAW 205 | Contracts | 3 |
| LAW 259 | Legal Writing | 3 |
| U.S. and Nevada Constitutions 3 | 3 | |
| Semester Total | 15 | |
| 4th semester | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Fine Art/Humanities/Social Science/Diversity | 3 | |
| LAW 204 | Torts | 3 |
| LAW 231 | Procedure - Civil | 3 |
| LAW 264 | Civil Evidence | 3 |
| Semester Total | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| Electives: See notes above. This is a summer Semester. | 6 | |
| Semester Total | 6 | |
| Total Units | 63 | |
- 3
- 4
See program recommendations or requirements.
Special Program Requirements
The LAW 101 (Fundamentals of Law I) course is open to all students. Upon completion of LAW 101 with a grade of ‘B’ or better a student may register for additional LAW courses through normal registration procedures as long as the proper prerequisites have been met. A student must maintain a 3.0 GPA average through all legal specialty coursework to graduate with an AAS degree in paralegal. The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Paralegals requires that students complete a minimum of 9 credits of LAW (or legal specialty courses) in a live format either in person or in a synchronous online course. Transfer units intended to satisfy legal specialty units will be reviewed by the program coordinator for course content to ensure that the course(s) satisfy ABA requirements. No more than 12 semester units will be allowed via transfer for legal specialty courses. No legal specialty transfer units are allowed via examination or portfolio. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.
Program Requirements
AAS degrees are generally non-transfer degrees designed for students to enter the workforce.
To earn an AAS degree, students must:
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (see requirements for graduation.)
- Complete a minimum of 15 units within the college.
- Satisfy General Education requirements for the AAS.
- Have no financial or library obligation to the college.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Diversity 1 | [3] | |
Select a course that also satisfies Humanities/Social Science. | ||
| Communications | 3 | |
Recommended: | ||
| Composition I | ||
or ENG 100 | Composition Enhanced | |
or ENG 113 | Composition I for International and Multilingual Students | |
| English | 3 | |
Recommended: | ||
| Business Letters and Reports | ||
| Humanities/Social Science | 3 | |
Select only a Humanities or Social Science course from the approved AAS General Education list. | ||
| Human Relations | 3 | |
Select one of the following: | ||
| Supervision and Human Relations | ||
| Principles of Management | ||
| Leadership and Human Relations | ||
| Organizational Behavior | ||
| Mathematics | 3 | |
Select from MATH courses 120 or above. | ||
| Science | 3 | |
| U.S. and Nevada Constitutions | 3 | |
| Degree Requirements | ||
| IS 101 | Introduction to Information Systems | 3 |
| LAW 101 | Fundamentals of Law I (LS) 2 | 3 |
| LAW 203 | Real Property (LS) 2 | 3 |
| LAW 204 | Torts (LS) 2 | 3 |
| LAW 205 | Contracts (LS) 2 | 3 |
| LAW 231 | Procedure - Civil (LS) 2 | 3 |
| LAW 259 | Legal Writing (LS) 2 | 3 |
| LAW 261 | Legal Research I (LS) 2 | 3 |
| LAW 263 | Ethics (LS) 2 | 3 |
| LAW 264 | Civil Evidence (LS) 2 | 3 |
| Elective Requirements | ||
| Select 12 units from the following: | 12 | |
| Special Topics Legal Assistant | ||
| Procedure - Criminal (LS) 2 | ||
| Business Structures (LS) 2 | ||
| Bankruptcy (LS) 2 | ||
| Family Law (LS) 2 | ||
| Probate Procedures (LS) 2 | ||
| Supervised Field Experience (LS) 2 | ||
| Total Units | 63 | |
- 1
Course may also count toward degree requirements. Please consult with Academic Advising.
- 2
"LS" denotes legal specialty courses. A student must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA average through all legal specialty coursework to graduate with an AAS degree in Paralegal.
Program Outcomes
Students completing the degree will:
PSLO1: Demonstrate knowledge of substantial areas of the law, including torts, civil procedure, contracts, real property, and ethics.
PSLO2: Demonstrate the ability to analyze and evaluate the law and modify standardized forms found in pleading files, form files, or electronic databases to draft appropriate work-product of a typical entry-level paralegal working under the supervision of an attorney.
PSLO3: Demonstrate knowledge of legal and ethical principles that guide paralegal conduct and define an understanding of the role of the paralegal in the delivery of legal services.
PSLO4: Demonstrate workplace readiness, knowledge, and competency, including basic skills in legal research and writing.
