Paralegal Studies Proficiency Certificate draft

Program Overview

The Paralegal Studies Proficiency Certificate program at Community College of Philadelphia offers 27 credits of coursework, including 9 credits of legal specialty classes and a choice of four electives. Students will gain skills in legal research, writing, and technology, preparing them for careers as legal secretaries, title examiners, and compliance officers. The program boasts a median salary of $61,672 and a positive job outlook with a 5% growth projection in the region.

Program Outline

Outline:

Course Structure:

• The Paralegal Studies Proficiency Certificate program at Community College of Philadelphia consists of 27 credits.
• Students must complete 9 credit hours of legal specialty classes in a traditional face-to-face/remote synchronous classroom format.
• The following courses and sequence of courses is designed for the optimal success and completion of the Paralegal Studies Proficiency Certificate degree/certificate:
• PLS 101 - Intro to Paralegal Studies (3 credits)
• PLS 121 - Civil Litigation I (3 credits)
• PLS 111 - Legal Research and Writing I (3 credits)
• PLS 115 - Legal Technology (3 credits)
• PLS 211 - Legal Research and Writing II (3 credits)
• Students must select four courses from the following electives:
• PLS 215 - Electronic Discovery (3 credits)
• PLS 221 - Civil Litigation II (3 credits)
• PLS 231 - Family Law (3 credits)
• PLS 241 - Tort Law (3 credits)
• PLS 251 - Real Estate Law for Paralegals (3 credits)
• PLS 255 - Business Organizations for Paralegals (3 credits)
• PLS 261 - Wills, Trusts and Estate Administration (3 credits)
• PLS 265 - Intellectual Property (3 credits)
• PLS 271 - Bankruptcy Law (3 credits)
• PLS 275 - Employment Law (3 credits)
• PLS 281 - Environmental Law (3 credits)

Careers:

• Career Options:
• Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
• Title Examiners, Abstractors and Searchers
• Compliance Officers
• Typical Tasks:
• Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
• Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
• Prepare legal documents, including briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
• Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of case.
• File pleadings with court clerk.
• Salary and Job Outlook:
• Median Salary: $61,672
• Number of Jobs in the region: 4,308
• 10 Year Job Outlook: +5% in the region