Additional information available on the Paralegal Department website.
Recommended basic skills courses are
- College Readiness in English
- College Readiness for Quantitative Literacy for MAT 1240
For more than three decades, the Paralegal program has been educating and training students to meet the needs of the local legal market, while providing students with opportunities beyond the law office environment. The program is an institutional member of the American Association for Paralegal Education, the National Association of Legal Assistants / Paralegals, and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations.
The objectives of the program are to (1) train students for employment as paralegals in a variety of legal settings; (2) provide opportunities for students who wish to upgrade existing job skills; and (3) provide coursework and transfer information to students who are interested in continuing their education.
The Paralegal Program at Pikes Peak State College is accredited by the American Bar Association. This accreditation necessitates a student to receive a “C” or better in any required course, which a student seeks to count towards the A.A.S. Degree or Legal Technician Certificate. This requirement includes all PAR program designated courses (Legal Specialty and Legal Electives), transfer credits, as well as General Education courses (Electives and Required Core) taken at Pikes Peak State College. A “C” is defined as an overall course grade requiring a 70% or better. This includes grades designated as “Satisfactory” by Pikes Peak State College and the Colorado Community College System.
Graduates will be qualified to perform basic legal research, draft various legal documents, conduct client and witness interviews, participate in basic fact-finding and investigation, and assist in trial preparation. They will also be knowledgeable about the rules of professional and ethical conduct.
Graduates are not authorized to practice law. The Paralegal program provides training perform substantive legal work under the supervision of a licensed attorney.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Paralegal/Legal Assistant degree program, students should be able to:
- Recall key concepts and issues set forth by the American Bar Association in core legal study areas
- Prepare legal documents that comply with industry standards, Court rules and procedures
- Properly handle, analyze, and disseminate legal documents in relation to the Work Product Doctrine, the Attorney Client Privilege, and the Colorado Rules Professional Conduct
- Recall key concepts and terminology relating to the American legal system, Courts, and legal precedence
- Use critical thinking skills and legal research skills to solve legal problems and make well-reasoned legal and ethical decisions
