Legal Assistant Certificate

Additional information available on the Paralegal Department website.

This certificate is designed for college graduates interested in gaining critical skill necessary to work in the legal support industry. This certificate program offering is only available to those students who possess (at the time of entry into the program) a bachelor’s degree or HIGHER from a regionally accredited college or university. Students not possessing an approved degree must enroll in the Paralegal Associate of Applied Science  program.

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.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Legal Assistant certificate 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