The Paralegal/Legal Studies Program at City College of San Francisco (CCSF), in operation since 1973, was granted approval from the American Bar Association (ABA) in August 2017. Designed for working adults, classes are taught in the evenings at its downtown center, conveniently located near public transportation.
The Program offers both an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree and a paralegal certificate approved by the ABA. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be awarded a certificate and/or degree.
Degree Program
The degree program is required of students who do not already hold a college degree and is designed so that students may satisfy both the general education requirements and paralegal course requirements for graduation from City College.
Enrollment is open to all students who are admitted to CCSF and who have satisfied the prerequisites listed next to each course before enrolling in that course. Students entering the degree program must have placed into ENGL 1A or completed ENGL 88, 88B, 96, or their equivalent with a final grade of C or higher. Students who successfully complete the degree program will be awarded both the A.S. degree in Paralegal/Legal Studies and the ABA-approved paralegal certificate.
Certificate Program
The program of study for the Certificate of Achievement in Paralegal/Legal Studies complies with the requirements established under current California law to become a paralegal. The program is designed to prepare students for employment as paralegals.
Enrollment is open to all interested students who already hold a college degree or who have completed 30 units of general education courses with a 2.00 grade point average or higher at an accredited, post-secondary school prior to admission into our Program. Students entering the certificate program must have placed into ENGL 1A or completed ENGL 88, 88B, 96, or their equivalent with a final grade of C or higher. Students who successfully complete the certificate program will be awarded the ABA-approved paralegal certificate.
In both the degree and certificate programs, students are taught crucial skills, including how to:
- Write and communicate in formats acceptable in today’s law offices
- Locate and analyze the law
- Handle the ethical issues facing today’s legal professionals
- Navigate through the federal and California court systems
- Operate within a law office
In addition, both programs provide practical skills in law office software and business practices as well as instruction in the areas of substantive law.
The CCSF program is a member of the American Association for Paralegal Education, the San Francisco Paralegal Association, and the Paralegal Section of the Bar Association of San Francisco.
CCSF is accepting applications now for the spring semester, which begins January 16, 2018. New students should apply online at www.ccsf.edu. Returning students should have received an appointment from the College to register.
For additional information about the degree and certificate programs, visit www.ccsf.edu/legal or call 415-239-3508.
About the Author
Dora Lew Dye worked as a real estate/corporate paralegal for over 15 years. In addition to her paralegal career, she has been in paralegal education since 1990 and is currently the paralegal program coordinator and CurricUNET administrator at CCSF.