Course of Study

Degrees Offered

Oakland Community College offers an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree that includes a Paralegal major.

A Paralegal Certificate also is available for students who have earned a baccalaureate degree prior to entering the program.

Program Entry Requirements for the Associate Degree Program:

1. All Required Supportive courses must be completed prior to enrollment in the PLG course sequence.  Overall grade point average in these course must be 2.5 or higher.
2. A grade of C+ or higher must have been earned in each of the following:  BUS 2030, BUS 2040, ENG 1510, ENG 1520, CIS 1050, either SPE 1290, or SPE 1610.
3. Each student will meet personally with the Program Coordinator prior to enrollment in the program.  Appointments may be arranged through the Program Office.

Mandatory Program Orientation Meeting

Students attend a mixer/ orientation meeting the semester they begin the core course sequence. Particulars of the meeting are published each semester in the Schedule of Classes.

Core Courses

The Paralegal courses are offered in a logical order so that each course builds on knowledge gained in the previous courses. All the core courses can be completed within one calendar year and students have the options of starting their program either in September or January. The core course sequence is:

Supportive and General Education Courses

The following information applies to all students entering the PLG Program seeking a major within an associate degree curriculum.

Required supportive courses include:

• Business Law I 2030 and Business Law II 2040
• English I 1510 and English II 1520
• Interpersonal Communication 1290 for careers or Fundamentals of Speech 1610
• Computer Applications 1050

A recommended elective for those students who do not work in a law office is Introduction to the Legal Office Environment.

In addition to the courses noted above, 23 general education credits are required for an associate degree in Applied Science.

Students seeking the Post Baccalaureate Certificate must meet personally with the Program Coordinator before enrolling in the first course in the sequence. While there are no prerequisites, there are three additional required courses:  BUS 2030, BUS 2040, CIS 1050.

Internship: For those students who are nearing completion of the program and believe that additional practical experience in a law office environment would be beneficial, OCC offers an optional internship. Students are placed at host sites which reflect their career interests --- in law firms, corporate legal departments or the courts. There they work on projects in such areas as litigation, probate, divorce, wills and trusts.