Program Chair: Janet Olejar, J.D. Program Support: Kim Phillips

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1 Program Chair: Janet Olejar, J.D. Program Support: Kim Phillips The Paralegal Program is designed to prepare students to enter into the legal services field as specialists who will provide assistance to an attorney or other legal professional. In this rapidly growing and exciting career field, jobs are available not only in law firms, large and small, but also in corporate enterprises, government offices, courts, real estate firms, and numerous other organizations that use legal services including public utilities, health insurers, and banks. The TCC Paralegal Program offers two options for those interested in pursuing a career in the legal services field, with both the degree program and certificate option. The faculty of the program represent various aspects of the field and hold a high regard for its academic and professional integrity. Our Program s Mission is: To aid students in becoming ethical, top-quality paralegals with the knowledge, flexibility, analytical, interpersonal, communication, and other skills needed to excel and succeed in a diverse and ever-changing legal profession. Upon completion of the paralegal program, students should be able to: Recognize ethical issues that arise in a legal work environment and apply rules of professional conduct to resolve them, Demonstrate oral and written skills that paralegals use on the job, Apply basic principles of legal analysis, Use computers and other technology for document production, law office management, and trial preparation, Demonstrate sensitivity through adaptability and flexibility in working with a diverse group of people, Manage multi-tasks while prioritizing them to meet deadlines. The TCC Paralegal Program is an Institutional Member (the highest category of membership) of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAPE). The program is also approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). For Information please refer to the website:

2 Enrollment and Registration Process 1. Virtual Information Session In order to make sure prospective students understand all of the important aspects of applying to the college and attending the Paralegal program, we require you to first complete our virtual information session. Located at: This session will guide you through a series of pages designed to explain what the Paralegal program at TCC entails, the Paralegal profession, as well as important information regarding getting started. It is your responsibility to complete the enrollment steps outlined in the information session. If you have questions about this process, please contact General Advising in Bldg 7 ( ). 2. Advising Your Certificate of Completion from the Virtual Information Session will provide you with contact information to schedule an appointment with the program chair and advisor, Janet Olejar. 3. Registration The program advisor will help you map out the courses needed to complete the program. From here students can register for classes online at 4. Tuition and Fees For information regarding current tuition rates, please refer to: Legal Specialty Credit Transfer Policy Upon a student s admission to Tacoma Community College and enrollment in the Paralegal Program, up to eighteen (18) quarter credits for legal specialty courses earned from another similarly accredited institution may be accepted. To transfer legal specialty credits, students must meet with the program coordinator and submit supporting documentation, including previous transcripts, course descriptions, syllabi, and work product samples when available. Students wishing to transfer credits will then need to register for their first quarter classes and meet with the program coordinator a second time to discuss the student s performance. If in the judgment of the program coordinator the transferring course(s) are equivalent to TCC s legal specialty course(s) and the student s performance is adequate, then consideration will be given to waiving courses. Quality is generally viewed more favorably with courses transferred from ABAapproved and AAfPE member institutions, as long as content is similar. Previous work experience is applauded; however, it is not equivalent to coursework. Students may speak with the program coordinator to discuss possible eligibility for waiver testing.

3 Associate of Applied Sciences Degree Paralegal Degree Program The Paralegal Degree consists of 100 credits of instruction and can be completed in a two-year period. Students who successfully complete this program will receive an Associate of Applied Sciences Degree in Paralegal Studies. Core Required Courses *Students must complete all 56 credits Course # Course Name Credits Term Completed CU 105 Word I, Excel I 5 CU 106 Speed and Accuracy 2 ADJ 101 Criminal Law 5 ADLJ 149 Writing Basics for Paralegals 3 ADLJ 150 Paralegal Fundamentals and Ethics 5 ADLJ 151 Legal Research & Writing I 5 ADLJ 152 Intro to Civil Law 5 ADLJ 153 Civil Procedure I 5 ADLJ 154 Computer Applications in the Law 3 ADLJ 155 Health/Dealing with Stress 1 ADLJ 232 Interviewing & Investigation 5 ADLJ 233 Internship I 5 ADLJ 239 Transition Planning 1 ADLJ 251 Legal Research & Writing II 3 ADLJ 253 Civil Procedure II 3 General Education Requirements *Students must complete all 35 credits Course # Course Name Credits Term Completed ENGL 101 College Freshman Comp 5 Sociology or Psychology 5 Political Science or History 5 Natural Science on AA Distribution List * 5 Multicultural course on AA Distribution List 5 CMST& 220 Public Speaking 5 Math 90 or Business Math 5 ANTH 2 Biological Anthropology (formerly ANTHR 201) is the only natural science course that does not require MATH 90 Legal Specialty Elective Courses *Students must complete 9 credits Course # Course Name Credits Term Completed ADJ 102 Criminal Procedure and Evidence 5 ADLJ 221 Family Law 3 ADLJ 222 Probate/Estate Planning 3 ADLJ 223 Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) 3 ADLJ 224 Real Estate Law 3 ADLJ 225 Bankruptcy Law 3 ADLJ 226 Administrative Law 3 ADLJ 228 Employment Law 3 ADLJ 230 Business Organizations/Corporations 3 ADLJ 231 Contracts/Commercial Transactions 3 ADLJ 234 Internship II 5 ADLJ and ADJ courses must be completed with a grade of C or better. 3

4 Paralegal Preferred Pro-Certificate* The Paralegal Preferred Pro-Certificate consists of 55 credits of instruction and is designed to enhance the career potential of those planning to enter the paralegal profession. This certificate program can lead to better placement, promotions, and salaries in the legal field. The Preferred Pro-Certificate is awarded to students who have completed an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree or a Bachelor of Arts degree and the 55 credits of paralegal certificate coursework. Required Courses *Students must complete all 52 credits Course # Course Name Credits Term Completed CU 105 Word I, Excel I 5 CU 106 Speed and Accuracy 2 ADJ 101 Criminal Law 5 ADLJ 150 Paralegal Fundamentals and Ethics 5 ADLJ 151 Legal Research & Writing I 5 ADLJ 152 Intro to Civil Law 5 ADLJ 153 Civil Procedure I 5 ADLJ 154 Computer Applications in the Law 3 ADLJ 232 Interviewing & Investigation 5 ADLJ 233 Internship I (*Prereq: ADLJ 150, Typing [OFF 5 106] or waiver test, and Computer Skills) ADLJ 239 Transition Planning 1 ADLJ 251 Legal Research & Writing II 3 ADLJ 253 Civil Procedure II 3 Recommended but not required: ADLJ 149, CU 108 Legal Specialty Elective Courses *Students must complete 3 credits Course # Course Name Credits Term Completed ADJ 102 Criminal Procedure and Evidence 5 ADLJ 221 Family Law 3 ADLJ 222 Probate/Estate Planning 3 ADLJ 223 Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) 3 ADLJ 224 Real Estate Law 3 ADLJ 225 Bankruptcy Law 3 ADLJ 226 Administrative Law 3 ADLJ 228 Employment Law 3 ADLJ 230 Business Organization/Corporations 3 ADLJ 231 Contracts/Commercial Transactions 3 ADLJ 234 Internship II 5 ADLJ and ADJ courses must be completed with a grade of C or better. *The Paralegal Preferred Pro-Certificate is awarded to students who have completed a Bachelor of Arts or Associate of Arts and Sciences degree and the 55 credits of paralegal certificate coursework. 4

5 Enrollment Information Students may enroll on a full or part-time basis and take day or evening classes. It is possible for evening students to complete the program requirements. Students may enroll any quarter; however, students are cautioned that not all courses are offered every quarter and careful sequencing of classes will prevent unnecessary delays in completing the program. Additionally, students who have already taken college-level classes may be able to reduce the number of classes/length of time required to complete this program. Therefore, frequent advisor consultations are strongly recommended. Academic Requirements In order to receive a degree from the college, students are required to have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 overall and a cumulative GPA of 2.00 in coursework taken at Tacoma Community College. Additionally, a letter grade of C or better must be earned in each paralegal course. If the letter grade falls below a C, the course must be repeated. Transferring to a Four-Year College Some students have further education in mind when they begin coursework here. Insuring proper coursework for transferring to a 4-year college or university, then, becomes an important ingredient in your program planning. Keep in mind that the final decision for credit transfers rests with the institutions you are transferring to; therefore, you should contact them with any questions you may have. Several colleges in the area offer a variety of opportunities for you to continue your education. Although the following list is not all inclusive, it may provide you with useful starting points. Central Washington University in Ellensburg: Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma: St. Martin s College in Olympia: The University of Washington in Seattle: The University of Washington in Tacoma: University of Puget Sound in Tacoma: Washington State University in Pullman: Western Washington University in Bellingham: The Evergreen State College in Olympia: NOTE: The Paralegal Program has an articulation agreement with Evergreen State College that will allow for a direct transfer into their Bachelor s Degree program. 5

6 Graduation When you have completed all of the course work required for Associate in Applied Sciences Degree or Pro-certificate program, you will need to do the following: 1. Pick up an application for graduation at the Registration Office in Bldg 7 2. Check with your advisor to make certain you have, in fact, completed all requirements. 3. Fill out the application, have it signed by the program coordinator, and return it to the cashier. You will be asked to pay a filing fee of approximately $ At the end of the quarter in which you have applied, your diploma will be sent to the address you have provided to the college. Graduation (commencement) ceremonies are held only once a year following the end of Spring quarter. *HAVE THE APPLICATION IN NO LATER THAN THE SECOND WEEK OF THE QUARTER IN WHICH YOU INTEND TO GRADUATE.* Professional Development An important aspect of the Paralegal Program is the development of a professional identity. Below, are some professional organizations whose purpose is to assist and support you as you explore your professional role. These organizations offer continuing legal education seminars, certification preparation and testing, and they provide a great foundation for networking with others in the legal field. NALS of Pierce County - The association for legal professionals NALA (National Association of Legal Assistants) WSPA (Washington State Paralegal Association) Paralegal Program students also participate in Lambda Juris, a student club whose main focus is to network with fellow students, create learning opportunities outside of class through tours and seminars, and act as a liaison between faculty and students. Club activities of the past include hosting the Court of Appeals on campus, organizing student tours to several prison and local crime labs, and hosting seminars on campus. 6

7 Directions to Main Campus Tacoma Community College 6501 S. 19th Street Tacoma, WA From North or South I- 5 take Exit 132 (Bremerton/HWY 16). Follow HWY 16 to the South 19th Street (West) Orchard Street (South) Exit. Turn right at Orchard Street. Turn right at 19th Street and travel approximately 1.5 miles. Turn right at Mildred Street. TCC is on the right Important Locations: Admissions Bldg 7 Financial Aid Bldg 18 Cashier s Office Bldg 18 TCC Bookstore Bldg 11 Paralegal Program Bldg 19 7