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Sequencing of Courses

Suggested sequence of classes leading to an Associate of Arts degree:

It is anticipated that students may begin their legal assisting studies in either the Fall or the Spring semester. The current plan includes offering the LA 300 Introduction to Law and the American Legal System course both Fall and Spring semesters, afternoons, evenings, or fully on line. Successful completion of the A.A. degree general education requirements with an eye to tranferring to a four year institution requires the assistance of an academic counselor.

Students must take LA 300 Intro to Law & the American Legal System in the first semester in which any of the required Legal Assisting courses are attempted.

All required Legal Assisting courses (Core Requirements) are available to be taken either in the afternoon or the evening. At this time, all Legal Assisting electives (Concentration Requirements) are scheduled as evening classes.

A suggested course of fulll-time study for students who have no prior college experience might be as follows*:

Semester 1 -- Fall:
  • ENGWR 300 College Composition, 3 units **
  • 12 units of general education classes
Semester 2 -- Spring
  • LA 300 Introduction to Law & the American Legal System, 3 units
  • 12 units of general education classes

* General education courses must include a minimum of 18 units from 3 different areas of the IGETC Transfer Curriculum. 

  • ENGWR 300 (3 units) is included in those 18 units and counts as coming from one area.
  • 15 additional units in general education must come from at least two other areas. 
An academic counselor MUST be consulted to ensure appropriate selection of general education courses for the LA degree.

The above students could then continue in the pattern that follows.

Semester 3 -- Fall:
  • LA 312 Torts and Personal Injury, 3 units
  • LA 320 Legal Research, 3 units
  • LA 350 Law Office Management, 3 units
  • Electives, 6 units 
Semester 4 -- Spring:
  • LA 310 Civil Litigation and Procedure, 3 units
  • LA 314 Contract Law for Legal Assistants, 3 units
  • LA 321 Legal Writing, 3 units
  • Electives, 6 units

It is advisable to meet with an academic counselor to determine appropriate courses for transfer.

Students desiring to take the Legal Assisting courses only part time should select courses from the first ones listed each semester. For example, if you wish to take only one class in the Fall semester you should choose ENGWR 300, then in the Spring take LA 300.

** Please note that ENGWR 300 must be taken either prior to starting LA 300 or at the same time.  If a student must take classes preparing them for ENGWR 300 their individual academic plan may take longer than two years to complete. An academic counselor must be consulted and the appropriate placement tests taken.

LA 300 Introduction to Law and the American Legal System must be taken at the same time, or prior to, the first Legal Assisting required course.  LA 300 must have been taken and passed with a grade of 'C' or better before any additional Legal Assisting courses may be attempted.