Paralegal - A.A.S. Degree/Certificate
Start Your Career as a Paralegal at Alvin Community College
Would you like to pursue a career that is both interesting and challenging? If so, a career as a Paralegal may be for you. A Paralegal plays an important role in the legal office. Under the supervision of an attorney, paralegals perform a wide variety of tasks in the legal office.
A successful paralegal must be:
- Detail-oriented
- Computer savvy
- Highly organized
- An effective written and oral communicator
- Good at multi-tasking
- Professional
- A good team player
If you possess these skills and traits along with the desire to learn about the legal system, a career as a paralegal may be right for you.
Career Opportunities
Paralegals are employed in all types of organizations including:
- law firms
- corporations
- banks
- insurance companies
- federal, state, and local governments
- legal aid organizations
Litigation, personal injury, corporate, criminal, and family law practices are just some of the areas where a Paralegal can find employment.
The need for paralegals has expanded greatly with population increases and the growing demand for legal services. According to the U.S. Labor statistics, employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 15 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The average salary for a paralegal in the Houston metro area is over $61,000. See U.S. Dept. of Labor Occupational Outlook for Paralegals.
For more information on paralegal career opportunities, please visit Career Coach where you can explore the local job market, take a career assessment, and build a resumé.
Career Data
What Will I Study?
By enrolling in ACC’s Paralegal Degree program you will learn legal terminology, how to conduct research and perform investigations, document drafting, litigation, and computer and organizational skills. We focus on providing you with the education and skills that employers are looking for. Alvin Community College offers an excellent education while keeping the tuition costs far less expensive than online schools, for-profit schools, and universities. Our courses are offered online as well as traditional face to face classes.
If you would like to obtain a paralegal education and enter the job market as quickly as possible, our Paralegal Certificate program is the perfect option. It also a great choice if you already have an associate or bachelor's degree, from an accredited college, in a different field of study.
Curriculum Guide - Paralegal - A.A.S. Degree/Certificate
Paralegal, A.A.S.
(CIP 22.0302)
281-756-3642
Purpose: The Associate of Applied Science Degree for Paralegal is designed to prepare the successful student for a career as a Paralegal. In this program, the student gains knowledge of legal and court procedures in rendering a variety of legal services, including research, case management, drafting of documents, client interviews, and law firm operations. The need for persons to assist the legal profession has expanded greatly with population increases and the growing demand for legal services. The qualified Paralegal may find employment with law firms, business and industry, including banks, title companies, insurance firms, governmental agencies, petrochemical companies, etc.
Attorneys generally set high standards of character and education for Paralegals. Paralegals must be responsible and mature individuals thoroughly conversant in legal terminology and procedures. The curriculum consists of various Paralegal courses, including a two-semester Cooperative Education (internship). The Cooperative Education courses provide the students with the opportunity to further increase their knowledge and skill levels needed for employment in the legal field.
Once a student has enrolled in the Paralegal program, courses must be completed in the proper sequence as shown in the catalog degree plan or must have the approval of the Paralegal Program Director.
First Year
First Semester (Fall)
Semester Credits: 15
Second Semester (Spring)
Semester Credits: 12
Third Semester (Summer)
Semester Credits: 9
Second Year
First Semester (Fall)
Semester Credits: 12
Second Semester (Spring)
- LGLA 2381 - Cooperative Ed II - Paralegal Assistant* Credits: 3
- Select 3 Course Credits from Creative Arts .+
- Select 3 Course Credits from Language, Philosophy and Culture +
- OR
- Credits: 3
- Select 3 Course Credits from Life and Physical Sciences Core Curriculum +
- Credits: 3
- Select 3 Course Credits from Social and Behavioral Sciences Core Curriculum +
Semester Credits: 12
Total Credits Required for A.A.S. Paralegal Degree: 60
+ Denotes core requirement. Speak with Department Chair or Pathways Advisor for proper course selection.
* Capstone course. If a student registers for a co-op course (internship), the student must have a co-op site arranged prior to the first day of the semester class.
** LGLA 1301 and LGLA 1311 must be taken during the first semester.
NOTES: Additional Paralegal courses may be offered in a semester.
Paralegal Certificate, CERT2
(CIP 22.0302)
281-756-3642
The Paralegal Certificate program is designed for individuals who would like to obtain their paralegal education and enter the job market as quickly as possible. This program is a great option for individuals who presently have an associate or bachelor's degree, from an accredited college, in a different field of study. The curriculum consists of various Paralegal courses, including a two-semester Cooperative Education (internship). The Cooperative Education courses provide the students with the opportunity to further increase their knowledge and skills levels needed for employment in the legal field.
All applicants must be TSI met in reading and writing to enroll in paralegal courses.
Once a student has enrolled in the Paralegal program, courses must be completed in the proper sequence as shown in the catalog degree plan or must have the approval of the Paralegal Program Director.
First Year
First Semester (Fall)
Semester Credits: 12
Second Semester (Spring)
Semester Credits: 12
Third Semester (Summer)
Semester Credits: 9
Second Year
First Semester (Fall)
Semester Credits: 9
Second Semester (Spring)
Semester Credits: 3
Total Credits Required for Paralegal Certificate: 45
* Capstone course. If a student registers for a co-op course (internship), the student must have a co-op site arranged prior to the first day of the semester class.
** LGLA 1301 and LGLA 1311 must be taken during the first semester.
NOTE: Additional Paralegal courses may be offered in a semester.
Approximate yearly costs for the A.A.S. Degree program are $4,200 for in-district students and $6,969 for those out-of-district. This includes tuition and fees. Additional fees for books and supplies may vary.
Yearly costs for the Certificate program are approximately $3,200 for in-district students and $5,271 for those out-of-district. This includes tuition and fees. Additional fees for books and supplies may vary.
For more information on education costs, payment options, payment plans, deadlines and more, visit our Tuition and Fees section.
Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. For more information, visit our Financial Aid section.
*Alvin Community College may change tuition rates and other fees without notice or when so directed by the Board of Regents.
COLLEGE & CAREER PATHWAYS
Paralegal is part of our Law, Government & Public Service Career Pathway. Click the box below to see other programs that may interest you.