The Santa Rosa Junior College Paralegal Studies Certificate is a program for students seeking employment in the legal field and in business. The curriculum blends an understanding of legal theory and practical skills, based on actual paralegal job responsibilities. Classes are taught by practicing attorneys and paralegals primarily online in either synchronous or asynchronous formats. The guiding principles of the program are two-fold: to offer a curriculum that teaches the practical applications of legal theory and to advance the paralegal profession by offering a rigorous course of study that develops resourceful legal problem solvers. By completing this program, students will have met the educational requirements for paralegals as stated in the California Business and Professions Code, commencing with section 6450.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

✔ Locate statutes and case law by researching legal issues;
✔ Compose legal documents and complete mandated legal court forms;
✔ Apply learned critical thinking and analytical skills to client matters;
✔ Compile and organize materials efficiently for trials;
✔ Interview witnesses and conduct investigations on the behalf of clients; and
✔ Complete specific, substantive tasks as delegated by the supervising attorney.