Affordable
Quality education should not put you in the red. The cost of attending Irvine Valley College is very low compared to the private, UC, and CSU systems.
For pure, undiluted action, it’s hard to beat a career in the paralegal field. Professionals in this fast-paced sector command tremendous demand, and bold paychecks to match.
With job opportunities expected to grow 15% by 2026, the paralegal industry is one of the nation’s most upwardly mobile "Bright Outlook" occupations, according to occupational data application O-Net Online. The American Bar Association (ABA) approved Paralegal Studies program at Irvine Valley College provides a broad and versatile foundation for careers in administrative agencies, corporations, insurance companies, private law firms, local governments, and other legal environments.
"Students who do not already possess an associate or bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university must complete an associate degree (60 units) to receive the Certificate of Achievement. Students are required to complete at least 9 semester credits or equivalent of legal specialty courses through in-person or synchronous instruction."
The curriculum emphasizes practical, up-to-date training covering workplace-relevant career skills, as well as an introduction to legal theory. Courses are taught by experienced faculty with real-world experience as practicing attorneys and paralegals.
IVC Paralegal Studies program graduates enter the workforce qualified for paralegal employment under California Business and Professions Code, Section 6450.
The average full-time student can complete the program in 1.5 years.
A Paralegal Studies AS will prepare you for future study in the field of Legal Studies, Public Policy, Government Relations, Human Resources, or any law related discipline.
Department Chair
Sample Academic Plans
Course | Title | CAL-GETC AREA/MAJOR | Units |
---|---|---|---|
ENGL C1000 (WR 1) | Academic Reading and Writing | A2 & Major | 4 |
ECON 10, MGT 10, or PSYC 10 | Statistics for Business and Economics or Statistical Methods in Behavioral Sciences | B4 & Major | 3 |
COMM C1000 (COMM 1) | Introduction to Public Speaking | A1 & Major | 3 |
AJ 2 | Introduction to Administration of Justice | 4 & Major | 3 |
Transfer Elective | Transferable Elective | 1-3 |
Course | Title | CAL-GETC AREA/MAJOR | Units |
---|---|---|---|
ENGL C1001 (WR 2) | Critical Thinking and Writing | 1B & Major | 4 |
AJ 4 or AJ 6 | Crimminal Law I or Criminal Procedures | Major | 3 |
Arts | Arts GE Course | C1 | 3 |
PHIL 2 | Introduction to Ethics | C2 & Major | 3 |
Ethnic Studies | Ethnic Studies GE Course | 6 | 3 |
Course | Title | CAL-GETC AREA/MAJOR | Units |
---|---|---|---|
Major Course | Major Course from List A | Major | 3 |
COMM 2 or COMM 3 | Persuasion or Argumentation and Debate | Major | 3 |
HIST 20 or HIST 21 | American History Course | 3B or 4 & Major | 3 |
Biological Science | Biological Science GE Course | 5B | 3 |
Ethnic Studies | Ethnic Studies GE Course | 6 | 3 |
Course | Title | CAL-GETC AREA/MAJOR | Units |
---|---|---|---|
Major Course | Major Course from List A | Major | 3 |
POLS C1000 (PS 1) | American Government | D & Major | 3 |
Physical Science | Physical Science GE Course | B1 | 3 |
Science LAB | Physical Science Lab | B3 | 1 |
Transfer Elective | CSU Transferable Elective (Courses 1-199) | 3 | |
Transfer Elective | CSU Transferable Elective (Courses 1-199) | 1-3 |
Course | Title | CAL-GETC AREA/MAJOR | Units |
---|---|---|---|
ENGL C1000 (WR 1) | Academic Reading and Writing | 1A | 4 |
STAT C1000 (MATH 10) or PSYC 10 | Introduction to Statistics | 2 & Major | 3 |
COMM C1000 (COMM 1) 1 | Introduction to Public Speaking | 1C | 3 |
AJ 2 | Introduction to Administration of Justice | 4 & Major | 3 |
TRANSFER ELECTIVE | UC Transfer Elective (Courses 1-99) | 1-3 |
Course | Title | CAL-GETC AREA/MAJOR | Units |
---|---|---|---|
ENGL C1001 (WR 2) | Critical Thinking and Writing | 1B | 4 |
PSYC C1000 (PSYC 1) | Introduction to Psychology | 4 & Major | 3 |
ARTS | Arts GE Course | 3A | 3 |
HUMANITIES | Humanities GE Course | 3B | 3 |
AJ 4 | Criminal Law I (Recommended Elective) | 4 | 3 |
Course | Title | CAL-GETC AREA/MAJOR | Units |
---|---|---|---|
PSYC 30 or 37 | Social Psychology or Abnormal Psychology | 4 & Major | 3 |
PSYC 2 | Research Methods in Psychology | Major | 3 |
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE | Biological Science GE Course | 5B | 3 |
AJ 5 | Community and the Justice System (Recommended Elective) | 3 | |
ETHNIC STUDIES | Ethnic Studies GE Course | 7 | 3 |
Course | Title | CAL-GETC AREA/MAJOR | Units |
---|---|---|---|
ENV 1 | Introduction to Environmental Studies | 4 & Major | 3 |
PHYSICAL SCIENCE | Physical Science GE Course | 5A | 3 |
PHYSICAL SCIENCE LAB | Physical Science GE Lab | 5C | 1 |
TRANSFER ELECTIVE | UC Transfer Elective | 3 | |
TRANSFER ELECTIVE | UC Transfer Elective | 3 | |
TRANSFER ELECTIVE | UC Transfer Elective | 2-3 |
*Students may be eligible for one or more AA/AS/AA-T/AS-T degrees if they complete a GE transfer pattern, have specific courses, and have 60 transferable units. Please see a counselor for degree options and advisement.
Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
---|---|---|---|
ENGL C1000 (WR 1) | Academic Reading and Writing | 1A | 4 |
MATH | Math GE Course | 2 | 3-5 |
LGL 201 | Introduction to Paralegal Studies and Ethics | Major | 2 |
LGL 202 | Computer Technology and Electronic Research (Fall Only) | Major | 3.5 |
ARTS/HUMANITIES | Arts or Humanities GE Course | 3 | 3 |
Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
---|---|---|---|
Communication/Thinking | Communication/Analytical Thinking GE Course | 1B | 3-4 |
LGL 203 | Business Law Contracts and Torts | Major | 3 |
LGL Major | LGL Major Course Elective | Major | 3 |
SOCIAL SCIENCES | Social Sciences GE Course | 4 | 3 |
ELECTIVE | Degree Applicable Elective | 3 |
Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
---|---|---|---|
LGL 213 | Legal Ethics (Summer Only) | 2 |
Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
---|---|---|---|
LGL 205 | Introduction to Legal Research and Writing | Major | 3 |
LGL 206A | Civil Litigation I | Major | 3 |
LGL Major | LGL Major Course Elective | Major | 3 |
ETHNIC STUDIES | Ethnic Studies GE Course | 6 | 3 |
ELECTIVE | Degree Applicable Elective | 3 |
Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
---|---|---|---|
LGL 206B | Civil Litigation II | Major | 3 |
LGL Major | LGL Major Course Elective | Major | 3 |
LGL 168 | Cooperative Work Experience: Paralegal Studies | Major | 1-3 |
NATURAL SCIENCES | Natural Scienes GE Course | 5 | 3 |
ELECTIVE | Degree Applicable Elective | 3 |
Course | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
LGL 201 | Introduction to Paralegal Studies and Ethics | 2 |
LGL 202 | Computer Technology and Electronic Research | 3.5 |
LGL 203 | Business Law Contracts and Torts | 3 |
LGL 206A | Civil Litigation I | 3 |
Course | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
LGL 205 | Introduction to Legal Research and Writing | 3 |
LGL 206B | Civil Litigation II | 3 |
LGL Major | LGL Major Course Elective | 3 |
LGL Major | LGL Major Course Elective | 3 |
Course | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
LGL 213 | Legal Ethics | 2 |
LGL Major | LGL Major Course Elective | 3 |
AA = Associate of Arts | AS = Associate of Science | AA-T = Associate of Arts for Transfer | AS-T = Associate of Science for Transfer | COA = Certificate of Achievement | COC = Certificate of Completion | COP = Certificate of Proficiency | = Fast Track Career Path
Median Salary
$51,924
Job Growth
+8%
Education
New workers start around $36,182. Normal pay is $51,924 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $134,490.
Median Salary
$51,924
Job Growth
+8%
Median Salary
$96,118
Job Growth
+20%
Education
New workers start around $54,961. Normal pay is $96,118 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $151,683.
Median Salary
$96,118
Job Growth
+20%
Median Salary
$93,354
Job Growth
+5%
Education
New workers start around $49,643. Normal pay is $93,354 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $149,258.
Median Salary
$93,354
Job Growth
+5%
Median Salary
$129,078
Job Growth
+12%
Education
New workers start around $53,885. Normal pay is $129,078 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $219,620.
Median Salary
$129,078
Job Growth
+12%
Median Salary
$129,078
Job Growth
+12%
Education
New workers start around $53,885. Normal pay is $129,078 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $219,620.
Median Salary
$129,078
Job Growth
+12%
Median Salary
$52,614
Job Growth
+30%
Education
New workers start around $22,172. Normal pay is $52,614 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $150,324.
Median Salary
$52,614
Job Growth
+30%
Exploratory Interest Area
Explore Paralegal Studies while still working toward your academic goals.
Talk with a Counselor
Speak to one of IVC’s Academic Counselors to learn more about all of your options.
Why choose IVC?
Affordable
Quality education should not put you in the red. The cost of attending Irvine Valley College is very low compared to the private, UC, and CSU systems.
Career Preparation
With Fast Track Career Paths, at IVC, we give you the tools to quickly enter the workforce and start making money.
#1 in Transfers
Looking to transfer to a four-year university? With #1 in transfers in Orange County to the UC System, IVC is the best place to start!