Paralegal, Associate in Applied Science
College(s):
HW WRProgram Code: 0304
The Associate in Applied Science degree in Paralegal prepares students with the skills to become highly trained paralegals to meet the needs of corporations, law firms and offices, and other sectors where law-related work is performed. Program completion can lead to employment in any area where law-related work is conducted. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law. The program is approved by the American Bar Association at Wright College.
To learn more about the Paralegal program at each college, including transfer policies, students can visit the Paralegal program website for their college.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Coursework | ||
| ENGLISH 101 | Composition | 3 |
| ENGLISH 102 | Composition | 3 |
| SPEECH 101 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 |
| Courses from at least three of the following disciplines 1 | 15 | |
Fine Arts and Humanities | ||
| Required Program Core | ||
| PARALEG 147 | Intro to Paralegal Studies | 3 |
| PARALEG 148 | Civil Litigation | 3 |
| PARALEG 149 | Family Law | 3 |
| PARALEG 219 | Real Estate Law for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PARALEG 222 | Contract Law for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PARALEG 223 | Tort Law | 3 |
| PARALEG 225 | Legal Research and Writing | 3 |
| PARALEG 238 | Legal Ethics for the Paralegal | 3 |
| Program Electives 2 | 12 | |
| Legal Research and Writing I | ||
| Criminal Law for the Paralegal | ||
| Wills, Trusts and Probate | ||
| Internship for the Paralegal | ||
| Elder Law | ||
| Environmental Law for the Paralegal | ||
| Immigration Law | ||
| Business Organizations & Agency Law | ||
| Computers in the Law Office | ||
| Total Hours | 60 | |
- 1
At least one course must satisfy the Human Diversity (HD) requirement
- 2
Students may select up to two additional general education courses (6 hours) to count toward their program elective requirements
Pathway
This is an example course sequence for students interested in Paralegal. It does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If this pathway is followed as outlined, you will earn an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree. All prescribed courses on this pathway are required for the degree. Courses may not be substituted. Students should meet with a College Advisor for selection of elective courses.
The AAS program at Wright College is approved by the American Bar Association. As a result, students wishing to graduate from the Wright College Paralegal Program will need to take all of their Paralegal (PARALEG) courses at Wright College (with the exception of General Education courses).
Choose your courses with your College Advisor.
Semester-by-Semester Program Plan for Full-Time Students
All plans can be modified to fit the needs of part-time students by adding more semesters.
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGLISH 101 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| PARALEG 147 | Intro to Paralegal Studies | 3 |
| PARALEG 148 | Civil Litigation | 3 |
| PARALEG 149 | Family Law | 3 |
| PARALEG 238 | Legal Ethics for the Paralegal | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| ENGLISH 102 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| PARALEG 219 | Real Estate Law for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PARALEG 222 | Contract Law for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PARALEG 223 | Tort Law | 3 |
| SPEECH 101 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 2-3 |
| Hours | 14-15 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| PARALEG 225 | Legal Research and Writing | 3 |
| General Education Course 1 | 3 | |
| General Education Course 1 | 3 | |
| Program Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Program Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| General Education Course 1 | 3 | |
| General Education Course 1 | 3 | |
| Program Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Program Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Any IAI Approved Human Diversity course 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 59-60 | |
- 1
General Education Requirement
- 2
Program Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PARALEG 150 | Legal Research and Writing I | 3 |
| PARALEG 220 | Criminal Law for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PARALEG 224 | Wills, Trusts and Probate | 3 |
| PARALEG 226 | Internship for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PARALEG 227 | Elder Law | 3 |
| PARALEG 228 | Environmental Law for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PARALEG 229 | Immigration Law | 3 |
| PARALEG 239 | Business Organizations & Agency Law | 3 |
| PARALEG 240 | Computers in the Law Office | 3 |
| Additional General Education courses (up to 6 hours) | ||
Choose your courses with your College Advisor.
Semester-by-Semester Program Plan for Students with a Prior-Earned Degree or General Education Courses Completed
All plans can be modified to fit the needs of part-time students by adding more semesters.
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGLISH 101 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| SPEECH 101 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 |
| Any IAI Approved Human Diversity Course 1 | 3 | |
| General Education Course 1 | 3 | |
| General Education Course 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| ENGLISH 102 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| General Education Course 1 | 3 | |
| General Education Course 1 | 3 | |
| General Education Course 1 | 3 | |
| General Education Course 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| PARALEG 147 | Intro to Paralegal Studies | 3 |
| PARALEG 148 | Civil Litigation | 3 |
| PARALEG 149 | Family Law | 3 |
| PARALEG 223 | Tort Law | 3 |
| PARALEG 238 | Legal Ethics for the Paralegal | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| PARALEG 219 | Real Estate Law for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PARALEG 222 | Contract Law for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PARALEG 225 | Legal Research and Writing | 3 |
| Program Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Program Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
- 1
General Education Requirement
- 2
PROGRAM ELECTIVES
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PARALEG 150 | Legal Research and Writing I | 3 |
| PARALEG 220 | Criminal Law for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PARALEG 224 | Wills, Trusts and Probate | 3 |
| PARALEG 226 | Internship for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PARALEG 227 | Elder Law | 3 |
| PARALEG 228 | Environmental Law for the Paralegal | 3 |
| PARALEG 229 | Immigration Law | 3 |
| PARALEG 239 | Business Organizations & Agency Law | 3 |
| PARALEG 240 | Computers in the Law Office | 3 |
| Additional General Education courses (up to 6 hours) | ||
Careers
This program can prepare students for the jobs listed below. Click on each one to learn more, including average earnings, annual job openings, and how much education people in that field have. For additional guidance and resources on career options, current City Colleges students and alumni can contact the Career Services Office.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Job Description
Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.
Salary Based on Experience Level
Take a look at the average hourly/annual earnings for this career in Cook County
Emsi earnings figures are based on OES data from the BLS and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Annual Wages
| Entry-Level 10th Percentile | $39,911 |
|---|---|
| Median 50th Percentile | $61,024 |
| Senior-Level 90th Percentile | $93,968 |
Hourly Wages
| Entry-Level 10th Percentile | $19 |
|---|---|
| Median 50th Percentile | $29 |
| Senior-Level 90th Percentile | $45 |
Annual Job Openings
1020 annual openings in Cook County
National Education Attainment
Here, you can see the level of education that people in this career complete.
| Degree Program | % of Jobs |
|---|---|
| A high school diploma or less | 3.42% |
| A certificate | 7.25% |
| Some college | 0.00% |
| An Associate degree | 50.23% |
| A Bachelor's degree | 39.10% |
| A Master's or Professional degree | 0.00% |
| A Doctoral degree or more | 0.00% |
39.10% continue their education beyond an associate degree