American River College
4700 College Oak Drive
Sacramento, CA 95841
Students who have earned an AA, or higher, degree from a regionally accredited institution qualify for a Certificate upon successful completion of 30 units of Legal Assisting courses as outlined below. ( The18 units of Core Requirements plus 12 units of Concentration Requirements.) Please see an academic counselor to have transcripts evaluated. Counseling may be contacted by clicking on: http://www.arc.losrios.edu/~counsel/
Introduction to Law & Legal Research Certificate:
This 6 unit certificate is designed to meet the minimum educational requirements
of the State of California for the position of Legal Assistant within the state
employment structure. Completion of LA 300 Introduction to Law and the American
Legal System along with LA 320 Legal Research with a grade of 'C' or better will
qualify the student for this certificate.
AA Degree Requirements:
Students who have not earned an AA, or higher, degree from a regionally accredited institution must complete the requirements for the AA degree. In addition to the Legal Assisting courses outlined below, students must also complete the general education graduation requirements for an A.A. degree. See graduation requirements listed in the college catalog, or speak with a counselor.
Requirements for Legal Assisting Degree or Legal Assisting Certificate
| Core Requirements | Units |
| Legal Assisting 300 (formerly LA 10)
Introduction to Law and the American Legal System |
3 |
| Legal Assisting 310 (formerly LA 11)
Civil Procedure and Litigation |
3 |
| Legal Assisting 312 (formerly LA 12)
Torts and Personal Injury |
3 |
| Legal Assisting 314 (formerly LA 13)
Contract Law for Legal Assistants |
3 |
| Legal Assisting 320 (formerly LA 14A)
Legal Research |
3 |
| Legal Assisting 321 (formerly LA 14B)
Legal Writing |
3 |
| Concentration Requirements
(see below) |
12 |
| Total Required Units | 30 |
| Concentration Requirements
Select 12 units from the following: |
Units |
| Legal Assisting 330 (formerly LA 20)
Family Law and Procedure |
3 |
| Legal Assisting 332 (formerly LA 21)
Administrative Law and Procedure |
3 |
| Legal Assisting 334 (formerly LA 23)
Criminal Law and Procedure |
3 |
| Legal Assisting 340 (formerly LA 22)
Techniques of Interview |
1 |
| Legal Assisting 342 (formerly LA 24)
Evidence |
3 |
| Legal Assisting 350 (formerly LA 25)
Law Office Management |
3 |
| Legal Assisting 360 (formerly LA 26)
Corporations Law |
3 |
| Legal Assisting 362 (formerly LA 27)
Estate Planning and Probate Procedure |
3 |
| Legal Assisting 364 (formerly LA 28)
Landlord Tenant Law |
3 |
| Legal Assisting 366 (formerly LA 29)
Basic Bankruptcy |
3 |
| Legal Assisting 368 (formerly LA 30)
Workers' Compensation Law |
3 |
| Legal Assisting 497 (formerly LA 48)
Legal Assisting Internship |
2-4 |