Paralegal Studies
A.A.S. - Occupational Degree
Preparation for entry level employment in law offices. Provides students with practical legal skills enabling them to draft legal documents. Students are familiarized with fundamental concepts of substantive areas such as torts and business law. Legal theory and related practical applications are integrated throughout the program.
Program Purpose
Graduates will demonstrate 1) basic knowledge in legal skills which will prepare them to obtain an entry level position within a law office, corporation, governmental agency, or other entity and 2) competency in communications, critical thinking, quantitative analysis, and technological applications.
Learning Outcomes
- Implement skills and techniques involved in law practice that aid understanding criminal law and complying with both state and federal law.
Program Map
Recommended Program Map / Program Requirements
The recommended plan below is effective for students starting Fall 2025 and meets the requirements to complete this program. For official requirements, visit the AWC Catalog. If the recommended classes listed below don’t fit your schedule or interests, you can take alternate classes.
Visit Academic Planning to get started on your personalized Academic Plan or schedule an appointment with the Advising Office.
First Semester: Fall 2025
| Course | Course Title | Credits | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAS 101 | Introduction to Law | 3 | Major Requirement |
| LAS 131 | Legal Writing | 3 | Major Requirement |
| LAS 212 | Insurance and Tort Law | 3 | Major Requirement |
| LAS 217 | Family Law | 3 | Major Requirement |
| LAS 219 | Bankruptcy | 3 | Major Requirement |
| 15 |
Second Semester: Spring 2026
| Course | Course Title | Credits | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAS 100 | Introduction to Paralegalism | 3 | Major Requirement |
| LAS 109 | Legal Procedures | 4 | Major Requirement |
| LAS 115 | Criminal Trial Procedure | 3 | Major Requirement |
| LAS 204 | Business Law for Paralegals | 3 | Major Requirement |
| ENG 100 | Intro to Composition/GE | 3 | GE-Written & Oral Communication |
| 16 |
Third Semester: Fall 2026
| Course | Course Title | Credits | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAS 208 | Probate | 3 | Major Requirement |
| LAS 211 | Legal Research | 3 | Major Requirement |
| LAS 220 | Legal Interviewing, Investigating, & Report Writing | 3 | Major Requirement |
| ENG 101 | Freshman Composition I/GE | 3 | GE-Written & Oral Communication |
| MAT 105 | Math for the Applied Sciences/GE (or higher) | 3 | GE-Quantitative Reasoning |
| 15 |
Fourth Semester: Spring 2027
| Course | Course Title | Credits | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAS 216 | Real Estate Transactions | 3 | Major Requirement |
| LAS 218 | Administrative Law | 3 | Major Requirement |
| PHI 105 | Introduction to Ethics/GE (recommended) | 3 | GE-Arts & Humanities |
| AJS 225 | Criminology/GE (recommended) | 3 | GE-Social & Behavioral Science |
| POS 110 | American Politics/GE (recommended) | 3 | GE-Institutions in the Americas |
| NAT SCI | Choose a course from Natural Sciences | 4 | GE-Natural Sciences |
| 19 |
Additional Information
Please note that this program map is valid through Spring 2026. Program courses and sequencing will be updated starting Fall 2026. For further information, please contact Brenda Doak (brenda.doak@azwestern.edu).