鶹ɫƬ

GC Arts and Humanities Pathway

Paralegal

Prepare for a career in law with 鶹ɫƬ's Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies. Our program provides comprehensive training in legal research, writing, and case preparation and coursework in contracts, torts, and family law. Students will gain the skills necessary to support attorneys, manage legal documents, and navigate court procedures while trained by experienced professionals in the field. 

Why Choose 鶹ɫƬ?

With affordable tuition, flexible schedules, and personalized instruction, Galveston College offers an accessible and high-quality education for those pursuing a paralegal career. Whether you aim to work as a legal assistant, litigation support specialist, or law office administrator, our program prepares you for success in the legal profession.

 

Overview

Name

Andre Isbell, PhD

Title Program Coordinator
Room N-314
Program Area Criminal Justice
Phone 409-944-1331
Email aisbell@gc.edu 
Admin Support

Kayla Pangarakis

409-944-1320

 

The transfer curriculum includes several paralegal study courses, general education, and elective courses. The transfer curriculum is designed for students who plan to pursue a degree in Paralegal Studies at a senior college or university after completing their studies at 鶹ɫƬ. The student will be eligible to graduate from 鶹ɫƬ with an Associate of Science degree upon completing the prescribed courses. The graduate will also meet the requirements to transfer to a four-year university to complete their bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies.    

Full-Time Enrollment 

FIRST YEAR  

First Semester  

  

Second Semester  

  

ENGL 1301 Composition I 

 

LGLA 1317 Law Office Technology   

 

MATH 1332 Contemporary Math or Higher 

 

LGLA 1311 Introduction to Law 

 

LGLA 1301 Legal Research and Writing 

 

LGLA 1345 Civil Litigation  

 

LGLA 1313 Introduction to Paralegal Studies  

 

Life & Physical Science**

3 

CRIJ 1310 Fundamentals of Criminal Law 

 

 

 

 

15

 

12

 

Third Semester

 

GOVT 2306 Texas Government 

3

CRIJ 1301 Introduction to Criminal Justice 

3

Language, Philosophy, and Culture Elective**

3

 

9

 

SECOND YEAR  

LGLA 1355 Family Law 

 

LGLA 2305 Interviewing & Investigating  

 

SPCH 1321 Business and Professional Communication  

 

LGLA 1353 Wills, Trusts, & Probate Admin 

 

LGLA 2331 Advanced Legal Research & Writing 

 

LGLA 1359 Immigration Law 

3 

LGLA 2303 Torts and Personal Injury 

 

LGLA 2388 Internship Legal Assistant/Paralegal*or LGLA 2333 Advanced Legal Document Preparation 

3 

 

 12

 

 12

 

Total Semester Credit Hours: 60  

Notes 

**Select from courses listed in 鶹ɫƬ’s Core Curriculum section of this catalog. 

*Identifies Capstone course    

LGLA 1301 Legal Research and Writing (3-0) Credit:3  

Prerequisites: TSI Satisfied with literacy 

This course presents the fundamentals of effective legal research and writing, emphasizing the paralegal’s role, including resources and processes used in legal research and writing.  

LGLA 1311 Introduction to Law (3-0) Credit:3   

Prerequisites: LGLA 1301, LGLA 1313 

This course presents legal terminology relating to substantive areas of law and the federal and state judicial systems and emphasizes the paralegal’s role in the legal system. 

LGLA 1313 Introduction to Paralegal Studies (3-0) Credit:3 

Prerequisites: TSI Satisfied with literacy 

This course provides an overview of the paralegal profession, including ethical obligations, regulations, professional trends, issues, and the paralegal’s role in assisting the delivery of legal services. 

LGLA 1317 Law Office Technology (3-0) Credit:3 

Prerequisites: LGLA 1301, LGLA 1313 

This course introduces computer technology and software applications within the law office, emphasizing the paralegal's role in using law office technology. 

LGLA 1345 Civil Litigation (3-0) Credit:3 

Prerequisites: LGLA 1301, LGLA 1313 

This course presents fundamental concepts and procedures of civil litigation, including pretrial, trial, and post-trial phases of litigation, and emphasizes the paralegal’s role in the civil litigation process. 

LGLA 1353 Wills, Trusts, & Probate Admin (3-0) Credit:3 

Prerequisites: LGLA 2331, LGLA 1355, LGLA 2303 

This course presents fundamental concepts of the law of wills, trusts, and probate administration, emphasizing the paralegal's role. 

LGLA 1355 Family Law (3-0) Credit:3 

Prerequisites: LGLA 1317, LGLA 1311 and LGLA 1345 

This course presents fundamental family law concepts, including formal and informal marriages, divorce, annulment, marital property, and the parent-child relationship, emphasizing the paralegal’s role in family law. 

LGLA 1359 Immigration Law (3-0) Credit:3 

Prerequisites: LGLA 2331, LGLA 1355, LGLA 2303 

Presents fundamental immigration law concepts, including substantive and procedural law related to visa applications, deportation, naturalization, and citizenship, emphasizing the paralegal's role in immigration law. 

LGLA 2303 Torts and Personal Injury (3-0) Credit:3 

Prerequisites: LGLA 1317, LGLA 1311 and LGLA 1345 

This course presents fundamental concepts of tort and personal injury law, including intentional torts, negligence, and strict liability, emphasizing the paralegal’s role. 

LGLA 2305 Interviewing & Investigating (3-0) Credit:3 

Prerequisites: LGLA 2331, LGLA 1355, LGLA 2303 

A study of techniques used to locate, gather, document, and manage information with emphasis on developing interview and investigative skills and the paralegal’s role in interviewing and investigating legal matters. 

LGLA 2331 Advanced Legal Research & Writing (3-0) Credit:3 

Prerequisites: LGLA 1317, LGLA 1311 and LGLA 1345 

It builds on previous legal research and writing courses and covers standard and electronic research techniques and preparation of complex legal 

LGLA 2333 Advanced Legal Document Preparation (3-0) Credit:3 

Prerequisites: LGLA 1301, LGLA1313, LGLA 1311, LGLA 1317, LGLA 1345, LGLA 1355, LGLA 2331, LGLA 2303 

This course emphasizes the use of office technology skills in the preparation of legal documents by paralegals based on hypothetical situations drawn from various areas of law 

LGLA 2388 Internship Legal Assistant/Paralegal 

Prerequisites: LGLA 1301, LGLA1313, LGLA 1311, LGLA 1317, LGLA 1345, LGLA 1355, LGLA 2331, LGLA 2303 

A work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply. specialized occupational theory, skills, and concepts. The college and the employer develop a learning plan. This may be a paid or unpaid experience. Students must complete the minimum on-site internship hours under appropriate site supervision. This internship is a capstone course and a requirement for program completion. 

  • Legal Assistant: Support lawyers and law firms with research, document preparation, and case management. 
  • Litigation Support Specialist: Help attorneys prepare for trials by organizing evidence and documents. 
  • Legal Researcher: Conduct research and analyze laws and regulations to support legal cases. 
  • Law Office Administrator: Manage the day-to-day operations of a law firm or legal department. 

According to the Texas Workforce Commission, these positions listed above will grow from 8% to 22% annually between 2020 and 2030. These jobs have a median annual salary of $51,740. As law firms try to increase legal services' efficiency and reduce costs, there is expected to be a strong demand to hire many more paralegals and legal assistants. Additionally, the demand for lawyers will continue as individuals, businesses, and governments require legal services in many areas.  

Course catalog information

Next Steps

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Name Sharon Pagan
Phone 409-944-1410
Email spagan@gc.edu
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