1. Program Review Presentation
Legal Assisting
Program Review Presentation
April 18, 2010

2. Program Description
The Legal Assisting Program provides two courses of study which satisfy both the state law and the American Bar Association requirements for legal assistants;
An AA degree in Legal Assisting
30 units of GE and 30 units of Legal Assisting course work successfully completed
A Legal Assisting Certificate
30 units of Legal Assisting course work
Available only to students already in possession of an AA or higher from a regionally accredited institution.

3. Program Description (continued)
In addition to the two options just described;
We offer a Law Office Assistant certificate in conjunctions with Business Technology
6 of the total 16 units are Legal Assisting courses
3 units, LA 300 Intro to Law and the American Legal System
3 units, LA 350 Law Office Management
Certificate of Completion of 6 units required by the State
Created at the request of State of CA employees as proof of completion of the required courses for eligibility to apply to the Legal Analyst classification within the State
3 units, LA 300 and 3 units LA 320 Legal Research (as proscribed by the State)

4. Program Strengths
Adjunct faculty have current experience in their fields and the course(s) they teach.
This benefits the students since the instructor knows the topic, is current with it, and makes 'real- life' assignments
Access to online legal research subscription service
This allows students to have hands-on experience with a commonly used professional tool
Planned course offering sequencing to enable timely completion of the program

5. Program Challenges
To provide a higher level of access to internet research databases-equivalent to 'law office' access, not merely 'academic' access
To offer courses at times and in a format that works best for students
To continue to offer a variety of faculty so students can benefit from different approaches to working in the legal field
To develop a way to maintain contact with graduates

6. Planning Implications
Maintain and expand contacts within the legal community
A primary resources for faculty
Understanding current developments in the field
Expanded Advisory Committee membership
Additional faculty meeting each semester to maintain, share and improve teaching techniques of adjunct faculty

7. Resource Allocations Eligibility for Perkins funding
Within the guidelines, this funding has allowed, and hopefully will continue to allow, institutional membership in, and regular attendance at the Annual National and Regional Conferences of the American Association for Paralegal Education
An IA for specialized assistance with online portions of courses.
Permanent release time for Program Coordinator
Increased presence in legal community and setting up compliance systems for eventual American Bar Association approval of the program