Paralegal Studies, A.A.S.

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JJC Program Code: SS600

ICCB Program Code: P SER 0060

Paralegal studies is designed to prepare and provide students with a rigorous academic program as well as a career focused skills required to be successful working in the legal field. Under supervision of an attorney, duties may include preparing affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and maintaining documents in paper or electronic filing system; organizing and preparing exhibits for trial; preparing legal documents, including legal memoranda and briefs, pleadings, discovery, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements; meeting with clients and other professionals to discuss details of case and prepare witnesses; filing pleadings with court clerk; gathering and analyzing research data, statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents; investigating facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records, to determine causes of action and to prepare cases; directing and coordinating law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas. At the completion of the program, graduates should have the necessary skills to seek entry-level employment as paralegals.

The paralegal program at Joliet Junior College is a non-ABA approved program.

General Education Requirements: 18 Semester Hours

Major Core Requirements: 24 Semester Hours

Major Core Electives:18 Semester Hours

Includes Online Courses

This program includes the option for distance education courses (online and/or hybrid).

Total Required Hours: 60 Semester Hours

Completion Guide

First Semester

Second Semester

COMM 101 - Principles of Communication
PHIL 103 - Introduction to Ethics
PLS 105 - Legal Research and Writing I
PLS 120 - Civil Litigation
Also take 3 credit hours from Major Core Electives.

Third Semester

Fourth Semester

PLS 200 - Legal Research and Writing II
Also take 12 credit hours from Major Core Electives

Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements

To be awarded an Associate degree at Joliet Junior College, each student must meet the following requirements:

1. Satisfy all admissions requirements.

2. Complete the courses required to earn the given degree. If the student is a transfer student with coursework taken elsewhere, he/she must complete a minimum of 60

credit hours of which 15 credit hours applicable to the degree are earned at JJC. Proficiency test, CLEP, and Advanced Placement does not meet this requirement.

3. Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0.

4. Discharge all financial obligations to the College and have no restrictions.

5. File an application for graduation. An application should be filed at the time of registration for the student’s anticipated last semester.

6. Have all official transcripts from other college/universities on file in the Graduation Office by the graduation filing date for evaluation of credit. A delay in the process

may result in a later graduation date.

To be awarded a Certificate of Achievement, Certificate of Completion, or Occupational Certificate at JJC, each student must meet the following requirements:

1. Satisfy all admission requirements.

2. Complete the courses required to earn the chosen certificate. Complete a minimum of 1-8 credit hours (Occupational Certificate), 4-29 credit hours (Certificate of Completion) or 30-50 credit hours (Certificate of Achievement). If the student is a transfer student with coursework taken elsewhere, he/she must complete a minimum of 25% of the total required credit hours applicable to the certificate at JJC. Proficiency test, CLEP, and Advanced Placement do not meet this requirement.

3. Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in the area of concentration.

4. Discharge all financial obligations to the college and have no restrictions.

5. File an application for graduation. An application should be filed at the time of registration for the student’s anticipated last semester.

6. Have all official transcripts from other college/universities on file in the Graduation Office by the graduation filing date for evaluation of credit. A delay in the process

may result in a later graduation date.

Contact Information

Department Chairperson	Program Coordinator	Program Advisor
Name: Audrey Finkel	Name: Patricia A. Binfa	Name: Patricia A. Binfa
E-mail: afinkel@jjc.edu	E-mail: pbinfa@jjc.edu	E-mail: pbinfa@jjc.edu
Phone: 815-280-2412	Phone: 815-280-2449	Phone: 815-280-2449