American River College
Enroll at American River College Paralegal Program
Paralegal programs include an Associate of Arts and Associate of Science which will be presented after completion of the two-year formal education. The types of programs that satisfy the formal education requirement are usually offered at community colleges, and at certain four-year colleges and universities. In addition to the 15-30 semester units of paralegal courses, the curriculum typically contains general education coursework such as English, mathematics, science, history, social sciences and humanities.
A baccalaureate degree (a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science) is awarded after the student successfully completes four years of formal education, which is about 120 semester units, or 180 quarter units. Students will usually major or minor in paralegal studies, completing between 18 and 45 semester units in that field. The curriculum is rounded out by general studies classes and electives.
Private profit-making colleges, mostly business schools, provide a certificate course called Proprietary programs. The length and curriculum of these programs greatly vary; however the programs, respectively, may be completed in as little as three to eighteen months. A high school diploma is usually needed to enter the program.
Most colleges offer a post-graduate program to students through a continuing education program, with semester lengths usually running from 8 to 24 semesters. Upon entry, the student demonstrates by means of a degree that the general education section has been accomplished. The majority of the programs can be finished in only one year or even a shorter time. Some colleges will honor continuing education units. These are nationally recognized, standard units of measurement used by post-secondary programs, and educational courses, that don't carry college credits. There are certificate programs at other colleges that offer credits at the post-baccalaureate level.