Phoenix Career College has earned a reputation for providing quality paralegal training by producing skilled graduates who are sought after by employers. In addition, the program has been approved by The American Bar Association since 1987.

Paralegals have become indispensable components of the legal and business fields. They perform many of the tasks that attorneys were previously responsible for doing. That extra assistance allows attorneys to work more efficiently, making paralegals an extremely cost-effective addition to any business or law office.

In today's highly technical work environment, your Phoenix Career College education will help you not only to survive, but to succeed. The College strives to provide students with every opportunity to make themselves successful - from the Financial Aid and Career Development departments, to the helpful, friendly faculty and staff, to the superior level of education.

Your paralegal career should begin with training from Phoenix Career College.

PARALEGAL STUDIES
(Associate of Arts)

This program is available days or nights.

The objective of the Paralegal Studies program is to prepare students with the knowledge, technical skills, and work habits required for a wide variety of entry-level paralegal positions while achieving general education objectives that prepare students for the workplace and future academic endeavors. Undergraduate paralegal studies courses stress understanding fundamental legal terminology and concepts while developing basic practical skills that will enable graduates to make effective use of their training and education. General education courses focus on skills in rhetoric and social studies that develop individuals’ general abilities in society and the workplace. Graduates receive an Associate of Arts degree in Paralegal Studies.

IT134 – Software and Legal Applications
Quarter Credits: 6.0
This course introduces the student to the concepts and applications of electronic spreadsheets, word processing, and databases. Spreadsheet topics include design, calculations, functions, formatting, and charts. Word processing includes experience in formatting letters, memos, reports, and other documents, Database topics include file creation sorting, searching, indexing, report design, screening forms, and file manipulation. Emphasis will be placed on using the software applications in research and in the preparation of legal documents.
Prerequisite: None

CM102 – English Composition I
Quarter Credits: 4.0
This course explores options in the organization and presentation of effective writing. Emphasis will be on developing the elements of form and style in writing through the study of rhetorical modes such as narration, definition, comparison/contract, process, and persuasion. Students are also introduced to research and documentation methods.
Prerequisite: None

CM203 – Oral Communication
Quarter Credits: 4.0
This course is designed to help the students improve skills in oral communication on three levels: interpersonal, small group, and formal presentation. This course also covers individual presentations, critiques, group discussion, and oral presentation preparation, organization and delivery.
Prerequisite: CM102

CM220 – English Composition II
Quarter Credits: 4.0
This course helps students use skills that are central to academic and professional success in the Information Age: research for sources on a topic, analysis of how different kinds of sources can help students understand a topic, critical interpretation, and written argument. Students will learn the best strategies for finding sources in libraries and on the Internet. Just as importantly, students will address the different kinds of sources typically used in research projects and compare the advantages and disadvantages of using each of these types of sources. Students will learn critical assessment skills necessary for evaluating all sources of information, particularly those that are Internet-based. All of this research and analysis training will support the student’s systematic production of a substantial research paper. Throughout this process, guidelines for analytical writing and citation of sources will be emphasized.
Prerequisite: CM102

HU 101 - Introduction to Humanities
Quarter Credits: 4.0
Fulfilling the requirements for this course will enable the student to discuss art, music, literature and philosophy with an awareness of 1) the importance of correct definitions of concepts; 2) the significance of time periods and styles; and 3) the rich complexity of individual works.
Prerequisite: CM102 and 220

PA101 – Introduction to Paralegal Studies
Quarter Credits: 4.0
This is an introductory course that will familiarize the student with the role of the paralegal in both the workplace and the American legal system. The course is designed to expose the student to current trends and issues in the profession, the regulation of the profession, the professional associations available to the paralegal, as well as the ethical considerations associated with the legal profession. Students will also receive basic introductions into the various areas of legal practice such as law office organization, legal research, and litigation and advocacy. This course will provide the student with a good introductory overview of the paralegal’s role and contribution to today’s legal system.
Prerequisite: None

PA110 – Civil Litigation and Procedures I
Quarter Credits: 4.0
In this course students will be introduced to civil litigation. Knowing the civil law process is very important to paralegals, as well as to individuals who want to learn more about their legal rights when bringing or defending a lawsuit. Topics of study include informal fact gathering and investigation, case management and strategy, jurisdiction, the structure of the court systems in the United States, parities and ways in which to join parities, pleadings, and motions.
Prerequisite: PA101

PA112 – Civil Litigation and Procedures II
Quarter Credits: 4.0
In this course students will continue to learn about the civil litigation process, with emphasis on preparing for trial, trial procedures, and post-trial procedures. Topics of study include provisional remedies, and introduction to evidentiary considerations, discovery, settlement, preparing for trial, trial procedures, appeals, enforcement of judgments, and a brief introduction to alternative dispute resolution options.
Prerequisite: PA101 and PA110

PA130 – Contracts
Quarter Credits: 4.0
In this course students will become familiar with and competent in the rights and obligations that arise from contract agreements. Major topics of study include the basic elements that formulate valid contracts, the various types of contracts and their use, the Uniform Commercial Code, and resulting situations when contracts might have been broken. Additional topics of study include formal contracting, commercial contracts, when contract must be written and who may be responsible for their rights and obligations under contract law.
Prerequisite: PA101

PA202 – Business Organizations
Quarter Credits: 4.0
In this course the students will become familiar with what constitutes a business entity, how such entities are formed, how they are taxed and financed, and what the rights and obligations are for sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. Major topics of study include contract law, the Uniform Commercial Code, business structures, commercial paper, agency law, and business financing and taxation including methods for establishing and reporting transactions, corporate liability and personal liabilities.
Prerequisite: PA101

PA203 – Interviewing and Investigation
Quarter Credits: 4.0
This course presents the ethical aspects of interviewing and confidentiality, types of interviews, types of clients and witnesses, interview preparation techniques, the effective interview environment, questioning and listening skills, the interview format, problem solving, and counseling skills. The section on investigation covers the qualities of an effective investigator, how to develop a plan and find the facts, how to get information from public records, libraries and computer sources, and how to find witnesses.
Prerequisite: PA101

PA205 – Legal Research and Writing
Quarter Credits: 8.0
One of the basic tasks performed by the paralegal is legal research – finding the law. Accurate, concise, and up-to-date information can be the difference between winning and losing a lawsuit. Students who complete this course gain specialized skills in the area of legal research.
Prerequisite: PA101 and CM220

PA221 – Wills, Trusts and Estates
Quarter Credits: 4.0
Wills divide the property a person has accumulated during his/her life; therefore, precise legal requirements must be met when preparing wills. Topics of study in this course include the basic elements of a will, types of wills, responsibilities of the personal representative, contesting, revoking and terminating a will, the role of government, classes of trusts, rules governing trusts, purposes of estate planning, probate, and guardianships. Tax ramifications are also presented.
Prerequisite: PA101

PA250 – Family Law
Quarter Credits: 4.0
In this course students will become familiar with family law practices and procedures from pre-marriage through marriage to post-marriage rights and obligations of all family members. Major topics of study include the history and development of family law, engagements and prenuptial agreements, ceremonial and common law marriages, separation agreements, annulment, divorce and legal separation, and the custodial and property rights and obligations of all parties throughout the procedures. An emphasis will be placed on the general legal principles that deal with the institution of marriage in the United States through the separation and support procedures that arise there from.
Prerequisite: PA101

PA254 – Ethics and Office Management Procedures
Quarter Credits: 4.0
This course is designed to cover all aspects of the professional responsibilities and ethical guidelines which paralegal professionals are expected to adhere to in the course of their employment. Special emphasis will be placed on those activities that constitute unethical conduct. Students will explore the areas of client confidentiality, conflict of interest, ethical considerations related to client funds, as well as the unauthorized practice of law. This course will familiarize the student with the various Canons and Codes of Ethics governing the practice of law. Additionally, the course will cover the ethical and procedural practices that make up the operations of the law office, including maintaining and protecting client files and trust accounts. Included will be examples of unethical practices in specific situations.
Prerequisite: PA101

PA260 – Criminal Law and Procedures
Quarter Credits: 4.0
This course is designed to familiarize the student with the similarities and differences that exist between the area of criminal law and civil law through case examples and analyses. Constitutional protections, statutory and Common law principles are explored as they relate to the area of criminal law. Emphasis is placed on the roles of prosecutor, defense counsel, and the paralegal during criminal prosecutions. Examples of criminal cases are utilized to explain the process and analyze appropriate defenses for specific types of crimes. Significant Supreme Court case decisions are included to demonstrate the interrelationships among concepts and principles and their applicability to criminal law. This course will also explain the role of the paralegal as they work procedurally through a criminal case from the initial arrest through intake interviews, preliminary hearings, grand jury, trial, sentencing, and appeal.
Prerequisite: PA101

PA261 – Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Relations
Quarter Credits: 4.0
When it comes to debtor’s and creditor’s rights, it is important to know both sides. This course presents the law governing the collection of debts, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Federal Wage Garnishment Act, attachment, creditor’s remedies, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyances Act, and exempt property. Chapters 7, 11, and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code are also presented.
Prerequisite: PA101

PA296 – Externship Lecture
Quarter Credits: 1.0
During the externship program students are initiated into supervised work experience in an approved setting. Sites may include law firm offices, corporations, banks, unions, federal, state or local agencies, courts, etc. Students will become acquainted with the practical aspects of a paralegal career. Students spend 120 hours working in a law office, corporate legal department, or other legal setting, and 10 hours in class discussion and projects exploring legal assistant utilization issues and internship strategies. PA296 is the lecture and discussion course, which is a prerequisite to the externship, PA297.
Prerequisites: PA101

PA297– Externship
Quarter Credits: 4.0
During the externship program students are initiated into supervised work experience in an approved setting. Sites may include law firm offices, corporations, banks, unions, federal, state or local agencies, courts, etc. Students will become acquainted with the practical aspects of a paralegal career. Students spend 120 hours working in a law office, corporate legal department, or other legal setting, and 10 hours in class discussion and projects exploring legal assistant utilization issues and internship strategies. PA296 is the lecture and discussion course, which is a prerequisite to the externship, PA297.
Prerequisites: PA296

PA300 – Real Estate Law
Quarter Credits: 4.0
In this course students will become familiar with what real estate is, what the laws and procedures are to deal with real estate transactions and all of the supporting documentation to transfer title. Major topics of study include the nature and scope of real property, the transference of real property, the rights and obligations of owners and occupants of real property, and the concepts of land use and regulation. Additional topics of study will include easements, mortgages, purchase and sales agreements, financing, taxation, landlord-tenant relations, closing, and adverse possession.
Prerequisite: PA101 and PA130

PA310 – Torts and Personal Injury
Quarter Credits: 4.0
This course is designed to provide an introduction to the broad area of civil wrongs and the appropriate remedies, as well as the practice of Tort law and related principles in the traditional areas of intentional torts, negligence, absolute liability, product liability, joint and several liability, vicarious liability, professional malpractice and introductions to insurance law and bad faith claims. The course will introduce the student to the commonly employed defenses to specific torts, including contributory negligence, assumption of the risk, and affirmative defenses. The course will provide an overview of accident investigation, witness interviewing and pleadings, and practice specific to Tort law.
Prerequisites: PA101, PA110, PA112, and PA260

MA 101 - College Algebra
Quarter Credits: 4.0
The student will demonstrate: an understanding of the general concepts of relation and function and specifically of polynomial, exponential, and logarithmic functions; the ability to solve system of equations by utilizing matrices and determinants; and the ability to solve practical problems using algebra.
Prerequisite: None

PH 103 - Critical Thinking
Quarter Credits: 4.0
The purpose of this course is to develop students’ abilities to recognize and analyze argumentation as it occurs in a variety of contexts, such as editorials, discussions, speeches, argumentative essays, and philosophical texts. Students study the components of good arguments, types of arguments, common fallacies in arguments, and techniques of analyzing, criticizing and constructing arguments.
Prerequisite: CM102 and CM220

SS124 – Psychology
Quarter Credits: 4.0
Students are introduced to the scientific analysis of factors that influence and control human behavior. The key topics of study include theories of development, personality theories, motivation, emotions, psychological disorders and therapy, and interpersonal relations.
Prerequisite: None