Paralegal Transfer
CurriculumTransfer to CU Denver's College of Liberal Arts & Sciences or College of Public Affairs
Offered in the Classroom, Hybrid or 100% Online
- AAS Associate of Applied Science Degree | 67 Credits
Paralegal
Paralegal
You’ve heard the jokes about the world having too many lawyers. The great thing about lawyers is that they need help from paralegals, an exciting and expanding field that could be the perfect career for you. Although lawyers are responsible for giving legal advice and presenting cases in court, they delegate many tasks to paralegals. One of the most important jobs is helping lawyers prepare for closings, hearings, trials and corporate meetings. Paralegals investigate the facts of cases to be sure that all relevant information is considered. They identify appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles and other materials that are relevant to cases. They analyze and organize the information they find and write reports that attorneys use to decide how cases are handled.
The program at CCD offers you the ability to graduate with an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.), emphasis in Paralegal, and either start working immediately or transfer to a four-year college or university. As a paralegal, you will prepare legal arguments for lawsuits, draft pleadings and motions to be filed with the court, obtain affidavits, and help attorneys during trials. You will help draft contracts, mortgages, and separation agreements and trust instruments. Paralegals also often help prepare tax returns and plan estates. All in all, becoming a paralegal will allow you to advance in a great career field and CCD can help you get started with our A.A.S. degree.
Program Testimonials
My time at CCD laid the foundation for my legal career. I planned to get my degree in paralegal studies and work in Denver. The encouragement and education I received led to scholarships at CU Denver and UMKC Bloch school of law. I have had the privilege to work for the public defender’s office, the department of energy, and consult for cannabis companies across five states and two countries. It all started when I enrolled in the paralegal studies program at CCD. | Alex Epharim 2017
I started my college career at CCD in the fall of 2017 in the Paralegal transfer program. I have seamlessly transferred to UC Denver after completing my requirements at CCD. It was an incredible experience, I will always value the knowledge I received at CCD as well as the connections I made with fellow students and staff of CCD! | Sarah Bennett 2020
Licensed Legal Paraprofessional
LLPs are paralegals or other legal paraprofessionals licensed to provide limited legal services in certain domestic relations matters.
Starting in Fall 2023, CCD will offer the required LLP Ethics course as an online class. This class will be available to anyone who wants to sit for the April 2024 LLP exam. Additional online advanced LLP courses will be offered in Spring 2024.
If you already meet the educational requirement to become an LLP but need a subject-matter introduction or refresher, these advanced LLP courses are for you. They will be offered by CCD starting in 2024.
PARALEGAL PROGRAM
If you don’t meet the minimum educational requirements, CCD’s Paralegal Program has you covered with our Paralegal certificate or Associate degree in Paralegal Studies.
RMPA LLP COMMITTEE & PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES
There are both educational and specific practical experience (hours) requirements needed to be eligible to apply for licensure. The Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association (RMPA) has an LLP Committee that can help you develop an individualized plan for meeting eligibility requirements.
Academic Support
Academic support is provided through CCD’s Excel Zone.
Available Online
CCD Online offers fully online certificates and degrees, and individual online courses to help match your busy schedule. This program offers 100 percent of the paralegal certificate online or through a hybrid program. The degree is offered 55 percent either online or through a hybrid program.
Your first step is to see if online learning is right for you. Online and hybrid environments offer much more flexibility but require more self-direction and self-discipline. Certain work habits, learning styles and skills contribute to a successful online or hybrid learning experience.
Online Experience Questions?
303.352.6785 | TLC@ccd.edu
Financial Aid Eligibility
This program is eligible for federal financial aid.
Your first step is to connect with the Financial Aid office to discover how you can afford college. Our dedicated staff and support services help you wade through all the legal language and get you past the first hurdle to completing your educational goals.
In addition, CCD has $1,000,000 available in scholarships. Apply at CCD.edu/Scholarships.
Don't forget to apply for the CWBA Paralegal Scholarship or the Paralegal Book Scholarship.
Four-Year Transfer Agreements
A Two-Year Degree from CCD Can Lead to a Four-Year Degree from the University of Colorado Denver
The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in paralegal transfer degree is an agreement between CCD and the University of Colorado Denver. Once you complete these degree requirements, you will have completed your lower-division general education requirements and will be eligible to transfer to the University of Colorado Denver as a junior in sociology or political science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or as a criminal justice or public affairs major in the School of Public Affairs. View the course map for required courses.
Internships & Service Learning Opportunities
As part of the degree plan, you will complete an internship, which will provide you with the opportunity to supplement your coursework with practical work experience. You will work under the immediate supervision of experienced personnel at a business location and with the direct guidance of the instructor.
Industry Partners
Consider bringing on a paralegal intern from Community College of Denver! You can build our legal community and help prepare future paralegals for the workforce.
Credit for Prior Learning
The Paralegal program can offer legal secretaries, legal administrative assistants, and law clerks the ability to earn college credit for prior work experience--fast-tracking them to a Paralegal Certificate and AAS Transfer degree. Employers can help retain employees by helping them climb their career ladder with professional development and training.
The Community College of Denver offers Prior Learning Credit that can apply to the following courses:
PAR 115: Introduction to Law
PAR 201: Civil Litigation
PAR 202: Evidence
PAR 205: Criminal Law
PAR 211: Legal Research
PAR 212: Legal Writing
PAR 280: Internship
Find out more about CCD's prior learning options or contact Karey James, Program Chair. Download the program flyer for more information.
Job Outlook & Salary Information
What Can I Do with My Major?
Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 15 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Formally trained paralegals with strong computer and database management skills should have the best job prospects.
Most paralegals work for law firms, corporate legal departments and government offices. They may work in different areas of the law, including litigation, personal injury, civil rights, corporate law, criminal law, employee benefits, intellectual property, labor law, bankruptcy, immigration, family law, and real estate. As law becomes more complex, paralegals respond by becoming more specialized.
Associated job titles include: Legal Secretary I & II, Paralegal, Criminal Investigator, Legal Assistant, Analysis of Licensure & Certification, Program Coordinator, and Case Manager.
In the next few years, the U.S. Department of Labor predicts that many law firms and employers with legal staff will hire more paralegals to keep costs down and the availability of efficient legal services up.
Learn more about this career path by visiting CCD's Career and Transfer Success.
How Much Can I Expect to Earn?
Entry-level salaries for paralegals in Denver are between $30,000 and $40,000 per year. Experienced paralegals and those with an associate or bachelor’s degree earn more — often between $40,000 and $60,000 per year.
The median annual wage for paralegals and legal assistants was $50,410 in May 2017.
The information provided here is by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Program Outcomes
Total of 2019 Graduates |
Total Students Employed in their Field of Study |
Total Students Who Have Transferred to 4-year Degree or Other Institution |
|---|---|---|
24 |
15 |
6 |
Stackable
The paralegal certificate seamlessly transfer to the Associate of Applied Science degree. Complete a certificate and start working while you study and finish your associate degree.