Skip to content
  • Bucks for Students
    Enroll + Register
    • Academics
    • Admissions Information
    • Register for Courses
    • Placement Testing
    • Academic Advising
    • Majors + Certificates
    • College Catalog
    • Bucks Online
    • Honors at Bucks
    • Academic Departments
    • Student Forms

    Apply Now

    Planning + Payment
    • Financial Aid
    • Scholarships
    • Work Study Employment
    • Payment Options
    • Your Account
    • Tuition + Fees
    Transfer + Graduate
    • Transfer Information
    • Planning Your Transfer
    • Transfer by Institution
    • Transfer by Major
    • Graduate
    • Plan a Career
    • Labor Market
    • Digital Badges

    Life at Bucks
    • Student Affairs Office
    • First Year Experience
    • Student Life
    • Athletics
    • Events
    • Fitness + Wellness
    • Art + Entertainment
    • Alumni
    • Bucks+

    Basic Needs

    • Accessibility Resources
    • Campus Services
    • Directory
    • Canvas
    • Bucks Email
    • Change Password
    • Pay Tuition
    • Student Planning
    • MyBucks
     
  • Bucks for Community

    Classes + Activities

    Icon of a pencil and brush
    Personal Enrichment
    • Art + Design
    • Culinary Classes
    • Business Development
    • Gaming
    • Health + Wellness
    • History + Special Interest
    • Foreign Language
    • Kids Korner
    • Music
    • Test Prep
    • Browse All Courses
    Icon of a sun
    Kids on Campus Programs
    • Camps for Ages 5-6
    • Camps for Ages 7-9
    • Camps for Ages 10-12
    • Teen Experiences for Ages 13-17
    • Esports and Gaming Camp
    • Camp Information
    • Camp Scholarships
    • Preschool Summer Program
    • Register for Camp

    Events

    Event Programs
    • Art + Entertainment
    • Book Discussions
    • Concerts
    • Foundation Events
    • Poetry + Prose
    • Movie Monday
    • Trips + Travel 
    • Event Tickets

    Buy Tickets

    Event Venues

    • Artmobile

    • Sculpture Walk

    • Zlock Performing Arts Center

    • The Gallery at Lower Bucks

    • Hicks Art Center Gallery

     
  • Bucks for Career
    Briefcase
    Business + Career
    • Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
    • Customized ESL
    • Educators (ACT 48)
    • Browse by Industry
    • Online Learning
    • Professional Development
    • Registered Behavior Technician
    • Microsoft Office Technology & Customer Service
    • Bookkeeping with Quickbooks Certification
    • More
    Fire extinguisher
    Fire + Public Safety
    • Public Safety Training + Certificate Course Schedule
    • Fire Training Weekends
    • Industrial Safety Training (OSHA)
    • Virtual Public Safety Training
    • Other Training + Resources
    • Training Facilities
    • More
    Heart with line
    Healthcare
    • CPR + First Aid Training
    • Dental Assistant
    • Nurse Aide
    • Nursing Review & Reentry
    • Pharmacy Technician
    • Physical Therapy Aide
    • Practical Nursing
    • More
    Tools crossed
    Industrial + Manufacturing
    • Building & Construction Trades Pre-Apprenticeship
    • Metalwork Pre-Apprenticeship Training
    • Industrial Maintenance Pre-Apprenticeship
    • Locomotive Engineer + Conductor
    • Welding Training
    • Workforce Development
    • More
    Man fixing server
    Information Technology
    • Certification Testing
    • Cyber Security
    • Database Development
    • Desktop Support (CompTIA)
    • Computer-Aided Design
    • Microsoft Office Software
    • Server Administration
    • Full Stack Web Developer
    • More
     
  • Library
  • Calendar + News
  • Diversity
  • Contact
Bucks County Community College

Catalog

  Catalog  —  Majors and Certificate Programs  —  Business + Innovation  —  Paralegal Studies

Paralegal Studies

Associate of Arts

Occupational Major

This major is primarily designed for job preparedness. Students who are considering transferring to a baccalaureate institution should be aware that decisions on transferability of courses are made by the baccalaureate institution and differ from school to school. Students should contact the Transfer Services office early in their academic programs to determine which courses will transfer to the college of their choice.

Department of Business and Innovation
Penn 401 • Phone (215) 968-8227
Curriculum Code No. 2128

This major will qualify students to serve as paralegals for employment by attorneys, law offices, governmental agencies, or other entities in capacities or functions that involve the performance, under the ultimate direction and supervision of attorneys, of specifically delegated substantive legal work. The courses in the major are designed to impart knowledge and expertise of legal concepts, the legal system, and substantive and procedural law that will qualify students to perform work of a legal nature, under supervision, which is customarily but not exclusively, performed by a lawyer. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law. In order to provide graduates with the expertise and flexibility required in the growing field, the major offers a basic knowledge in the paralegal field. Upon successful completion of the program in Paralegal Studies, the student should be able to

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts of substantive and procedural law including the operation of the legal system and the theory of law;
  • Perform the duties of a legal assistant in the public and private sector or in a position relating to the practice of law; and
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical obligations and legal limitations of the legal assistant in the public and private sectors.

The Paralegal Studies program at Bucks is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), the largest professional legal organization in the world. This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Students must take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.

ACBSP Logo

 

 

 

 

 

This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and the American Bar Association.


Explore Career Ideas
Paralegal Studies
Learn about the job market, average salary, and necessary level of training you can expect to encounter in the workforce after completing this program based on data from the PA Department of Labor.

Degree Course Requirements *

Course Credits
CISC100
Digital Literacy
3
COLL101
College Success Seminar
1
COMM110
Effective Speaking 2,4,5
3
COMP110
English Composition A,2,10
3
HIST152
U.S. History: Modern America 1
3
LAWS100
Introduction to Paralegal Studies
3
MGMT130
Business Law
3
LAWS140
Civil Practice/Litigation Procedures
3
LAWS220
Legal Research I
3
LAWS225
Legal Research II 9
3
LAWS240
Negligence and Personal Injury: Paralegal
3
LAWS285
Paralegal Internship
3
MGMT100
Introduction to Business 2,3,4,8
3
MGMT135
Business Communication A,2,4,10
3
POLI111
American National Government 8
3
POLI120
American State and Local Government
3
Arts/Humanities E,1 3
MGMT120
Business Math A,6
3
Science A,F,7 3-4
Paralegal Electives B 9
Total Credit Hours 64-65

Recommended Semester Sequence

The recommended course sequence is designed for full-time students who average 15 credit hours per semester. Students may need more time to complete major requirements based on placement testing. This additional time will entail some adjustments to the sequence recommended.

First Semester

Course Credits
COLL101
College Success Seminar
1
LAWS100
Introduction to Paralegal Studies
3
MGMT100
Introduction to Business 2,3,4,8
3
MGMT120
Business Math A,6
3
MGMT135
Business Communication A,2,4,10
3
POLI111
American National Government 8
3
Total Credit Hours 16

Second Semester

Course Credits
CISC100
Digital Literacy
3
COMP110
English Composition I A,2,10
3
LAWS140
Civil Practice/Litigation Procedures
3
MGMT130
Business Law
3
LAWS220
Legal Research I E
3
Total Credit Hours 15

Third Semester

Course Credits
COMM110
Effective Speaking 2,4,5
3
LAWS225
Legal Research II 9
3
LAWS240
Negligence and Personal Injury: Paralegal
3
POLI120
American State and Local Government
3
Paralegal Electives 8 3
Total Credit Hours 15

Fourth Semester

Course Credits
HIST152
U.S. History: Modern America 1
3
LAWS285
Paralegal Internship 9
3
Science A,F,7 3-4
Paralegal Electives B 6
Arts/Humanities E,1 3
Total Credit Hours 18-19

A Placement testing required.
B Any LAWS course not already required and/or MGMT145 may be chosen. MGMT 130 may not be chosen.
C Consult the list of courses approved for this category.
D Course requires prerequisite.
E Choose from HUMN111, HUMN112, HUMN120.
F Choose from SCIE102, SCIE103.

1 Satisfies Arts/Humanities
2 Satisfies Critical Thinking
3 Satisfies Diversity
4 Satisfies Information Literacy
5 Satisfies Oral Communication
6 Satisfies Quantitative Literacy
7 Satisfies Scientific Literacy
8 Satisfies Social Sciences
9 Satisfies Technological Competence
10 Satisfies Writing

  • Business Administration
  • Accounting & Analytics
  • Baking and Pastry Arts
  • Business
  • Culinary Arts
  • Emergency Management
  • Fire Science
  • Hospitality Management
  • Meeting, Convention and Event Planning
  • Paralegal Studies
  • Technical Entrepreneurship
  • Accountancy
  • Baking and Pastry Arts
  • Business Analytics Certificate
  • Creative Arts and Entrepreneurship
  • Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Emergency Management Certificate
  • Entrepreneurship Certificate
  • Fire Prevention & Investigation
  • Fire Science Certificate
  • Management Certification
  • Paralegal Certificate
  • Social Media and Digital Marketing
  • ACBSP Accreditation Assessment Information

New! Weekend Option

Earn your credential faster with our new Weekend College option!


More



Business + Innovation

215-968-8227 business@bucks.edu 401 Grupp

New! Weekend Option

Earn your credential faster with our new Weekend College option!


More



Business + Innovation

215-968-8227 business@bucks.edu 401 Grupp
circle logo
Newtown | 215-968-8000
275 Swamp Road, Newtown, PA 18940
Bristol | 267-685-4800
1304 Veterans Highway Bristol, PA 19007
Perkasie | 215-258-7700
One Hillendale Rd, Perkasie, PA 18944
Bucks Online | 215-968-8052
Learn from anywhere



  • Follow Us on Instagram
  • Like Us on Facebook
  • Follow Us on Tiktok
  • Watch Us on YouTube

© Bucks County Community College.
All rights reserved.

Find Campus Services

  • Accessibility - TAO
  • Admissions
  • Advising
  • ESL Programs
  • Basic Needs
  • Bookstore (External Website)
  • Career + Job Resources
  • Catalog
  • Counseling
  • Dining
  • Financial Aid
  • Fitness and Wellness
  • IT Help Desk
  • KEYS Program
  • Library
  • Media Lab
  • Success Advocates
  • Perkins
  • Early Learning Center
  • Prior Learning Assessment
  • Security + Safety
  • Testing 
  • Transfer + Planning
  • Tutoring
  • Veteran Resources

Faculty + Staff Resources

  • MyBucks
  • Office 365
  • Canvas
  • Faculty Center
  • Faculty Online Resources
  • Professional Development

Get Involved

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Athletics
  • Bucks+
  • Calendar + News
  • Event Tickets
  • Lectures + Conferences
  • Student Life

Read Notices + Policies

  • Academic Policies
  • Student Policies
  • Human Resources Policies
  • Information Technology
  • Administration
  • Advancement
  • Consumer Information
  • Disclaimers
  • Holiday Statement
  • Notice of Non-Discrimination
  • Clean Air Zone
  • Web Accessibility

Foundation + Alumni

  • Give
  • Alumni
  • Board of Directors
  • Foundation
  • Scholarships
  • Special Events

Explore Campus

  • Bucks Online
  • Newtown Campus
  • Lower Bucks Campus
  • Upper Bucks Campus
  • Parking
  • Facilities Rental
  • Weddings in Tyler Gardens
  • Purchasing
  • Sustainability
  • Emergency Closing Information

Find Jobs

  • Student + Work-Study Employment
  • Faculty + Staff Employment

Discover Bucks

  • Accreditations
  • Board of Trustees
  • Community + Government Relations
  • Diversity, Equity + Inclusion
  • History
  • Mission + Vision
  • Office of the President
  • Provide Feedback

Contact Us

  • Ways to Contact Us
  • Faculty + Staff Directory
  • Social Media
  • Report an Issue
  • Emergency Text Alerts
  • System Status
  • Campus Health & Safety Plan