Introduction

The paralegal program is part of the Criminal Justice Training Center at Napa Valley College.  The program is administered by Greg Miraglia, academy director, and supervised by Dawn Harry, paralegal program coordinator.  All paralegal classes meet during evening hours, Monday through Thursday.  Some special classes are offered from time to time on weekends.  This program is ideal for students seeking a prosperous career as a paralegal as well as for those students who are preparing for law school.

A Career With A Future

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for paralegals and legal assistants "are projected to grow faster than average for all occupations through 2010... The majority of job openings for paralegals in the future will be new jobs created by rapid employment growth, but additional job openings will arise as people leave the occupation."

Private law firms will continue to be the largest employers of paralegals, but a growing array of other organizations, such as corporate legal departments, insurance companies, real estate and title insurance firms, and banks will also continue to hire paralegals. Demand for paralegals is expected to grow as an increasing population requires additional legal services, especially in areas such as intellectual property, healthcare, international, elder, sexual harassment, and environmental law. The growth of prepaid legal plans also should contribute to the demand for legal services. Paralegal employment is expected to increase as organizations presently employing paralegals assign them a growing range of tasks, and as paralegals are increasingly employed in small and medium-sized establishments. A growing number of experienced paralegals are expected to establish their own businesses.

Job opportunities for paralegals will expand in the public sector as well. Community legal-service programs, which provide assistance to the poor, aged, minorities, and middle-income families, will employ additional paralegals to minimize expenses and serve the most people. Federal, State, and local government agencies, consumer organizations, and the courts also should continue to hire paralegals in increasing numbers. 

The demand for paralegal services, or legal assistance services, has been rapidly increasing over the last several years.  Law firms, insurance companies, local governments, financial institutions, and other professional organizations are finding the services of a paralegal indispensable in this age of spiraling legal costs and liability.  With the proper education and training, a paralegal is able to perform many tasks under the supervision of an attorney.  Some of these tasks may include:

Preparing Pleadings	Interviewing Clients and Witnesses
Case Management Duties	Draft Discovery Motions
Draft Wills	Draft Bankruptcy Forms
Legal Research	Trial Preparation
Preparation of Correspondence	Drafting of Other Legal Forms

In addition to preparing students for a career as a paralegal, our program is ideal for students who intend to transfer to a four-year institution or law school.  We have a close working relationship with Sonoma State University as well as other local law schools such as St. Mary's College.  Our courses have an excellent reputation and most are eligible for transfer credit.

The program is supported by an active Advisory Committee from the legal community.  The curriculum is challenging and contemporary.  It is the policy of the Criminal Justice Training Center to include professional ethics in every aspect of the Paralegal Studies Program.  It is our firm intention to provide paralegal students with the best possible instruction and training to ensure student success.  

A Certificate in Paralegal Studies is available for students who already have a college degree or who simply desire to focus their studies in preparation for a career as a paralegal.  A letter grade of "C" or better must be achieved in each of the required courses in order to receive credit toward the award of the certificate.   Students must complete all of the required courses specified below and a minimum of four elective courses.   Students earn three units of college credit for each course unless otherwise stated.  Students must attend at least 80% of the scheduled class hours in order to receive credit for the class (no more than three class meetings can be missed in a typical semester).

Associate of Science Degree in the Administration of Justice

Students applying for an Associate of Science Degree must complete the general education requirements of Napa Valley College as well as the core curriculum requirements of the Administration of Justice Degree and Paralegal Studies Program.  The following is a recommended sequence of study.  It is highly recommended that students complete ENGL 120 or its equivalent prior to enrolling in the program.  The following sequence is only a recommendation and some courses may not be available in the order they are listed.

How To Get Started

STEP 1: If you are not currently a student at Napa Valley College, complete an on-line application for admission to Napa Valley College.  Completing an application for admission does not commit you to attending any Paralegal class.  There is no cost or further obligation.  You are NOT required to submit transcripts to the office of admissions and records prior to attending classes.  Students are encouraged to participate in the college orientation process and academic assessment testing process to ensure they are fully prepared for the rigors of the program.  CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO THE COLLEGE.

STEP 2:  Review the semester schedule of classes and select the classes you would like to take.  You can enter the Paralegal Studies Program in either the fall or spring semester.  Tuition for all courses is typically $78.00 each plus the cost of required books.  Financial Aid and Student Loans are available through the Napa Valley College Financial Aid Office.  Books for all classes can be purchased at the college bookstore.

STEP 3:  Register for individual classes online through the college website or during the walk-in registration period just prior to the start of each semester.  CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE COLLEGE WEBSITE.

The following is the tentative schedule of paralegal course offerings.  All courses meet one night each week from 7:00 PM until 10:00 PM at the Napa Valley College main campus.  Note: *Indicates a prerequisite requirement.  Students should consult the College Catalog and supplements for a schedule of general education classes and administration of justice courses.

FALL SEMESTER 2008

SPRING SEMESTER 2009

FALL SEMESTER 2009

SPRING SEMESTER 2008

For Additional Information

Dawn Harry, Paralegal Program Coordinator

Office Hours: Tuesdays 6:30PM to 7:30PM and Thursdays 6:00PM to 9:00PM

Click Here To Send An Email Message or call 707-253-3255

Download A Program Brochure