1. Demonstrate effective legal knowledge and practical skills necessary to perform substantive legal work under the direction of an attorney.
2. Demonstrate appropriate paralegal skill development and professionalism through practical experience.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of ethical responsibilities in the legal profession.
4. Analyze and synthesize clearly complex information, both in writing and verbally, in an organized and logical manner.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the technology necessary to meet employer needs.
6. Articulation of the paralegal role in the delivery of legal services to the public.
7. Maintain equality of opportunity in the educational program without discrimination or segregation on the grounds of race, color, religion, disability, national origin, or sex.

A student who is able to successfully complete the Law and Paralegal Studies Certificate will have done so after demonstrating adequate skills in each of the following competencies:

• knowledge of the various functions and roles of a paralegal;
• knowledge of the ethics and professional responsibility of attorneys and paralegals;
• knowledge of legal terminology;
• knowledge of the various court systems;
• knowledge of evidence and investigations;
• proficiency in manual and computerized legal research;
• proficiency in legal writing and analysis;
• knowledge of technology used in the law office;
• successful completion of an approved internship;
• an appreciation and understanding for the importance of continuing legal education; and
• ability to apply paralegal skills in potential areas of practice, such as but not limited to:
  • alternative dispute resolution,
  • civil and criminal litigation,
  • domestic relations,
  • probate and estate planning,
  • real estate,
  • contracts and commercial transactions, and
  • legal research and writing

Forward all high school and college transcripts directly to the Office of Admissions and Records. A person can take paralegal classes without being in the Law and Paralegal Studies Program. However, a person must be in the Law and Paralegal Studies Program in order to take any of the legal research and writing classes and the internship class. To be accepted into the Law and Paralegal Studies Program, students must have a high school diploma or High School Equivalency (HSE) and must complete the following:

• Successfully complete ENG 101 (for LAW.AAS program only), LAW 101 and BLW 201 with a grade point average of 2.66
• After completing  ENG 101 (for LAW.AAS program only), LAW 101 and BLW 201 with a grade point average of 2.66, submit a law and paralegal studies program application supplied by the program coordinator in LAW 101

Upon completion of the above requirements, schedule a personal interview with the program coordinator.

Students must complete ALL Paralegal (LAW) program and Business Law (BLW) course requirements with a grade of “C” or better.

A maximum of 9 credit hours of legal specialty (LAW) courses may be transferred into the program from an ABA approved program. These courses must be substantially similar to an existing South Suburban College course and the awarding of this credit must be pre-approved by the Law and Paralegal Studies Program coordinator.

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SSC requires that all of the instructors in the program are lawyers or judges to ensure the quality of instruction. Students utilize this program in preparation for law school, or to gain immediate employment in a high demand field.

• Prof. Becky Walters, J.D., Program Coordinator and Professor
  • bwalters@ssc.edu
• Prof. Gregory Mitchell, J.D., Professor
  • gmitchell@ssc.edu
• Prof. Shellye Taylor, J.D., Adjunct Professor
  • SATaylor@ssc.edu
• Prof. Matthew Gubbins, Adjunct Professor
  • mgubbins@ssc.edu
• Prof. Fabio Valentini, Adjunct Professor
  • FValentini@ssc.edu

• Program Application
  IMPORTANT: Only complete AFTER:
  AAS: You must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.66 in ENG 101, LAW 101 (formerly PLA 101) and BLW 201
  Certificate: a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.66 in LAW 101 (formerly PLA 101) and BLW 201
• 2026 Law Day Information
• Law & Paralegal Studies Student Alumni Association Application
• 2025-2026 Law and Paralegal Studies Student Alumni Association Seminar Schedule
• Pathway to Justice Scholarship Available Only for Legal Studies Students