Paralegal Studies

              Program Coordinator: Mary Sessom, J.D.

    e-mail: mary.sessom@gcccd.edu

    phone: (619) 660-4362

    fax:     (619) 660-4399

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Program Information

Students interested in a rewarding and challenging career allied to the legal profession will find that the Paralegal Program at Cuyamaca College is an excellent place to start.  Through the Paralegal Associate in Science degree program students acquire skills needed for a variety of tasks and responsibilities of a legal assistant in a private law firm, corporation or government agency.

State-Of-The-Art Education

The paralegal curriculum is developed and regularly reviewed with the assistance of an advisory committee comprised of leaders from within the field including judges, attorneys and practicing paralegals. The committee provides expert advice on current needs and trends in paralegal services, and serves to keep the Cuyamaca College program strong.

Career Opportunities

There is demand for trained paralegals in the San Diego legal and business community.   Agencies and law firms seek qualified employees in a number of areas, such as drafting legal documents, interviewing clients or witnesses, performing research, editing, processing trial information and preparing correspondence.  The paralegal degree is also a helpful means of qualifying for job advancement for persons already working in non-professional legal positions as legal technicians.

Cuyamaca College's Paralegal Studies Program is approved by the American Bar Association

Cuyamaca College's Paralegal Studies program was approved by the American Bar Association in 2002.  Currently, there are 254 ABA-approved legal assistant education programs nationwide. Locally, only three other programs are approved by the ABA:  Miramar Community College, University of San Diego, and University of California at San Diego.  Cuyamaca College is located at 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in El Cajon, California, 92019. For Further information about the paralegal program, call (619) 660-4362.

Student from Cuyamaca College's Paralegal Studies Program awarded San Diego East County Economic Development Council Outstanding Student

On May 18, 2007 one of our own Paralegal Studies students, Jeffrey Corcoran, was an honoree at the East County Economic Development Council Foundation's Annual Fundraiser. East County high schools and community colleges were honored for their outstanding achievements in vocational arts disciplines. Winning students received a custom plaque from Taylor Guitars, a one year membership certificate from the East County Family YMCA, a sports bag from AAA Automobile Club of Southern California, plus $400 in cash, all of which was donated by the East County EDC Foundation and its members. The students also received Certificates of Congratulations from federal, state and local elected officials. This is the first time that a student from the Paralegal Studies program received this award. “I was surprised, honored, and excited when I heard I had won this” said Jeffrey. “Even more so being the first ever in this program to win.”