Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

Paralegal

Program outcomes and goals

The Paralegal program, approved by the American Bar Association, supports student success by delivering quality Paralegal education focused on practical skills in a challenging, inclusive, and supportive environment.

Associate degree (AAS)

  1. Apply analytic, critical thinking, and research skills to fact situations within a legal context.
    • Outcomes: professional competence, critical thinking, and communication
  2. Demonstrate professional skills necessary to a paralegal career, including oral and written communication and technology skills.
    • Outcomes: professional competence, critical thinking, and communication
  3. Adhere to professional and ethical standards appropriate to the legal profession.
    • Outcomes: professional competence, community responsibility, self reflection, and cultural awareness
  4. Use effective personal, interpersonal, time, and project management skills required in the legal profession.
    • Outcomes: professional competence, self reflection, cultural awareness, and communication
  5. Demonstrate breadth of knowledge across several disciplines in humanities, social science, mathematics, and science.

1 year certificate

  1. Apply analytic, critical thinking and research skills to fact situations within a legal context.
    • Outcomes: professional competence, critical thinking, and communication
  2. Demonstrate professional skills necessary to a paralegal career, including oral and written communication and technology skills.
    • Outcomes: professional competence, critical thinking, and communication
  3. Adhere to professional and ethical standards appropriate to the legal profession.
    • Outcomes: professional competence, community responsibility, self reflection, and cultural awareness
  4. Use effective personal, interpersonal, time and project management skills required in the legal profession.
    • Outcomes: professional competence, self reflection, cultural awareness, and communication

Paralegals may not practice law and may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.