Portland Community College offers two options in its paralegal program. The first option is a 90-credit-hour associate of applied science degree, for which the primary prerequisite is a college-level writing class. The other option is a 45-credit-hour paralegal certificate, intended for students with a previously earned associate or baccalaureate degree, other satisfactory college credits or an exemption granted by the department chair.
The required paralegal courses include three introduction to law courses--one each in fundamentals, substantive areas and ethics. The fundamentals course covers sources and function of law, court systems and procedure, introductory legal analysis and an overview of civil and administrative law. The substantive course continues the study of several substantive areas of law. The ethics course covers Oregon ethics rules and their application. Required courses also include computer assisted legal research, techniques of interview, legal research and library use and applied legal research and drafting.
Elective paralegal courses include investigation techniques, litigation, estate planning, probate practice, income tax law, real property law, law office management, intellectual property, family law, advanced estate planning, employment law, consumer law, worker's compensation, bankruptcy law, corporate law practice, torts/personal injury, criminal law, cooperative education and legal software.
The Portland Community College projects that its paralegal program graduates should be able to demonstrate professional competency and articulate employers' needs and goals. In addition, they should be able to evaluate and respond appropriately to situations requiring legal, moral and ethical judgments; research, analyze and apply the law to facts and legal issues; and work effectively in an office environment. Further, they should be able to continually develop professional knowledge and skills, manage paralegal projects and tasks and conduct advocacy activities. Finally, they should be able to demonstrate communication, critical thinking, problem solving, cultural awareness, self-reflection and environmental and community responsibility.
Portland Community College states that it designed its paralegal program to provide students with hands-on opportunities to develop analytical skills, knowledge of substantive and procedural law, legal terminology, research and writing skills and client relations skills. It further states that a paralegal, under the supervision of an attorney, performs job duties including client interviews, document preparation and organization of case materials and data prior to litigation, investigation, legal research and file management. Its paralegal program develops a student's strong attention to detail, organizational skills, communication skills and functioning, both individually and as part of a team. Law firms, government agencies, corporations, public service or nonprofit agencies and courts may employ its paralegal program graduates.