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West Valley College is located 50 miles south of San Francisco. |
The student population, which comprises approximately 10,000 enrollees, is afforded flexible course options, including online and distance learning offered by 198 full-time faculty members and 270 associate faculty members. West Valley College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. This is an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.
In West Valley's paralegal studies program, students can opt for either an A.S. degree or a post-degree certificate if they have already earned an A.A./A.S. degree or higher. The paralegal program at West Valley College is approved by the American Bar Association.
The primary goal of West Valley College's paralegal studies program is to prepare students for employment as paralegals and, likewise, advance the accessibility, quality, and relative affordability of legal services in the Silicon Valley region. The outline of West Valley College's paralegal studies program corresponds to the guidelines set by the State of California and contributes to the advancement of legal professionals.
Upon successful completion of the paralegal program, each student will have received:
- an overview of the American legal system.
- an overview of the practice of law.
- skills and knowledge to work in civil litigation.
- an understanding of the ethical rules and regulations applicable to paralegals and other legal professionals.
- a balanced education founded on the integration of general education, legal theory, and practical legal course work.
What Makes Your Program Stand Head and Shoulders above the Rest? 
According to Dr. Fred Prochaska, Dean, Career Education and Workforce Development, "The primary goal of the paralegal studies program is to prepare students for positions as paralegals as a means of improving the accessibility, quality, and affordability of legal services. West Valley's paralegal studies program is responsive to the needs of the State of California and contributes to the advancement of legal professionals."
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Under the leadership of department chair Peggy Mathieson, West Valley College strives "to provide a paralegal program which is responsive to the needs of the State of California and contributes to the advancement of legal professionals' strong written and oral communication skills, and the opportunity to acquire the skills needed to function in areas of practice other than litigation."
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