ONLINE OVERALL GOALS OF ALL THE ESQUIRE COLLEGE LEGAL PROGRAMS  
In today's ever increasing competitive employment market, having the "legal edge" can make the difference between being passed up for a promotion or attaining that coveted new position. This can also make the difference between getting that coveted job position or losing out to someone else who has the right legal education. The United States, and indeed the world, is increasingly becoming a system of laws giving those who understand, for example, a legal statute, local ordinance or employment regulation, the ability to make a tremendous difference to an employer who stands to loose significantly when making business decisions in a vacuum; that is, without an understanding of the law. With an Esquire College legal education, it is you who will have the edge.

This program provides the student who already has 60 undergraduate college general education units a paralegal education while at the same time earning a Bachelor degree. With Bachelor degree, one's career potential is optimized. Graduates will have a complete understanding of pleadings, legal research, civil, criminal and family law.

The Esquire College graduate with a Bachelor of Arts In Paralegal Studies will be well equipped to enter the legal field and pursue a successful legal career. Esquire College has been in the business of educating Paralegals since 1994.
The Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies Goals are:

1.

 To prepare the student for future success in our Online Juris Doctor and BSL program school for those who choose to pursue such graduate school education after earning his/her Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies; and
2. To provide the student the tools necessary for a successful legal career.
The Paralegal courses are offered on a trimester basis. It is recommended that each student not enroll in more than 18 units per trimester. Enrollment in 12 units or more will be considered full-time enrollment.
Curriculum
Granted upon successful completion of 120 units to include the following:

1.

 Lower division courses from another institution (60 units) including 30 units in general education
2. Core Requirements (33 units)
3. Electives (27 units)
Core Requirements
Introduction to Law and Ethics
3 units
Legal Research and Writing 6 units
Torts 3 units
Contracts 3 units
Property 3 units
Estate Planning 3 units
Family Law 3 units
Bankruptcy 3 units
Civil Procedure 3 unit
Criminal Law and Procedure 3 units
General Education
B.A. Candidates must have completed at least a total of 30 units in general education from an accredited institution in the following categories:
Freshman Composition
at least 3 units
Mathematics at least 3 units
Science at least 3 units
Humanities at least 6 units
Social Science at least 6 units
Transferable Electives
Any academic courses from an accredited institution may be used to meet the additional 30 units required to complete the Bachelor of Arts program.
     
  INTRODUCTION TO LAW AND ETHICS  
  This course provides a general introduction to law, including courts, legal terminology, procedures, systems and laws of society. Emphasis is on ethics and the role of the paralegal in the legal system.  
 
 
  LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING
 
  A fundamental legal research and writing course, this course introduces the student to legal research and writing which will enable the student to use a law library effectively. Research methods are taught to give students an understanding of the use of digests, council forms. students will also be exposed to CD-ROM legal research, the newest development in legal research. Case synthesis and briefing skills are developed.  
     
  TORTS  
  A review of the law concerning intentional torts, negligence, strict liability, products liability, defamation, nuisance, liability and defenses.  
     
  CONTRACTS  
  The law of contract principles including formation, statues, defenses to formation, third parties rights, performance, breach, remedies and damages.  
     
  PROPERTY  
  This course previews the law relating to the various types of real property interests and estates; the nature and scope of easements; the means of transferring title; the rights and obligations of the landlord and tenant, covenants regarding title and law of adverse possession.  
     
  ESTATE PLANNING  
  A study of the California Law concerning wills, trusts and testate succession; Esquire students will learn how to draft trusts, codicils, wills and trust amendments.  
     
  FAMILY LAW  
  A survey of the law of family relations, including the laws of marriage, annulment, dissolution and judicial separation, spousal and child support, legitimacy of children, custody, adoption, the classification of separate and community property estate and the preparation of family law judicial forms.  
     
  BANKRUPTCY LAW  
  This course covers the substantive law of Bankruptcy and its application, including voluntary and involuntary liquidations; discharge of debates; exemptions, creditors claims, bankruptcy courts, officers and trusts, reorganizations and bankruptcy plans and the preparation of forms for use in filing with the bankruptcy courts.  
     
  CIVIL PROCEDURE  
  This course covers pleading and pre-trial motions and the procedures involved in the drafting of complaints, answers, demurrers, various motions and points and authorities. The course reviews pretrial discovery and trial preparation under the California Code of Civil Procedure and California Evidence Code.  
     
  CRIMINAL LAW & PROCEDURE  
  This course is designed to provide the Paralegal with a working knowledge of criminal law. The course provides a survey of all major crimes and defenses, the investigative process and criminal procedure from arrest through trial.  
     
Students are required to have 120 units to graduate from Esquire College with a Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies. This degree program is designed to provide the students with the last two years (60 units) of study. Therefore, the student must have completed one of the following prior to applying to the Esquire College Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies program:

1.

 Hold a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution;
2. Hold an Associate's Degree from an accredited institution; or
3. Completed at least 60 semester units or its equivalent in academic subjects at an accredited institution.
Students who meet the requirements described above may apply for admission and will be judged based on the following:

1.

 Academic transcripts - GPA and level of coursework;
2. A completed application for admission;
3. Letters of Recommendation;
4. Maturity;
5. The extent to which the student has successfully completed all lower division general education requirements and electives; and
6. Any other supplemental documents submitted including, but not limited to, resumes, and personal statements.