INFORMATION
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University of Northern California
Lorenzo Patiño School Of Law
1012 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

REGISTRATION
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Law Program

Paralegal Program

LAW PROGRAM

Summer Semester 2007: 5/21/07 - 8/2/07
Fall Semester 2007: 8/20/07 - 12/13/07

$100 fee applies for late registration for continuing students.

Class Schedule

TUITION AND FEES (per semester)

ADDITIONAL FEES

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

To be admitted as a regular student, applicants must have successfully completed a minimum of 60 transferable semester units (or 90 quarter units) at a recognized college or university. Applicants must have a grade point average acceptable for graduation. Ninety percent of the credit presented for admission must be in academic courses.

All applicants are required to take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) either prior to being enrolled or within one year after enrollment in the Juris Doctor program.

Applicants who do not meet the admission standards for regular-student status are required to furnish proof of passage of at least three out of five parts of the College Level Equivalency Program (CLEP). One of the parts must be the English Composition Test. All applicants will be scheduled for personal interviews with one of the Deans or with the Registrar.

Applications will receive consideration when all of the following have been received by the Admissions Office.

• Completed application form

• Certified copies of transcripts from all colleges attended, and/or CLEP scores.

• One page outlining the applicant's career goals

• A $50.00 non-refundable application fee.

Applicants who have been accepted for admission will receive a letter of acceptance from the Registrar.

Application (pdf file, 180KB)

PROGRAM OF STUDY

UNC's curriculum consists of required and elective courses. Required courses include all courses recommended by the Committee of Bar Examiners.

Each class usually meets one night a week from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. First-year students attend four nights a week during the Fall Semester and three nights a week during the Spring Semester. Second-, third-, and fourth- year students attend three nights a week during the Fall and the Spring semesters. All students usually attend two nights a week during the Summer session.

The four-year program is as follows:

First Year

Contracts 6 Units Torts 6 Units Criminal Law 4 Units Legal Writing 4 Units Elective 2 Units

 

Second Year

Civil Procedure 6 Units Evidence 6 Units Real Property 6 Units

 

Third Year

Business Associations 6 Units Constitutional Law 6 Units Wills/Trusts 6 Units Community Property 2 Units Moot Court 2 Units

 

Fourth Year

Remedies 6 Units Administrative Law 3 Units Trial Advocacy 3 Units Criminal Procedure 3 Units Elective 6 Units

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

A total of 84 units is required for graduation. A Juris Doctor is awarded to those students who have satisfactorily fulfulled the following requirements:

• Received credit for the prescribed courses and completed a minimum of 84 units;

• Obtained a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.00;

• Attended a minimum of 80% of all classes;

• Attended classes for a minimum of 270 hours during each 12-month period the students were enrolled at UNC;

• Fulfilled all financial obligations to UNC.
  

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Download handbook (pdf file, 260KB)

PARALEGAL PROGRAM

The University Of Northern California, Lorenzo Patiño School of Law’s Paralegal Program was established to provide affordable, vocational training for those students seeking entry into the legal field as legal assistants, and to meet the demand for qualified, legal personnel who are able to effectively assist within the governmental, corporate, and legal communities.

Our courses of study concentrate on the practical aspects of the legal system and of the law office. The administrative staff and the instructors comprise a supportive unit, which is readily available for counsel or assistance to any student.

Small classes (approximately 15 to 25 students) allow more personal interaction between students and instructors. Classroom instruction is conducted in an atmosphere of actual, hands-on-day-to-day law office procedures. The instructors are attorneys and paralegals working in the field daily.

The UNC curriculum follows the guidelines of the American Bar Association, which recommends the collegiate training of attorney assistants. Our program consists of 12 subjects totaling 300 hours of instruction, the equivalent of 24 semester units.

The Paralegal Program is approved by the California State Department of Education’s Council for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education and is authorized to grant certificates upon completion of the entire program. (Paralegal units are not transferable to the law school program.)

Class Schedule

COST OF THE PROGRAM

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS & PROCEDURES

Applicants to the program must be high school graduates or must have completed its equivalent. While some general education college courses are recommended, no college work is required for admittance. Applicants should be aware that paralegals are often expected to have general clerical skills. Some employers will require at least some typing skills and/or computer skills in addition to the law curriculum.

An application for admission should be submitted to the school Registrar either in person or by mail, accompanied by a check for $25.00 (non-refundable application fee). Also include a brief one page writing sample on your career goals. You must also take an aptitude exam before beginning class. In addition, a copy of your High School Diploma Or G.E.D. passing score must be sent directly to our admissions office.

An integral part of success at UNC is attendance. Regular, punctual attendance is essential and students are expected to remain in class for the entire scheduled class period. Absences and tardiness are recorded. To earn full credit, students are required to attend at least 80% of all scheduled classes for each course.

Application (pdf file, 180KB)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The University of Northern California confers a CERTIFICATE with the title of “Paralegal/Legal Assistant” to those students who have satisfactorily fulfilled the following requirements:

1. Received credit for the prescribed courses and have completed a minimum of 20 units.
2. Obtained a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00
3. Fulfilled the Program’s Attendance Requirements
4. Fulfilled the Financial Obligations to the program.

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Download handbook (pdf file, 260KB)