Associate in Arts - Paralegal Studies

at De Anza College USA

The A.A. degree in Law Enforcement provides the foundational education required for an individual's career pathway into the criminal justice field with an emphasis on the administration of justice. The courses range from the concepts of criminal law, evidence, investigation and reporting to community relations and criminology.

The program has a proud history: It has been offered at the college since De Anza was established in 1967. Today, our classes cover the latest advancements in methodology and technology.

Our instructors have extensive professional experience as judges, police officers, correction and probation officers as well as attorneys. Our graduates are working for public and private agencies throughout the Bay Area and beyond.

The Film/TV: Production A.A. degree provides a more highly developed introduction to production for students interested in pursuing a career in the film or television industry or a baccalaureate degree in Film, Television, and Electronic Media. Students are exposed to various facets of professional film and/or television production, including producing, screenwriting, directing, cinematography, editing and sound design.

We live in the age of the image, in a world of large and small screens. The Film/TV Department provides students with the critical skills to analyze media and the practical skills to create compelling content for spectators and screens of all sizes.

Integrating theory and practice, the Film/TV program at De Anza includes a comprehensive curriculum in Media Studies, Screenwriting, Film and Television Production, and Animation. We prepare you to transfer to a four-year university or to enter the workforce. 

The Intercultural Studies Department offers an interdisciplinary major leading to certificates, an A.A. degree, or transfer in Intercultural (Ethnic) Studies.  This major represents the joint commitment of the African America, Asian American and Asian, Chicanx/Latinx, Native American, and core Intercultural Studies areas, and provides a diverse curriculum whose educational objectives include the following:

• Develop a methodology emphasizing comparative analyses of the history, politics, social dynamics, and current  challenges and opportunities of historically marginalized communities of color;
• Develop the skills and capabilities to critically analyze information prevalent in the dominant  culture from the perspective of historically marginalized communities of color;
• Examine ethnicity theory, race relations theory, feminist theory, cross-cultural communications theory, peace/conflict/ reconciliation theory, healing and social transformation theory and practices, and explore the intersectional and multidimensional issues of racism, institutions, power as they relate to advocating for equity and social justice.

The major also examines the need for and role of multiracial alliances, economic class analysis, the role of healing in social change work, and provides expertise in areas that will allow students to develop the critical analysis, interpersonal capacities, and leadership and organizing skills to be responsive to the multidimensional needs of historically marginalized communities of color in the short term, and to also contribute to long-term systemic transformation for equity and social justice.

The English major at De Anza College offers students the opportunity to study language, literature, creative writing and composition and to deepen critical thinking, communication skills and aesthetic awareness. The English major also prepares students for further study leading to employment and internships in fields such as education, business, law, editing and writing. The program further prepares students to become effective communicators and broadly literate members of the community.

Language is one important means of expressing ideas, communicating them to others, and articulating them to oneself. Being able to use language in this way is a crucial part of being a citizen of a democratic society and a participant in the modern world.

Our goal in the English Department is to help students develop reading, writing, research and critical thinking skills that they may use in other classes at De Anza – as well as at four-year universities, in their careers and throughout their lives.

Our department mission is to inspire, excite and prepare our automotive technology students to achieve a valuable place in our local and global community.

We serve a diverse student population – including career-oriented students, lifelong learners and those who choose our program to enrich their own knowledge base.

Our focus is on integrity, personal achievement, service to our community and excellence in all we do.

De Anza College's offers a Project Management Practitioner AA Degree, Certificate of Advanced Achievement and Certificate of Achievement which provides "hands-on" experience for individuals who want to take on responsibilities of a project managers.

At De Anza we feel that that a role of a Project Manager is just not to initiate, plan and execute projects but they are at the heart and soul of aligning strategic initiatives with tactical actions to ensure that companies and group can grow as a result of successful project execution.

The Photography Department offers exceptional instruction in beginning, intermediate, and advanced photography.  The department maintains a fully operating wet darkroom and professionally equipped digital labs.  Visual communication and principles of image control and craft are essential components of all the photography classes.  Students develop the technical, critical and practical skills required to succeed in this constantly challenging and changing medium.  The photography department has one of the best-equipped and largest facilities in the Bay Area.  Students are given the opportunity to apply new skills to real and simulated situations found in photographic careers.
 
Photography students produce technically and aesthetically accomplished imagery.  Students have graduated De Anza to enter careers in advertising, editorial work, photo illustration, fashion, architecture, and product photography.  Fine art and documentary photography are integral parts of the program.

The Real Estate program at De Anza is ideal for the individual seeking to enter the real estate profession, and for anyone who wants to learn more about real estate as a prospective homeowner or investor.

The Real Estate department offers courses covering such topics as Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practices, Property Management, Finance, Investment and Legal Aspects.

The De Anza College Paralegal Studies Program was among the first paralegal studies programs to be initially approved by the State of California in 1984. Since then the program has continually provided a quality educational course of study that incorporates basic legal instruction along with practical training that graduates will need to successfully enter the work force. Our graduates are employed in private law offices, public agencies and corporate law offices.

The Paralegal Studies A.A. degree programs prepare students to work in the legal field as paralegals under the supervision of attorneys. Paralegal duties include performing factual and legal research, drafting legal documents and correspondence, interviewing clients and witnesses, assisting attorneys in pretrial work, including document discovery and analysis, and at trials and hearings, organizing and maintaining case files and coordinating the use of technology in legal work.

Students in the Certificate of Achievement-Advanced and A.S. degree are taught the fundamentals of Product Model Making. Students learn the safe set-up of CNC equipment, how to design and construct three-dimensional objects using CAD/CAM software, and how to analyze materials and processes used in prototype model making. Upon completion, students are prepared for employment working in design-stage product development, and prototype and model making environments.

Learn high-demand, high-wage skills, using the latest equipment!

We have experienced instructors and courses developed by industry experts to meet employers' needs in these areas:   

• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) – including Creo, SolidWorks, Siemens NX, Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD
• Machining and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) – including CNC Five-Axis Mill and CNC Lathe Y-Axis Tooling
• Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM)
• Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
• Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM)
• 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing