Students may enroll in Program classes upon satisfactory admission to the College. 

There is no maximum number of students accepted into the Program annually.  A student may begin the Program in any semester in which the course "Introduction to Paralegal Studies" (LGLA1313) is offered.

Tuition is based upon the student's residence. Students who are Dallas County residents enjoy the lowest tuition rates.

The Dallas County Community College District is committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities regardless of sex, race, color, religion, age, national origin or disability.  The District provides equal opportunities in accord with federal and state laws,  which includes admission policies, extracurricular programs and activities, access to course offerings, counseling and testing, financial aid, employment, health and insurance services, and athletics.  Existing administrative procedures of the College are used to handle student grievances.  If a student believes a condition of the College is unfair or discriminatory, the student can appeal to the administrator in charge of that area.  Appeals to a higher administrative Updated and Maintained byity are considered on the merits of the case.

Applicants to the Paralegal Studies Program must meet college admission requirements as outlined in the El Centro College Catalog. You may download and print a DCCCD College Application for Admission form. (Adobe Acrobat must be installed on your computer to download this form.) Applicants must have graduated from high school or completed the General Education Development (GED) Certificate to be granted college admission and enrollment in the Paralegal Studies Program.

NOTE: Placement into certain college level courses, including English and Algebra, may require assessment testing either at El Centro College or on a proctored basis at a college convenient to the student's location. Students who reside in Texas must comply with TASP (Texas Academic Skills Program) requirements.

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The Program Director and other faculty members of the Program are available to meet with students to evaluate the student's educational background, work experience, grades received in the paralegal courses, and general demeanor.  Based on these factors, the student will be counseled and advised on how to move through the Program, develop successful study and testing strategies, and how to develop job search skills.

In addition to Program staff assistance, several College Counseling Department members work closely with the Program Director in advising students wishing to transfer courses (in and out of the Program), developing degree plans for entering students, and offering assistance, as needed, in other activities involving paralegal students. 

Students may also consult Dr. Bettie Tully, the College Ombudsperson, who can provide guidance and counseling if conflicts occur between teacher/student, student/student, and teacher/administrator.

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An articulation agreement is a contract between educational institutions under which a four-year university agrees to accept certain credits from a two-year community/junior college toward specified degrees.  The Program currently has articulation agreements in place with:

• Dallas Baptist University
• Texas A&M at Commerce (formerly East Texas State University)
• Texas Wesleyan University
• Texas Woman's University
• University of North Texas
• University of Texas at Arlington

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Potential applicants who are Texas residents must meet TASP guidelines. TASP is required by state law to ensure students enrolled in Texas public colleges possess the academic skills needed to perform effectively in college-level coursework. TASP includes a testing component designed to identify and provide information about the reading, writing, and math skills of students.

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