Apply for the Paralegal Studies Bachelor of Arts Program
*Find the link to the BA in Paralegal Studies application portal below. Once in the portal, please read the instructions carefully.
**If you are a current or former SAC student, you can go to Step Two.
Step One: Apply to Santa Ana College here:
Step Two: Apply to SAC's Paralegal BA program here:
*This new rolling application process does require that a student have a SAC student ID number to use the new form.
To help you prepare, here are the instructions to apply, once the portal opens:
This is a the multi-criteria admission process. Before you start, you will need to have saved the following documents in PDF format:
An unofficial copy of your college transcript, and
A current resume (no more than 2 pages long), and
A writing sample that demonstrates your legal writing proficiency.
Your transcript must show:
Completion of an Associate Degree in paralegal studies from an ABA-accredited school; or
Completion of an Associate or Bachelor's Degree in another major AND have a certificate of completion for paralegal studies from an ABA-accredited school.
Both of these requirements need to be met prior to starting upper-division paralegal coursework. You may, however, apply while you are completing these requirements.
Candidates are advised to have their degrees reflected on their transcripts or if necessary, provide proof that they meet, or will meet, this requirement by the time the candidate begins this program.
Proof can be provided by narrative or registration information for an intervening semester. Where possible, supporting documentation is encouraged. A list of ABA-accredited schools for paralegal is maintained by the ABA and can be found on the internet.
Your personal writing sample may be any of the following:
A completed memo or legal writing from a legal writing class, of at least three pages (you may refine and improve this memo from what you may have previously submitted); or
An completed memo (redacted) or legal filing, of at least three pages, including headings or using proper conventions, that you drafted during employment in a law or similar office; or
A similar three-page demonstration of your legal writing ability. We suggest you reuse and refine an earlier assignment within your previous legal studies program.
WARNING: The writing sample must be your own work, and cannot be the product of AI (eg. ChatGPT or similar), although editing assistance through a professor, attorney, or supervisor is allowed. You will be expected to demonstrate a similar level of writing ability when you begin the Paralegal Studies BA program and an inability to do so may result in dismissal from the program.
