The Paralegal Program is designed to educate and train laypersons to assist attorneys by performing substantive legal work under the supervision of a practicing attorney. It requires all students to successfully complete various legal specialty courses gaining knowledge of our legal system, the basic areas of law, methods of legal research and writing and legal reasoning.

The primary objective of the program is the development of occupational competence. Understanding and reasoning, rather than rote learning are stressed. A strong emphasis is placed on the ethical work role of the paralegal as well as the limitations on the practice of law by non-lawyers. A paralegal may not give legal advice or appear in court to represent a client and is limited by law in providing legal services directly to the public.

Associate in Applied Science Degree Programs

• Paralegal

Accreditation

The Paralegal Program is approved by the American Bar Association.

Career Information

Paralegals are seen as essential members of every type of law firm from a one-lawyer firm to a twenty-lawyer firm. The diverse types of law firms and areas of law in both the public and private sectors provide a wide range of choices for a graduate in this field.