Certificate Program: Paralegal Program

Admission Requirement

• Two year Associate of Arts or Associate of Science OR Associate of General Studies degree OR four year degree from an accredited college or university OR 5 years of law related work experience. This program is approved by the American Bar Association.

Goals for this American Bar Association approved program:

• Train students to become paralegals, in order to permit them to assist attorneys in effectively delivering legal services.
  
  
• Educate students in a way that will permit them to advance the paralegal profession and to maintain high ethical standards.

While paralegals may not practice law, they work under the supervision of attorneys in law firms, corporations, as well as in many government agencies. Tasks performed by paralegals include interviewing, investigation, research, preparation of legal forms, assisting attorneys in court, and other activities.

Questions? Contact the Program Coordinator, Mary Peoples, at 303.797.5878.

If seeking admission based on 5 years of law-related experience, supporting documentation must be submitted to the Department Chair and the student must be formally admitted to the program by letter of acceptance.

To graduate, students must complete an exit interview and apply for graduation. All major, general education and other required courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to meet graduation requirements. Paralegal courses from other institutions may be transferred to the program ONLY if they were taken from an ABA-approved program. Paralegal classes must be taken within six years of a student’s graduation.

The American Bar Association may be reached at 321 N. Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60610, 312.988.5617.

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