Paralegal Program Insights from 45 Faculty Interviews

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Christen: Unfortunately, I cannot provide any insight on this.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Christen: It is true that paralegals are getting the respect that they deserve. This is because they are taking on more and more responsibility including; Legal research and presentations; client interviews; drafting legal documents; and general law office administration. This has impacted the approach to educating paralegals. Paralegals need training in many different areas. They need to be prepared to take on any task requested by lawyers.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Christen: I don’t believe so but students are provided, however, enrolled students are given access to Ashworth EDGE. Which is an online toolkit that offers step-by-step guidance for building their resume, drafting cover letters, writing thank you notes, and more. After students earn their degree, they can retain their account so they can update their career documents in Ashworth EDGE anytime.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Christen: There are many things that I love about the paralegal program at Ashworth. One of them is that it provides a well-rounded education for students. The program is a combination of general education core classes and specialized paralegal courses. The second aspect of the program that I love is the convenience. Students study online to obtain job-ready skills in a way that fits into their busy lives.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Kelly: Absolutely. We see a range of students looking to explore the legal profession from recent college graduates to seasoned professionals.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Kelly: The paralegal field is a true profession that has evolved into a necessary, and vital, role within law firms and legal settings. Paralegals are necessary to all legal teams, including in-house corporate legal offices. Because of this, paralegals have a vast array of opportunities to explore. We must educate paralegals in a manner that lends itself to the flexible, ever-changing roles they will execute in the field. The paralegal role can swivel from drafting legal documents to interviewing witnesses, to preparing a slideshow for a trial, all in one week. We must take a dynamic approach to educating paralegals.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Kelly: While a formal internship is not provided as a part of this course, Auburn has reported to me that employers frequently call Auburn to inquire about the # of students in class and the completion date of current classes that are on-going and have recently graduated. The program developer at Auburn, encourages students to seek out local law offices before completing the course to see who may be interested in bringing on an intern or even a candidate for an entry level position upon completion of the program. While there is no formal system of Job placement offered through this course, Auburn faculty involved with the course are always happy to help students with questions about how this course can lead to excellent opportunities in the paralegal field, before, during or after the course has concluded.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Kelly: The paralegal field is a growing and viable profession that creates wonderful opportunities for students. Having the ability to learn a new trade in the legal profession, while working full-time, taking care of a family, or pursuing other education makes this program so exciting.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Alana: Yes. Most of our students are more mature students looking for a second career.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Alana: We are constantly updating our curriculum to include more technology and technical training. Paralegals are going to need these schools to remain competitive in the job market especially with the changing field of e-discovery and artificial intelligence.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Alana: Yes. Our practicum program is optional and the Program Manager and other faculty members assist students in finding internships in addition to the career center.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Alana: Our program is approved by the American Bar Association and highly regarded in the legal community. The faculty and administration is very student oriented and supportive of their career goals as well as addressing any obstacles that may hinder their progression in the program.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Mara: We have a terrific mix of first-time college students, post-baccalaureate students seeking their paralegal certificate, and career changers looking to earn a first or second college degree. The legal opportunities in the Atlanta metro area have been robust and varied, especially in recent years, and we enjoy an excellent relationship with many legal professionals in the area. We are also fortunate to have ABA approval, which draws students from a wide geographic area to our program. Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Mara: The paralegal profession can be extremely rewarding and challenging. We train our students to handle a myriad of exciting, hands-on tasks, while emphasizing that non-attorneys are not permitted to practice law or give legal advice to clients.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Mara: Yes, we believe it’s an invaluable experience for paralegal and legal studies students to participate in a legal internship. Our program has a designated internship coordinator who can assist students in their search for locating placement.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Mara: Our faculty really care about our students and their future success as paralegals in the legal profession. We work closely with students and share opportunities with them for career development.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Rick: Don’t know

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Rick: Not really sure. I have always used an approach that gives students the respect they deserve.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Rick: No, internships are not included, but I am always willing to help students find jobs in my area.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Rick: I believe they get a great online education at Clovis Community College. We care about providing our students with an education that gives them knowledge that they can apply in very practical ways.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Priscilla: The Paralegal field has really grown in the last decade. Firms are seeing the great benefit of processing more cases, by employing a fully capable and knowledgeable paralegal rather than a secretary with limited duties. As such, the paralegal program alone has grown and will continue to grow.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Priscilla: This greatly changes the approach of educating our future paralegals. As professors we want our students to graduate and know how to apply the material. We wish to provide employers with knowledgeable paralegals, whom can easily satisfy administrative function in additions to more focus legal duties. As such, many courses will include hands on type assignments and not just textbook regurgitation.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Priscilla: At this time CCC does not offer an internship, however we do go above our call and provide references, feedback, and recommendations for our excelling students. Additionally, often local firms will see CCC assistance in filling paralegal/legal assistant vacancies.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Priscilla: I would like students to know that at CCC, our legal program will provide them with a basic knowledge to enter the legal field. We will provide a solid foundation, should they wish to later enhance and pursue a graduate degree. A paralegal degree or certificate, can also be used to enrich a business degree or begin a criminal justice degree.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Laura: I am an adjunct professor, so, personally, I do not see a lot of career changes to get started in paralegal studies. That being said, I am aware of a significant shift in individuals going back to school to get started in the legal profession.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Laura: It requires more knowledge in drafting legal documents and, without crossing the line of practicing law, the skillset to be an attorney’s right hand.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Laura: Faculty is always available to help students find internships!

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Laura: I love how personal our paralegal program is. While I teach online courses, I still encourage students to reach out to me with any questions or concerns that they have. As a practicing attorney, I am well aware of what a good paralegal is capable of and I know our program is providing the type of education that results in great paralegals.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Diane: Some students were in a CRJ program and want to switch to PAR, but some are coming from majors such as business and want to change their plan of study. CMC is one of the very few schools in CO to offer a fully online PAR degree so we get our primary roster from students who want to get their PAR Degree.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Diane: A major change is to instill how much a paralegal actually does do in a law firm or corporate legal department. They are often the first contact a client has so a paralegal sets the tone for the relationship. We teach research and writing skills since these are the real life tasks students will do after getting a job in the legal world.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Diane: We help students find internships, and we often receive requests for students to apply to law firms. We typically follow up to make sure our referred student worked out for the firm.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Diane: Our Program has satisfied a long felt need for a fully online degree that is granted by an accredited institution. Our courses are taught by practicing attorneys and judges so the material is up to date, and students work with instructors who teach real-world skills versus just assigning chapters in a book.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Wendy: The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a faster than average expected job growth in the paralegal profession over the next ten years (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm). While we haven’t seen a significant number of career changers in our program to date, it is likely that this projected growth in the profession may spur an increase in the number of individuals looking to pursue a career in the legal profession.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Wendy: Adaptability to changing job environments and responsibilities requires a diverse set of skills in research, writing, critical thinking, and organization – just to name a few. Education programs that include a variety of courses and co-curricular experiences related to legal studies and research, as well as other academic disciplines, can provide a real advantage to job seekers. Our paralegal academic certificate includes courses in legal studies and research, business law, business communications, and ethics. In addition, students can expand their coursework into legal advocacy, constitutional law, criminal justice, and beyond. Our partnership with the Center for Legal Studies provides additional opportunities for paralegal and advanced paralegal courses. The diversity of coursework offered in all of these programs fits well with a changing job environment and the responsibilities required of paralegals.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Wendy: While an internship is not required to complete the paralegal academic certificate, a number of our students choose to combine the certificate with a bachelor’s degree in political science, which requires a one-hour internship experience. Students also have opportunities to work in apprenticeships in law firms and develop their skills on the job. Our faculty members assist students in finding internships and apprenticeships that can provide valuable first-hand experience in the field.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Wendy: At Fort Hays State University, our diverse course offerings, engaged faculty, extra-curricular opportunities, and affordable tuition prepare and guide students for rewarding careers in the legal profession. We offer courses in a variety of academic disciplines that incorporate hands-on educational experiences. This approach allows students to develop the skills necessary to hit the ground running in paralegal careers.

Our faculty are actively engaged in guiding students through their academic programs and subsequent career paths. Their expertise and accessibility combine to create a solid academic and advising foundation for students to thrive.

Our extra-curricular opportunities, like the Pre-Law Society, enhance the student experience. Students learn about the legal profession, participate in community service, connect with other students, and develop leadership skills through involvement in these activities.

FHSU offers all of these advantages at an affordable cost. Together, our low tuition rate and quality program create an exceptional value for students pursuing a career in the legal profession.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Maria: Yes, we are. We also see students pursuing a Criminal Justice or Human Services major who are also interested in completing the paralegal certificate to strengthen their resume.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Maria: Students are really active in class discussions, and bring different perspectives to the table. Most of our students are adults who work and for this reason expect a robust and enriching experience without the need to complete busy work.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Maria: No, our program does not include an internship.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Maria: Our faculty bring a wealth of experience in the field both inside and outside the courtroom. Their reviews are among the top across disciplines.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Gerald: Yes

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Gerald: Time Management Issues. UPL issues.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Gerald: Yes, we have an internship and we do help students find one who cannot.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Gerald: Our class sizes are reasonable. Our quality of instruction is very good. Classes are in the evening so both working and none working can attend. We also offer online courses.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Patricia: Our local educational partners shared with us the increasing trend with career changers going into Paralegal Studies, and the need for them to continue their studies as they work full time as paralegals. Paralegal Studies at Grand View University is a 2+2 program, designed to allow individuals with two-year degrees in Paralegal Studies, to finish their bachelor’s degree online or face-to-face, building upon their first two years of study in paralegal. So, students at Grand View University generally are working in the field as paralegals, and wanting to finish their undergraduate studies, to enhance their career opportunities. The program allows paralegal students to focus on business/human resources or public administration.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Patricia: Increased responsibilities comes with increased opportunities. Paralegals are consistently building their critical thinking, communication, and decision-making skills. Completing the bachelor’s degree blends liberal arts with the paralegal studies, giving individuals the increased skills they need to meet the challenges in the workplace.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Patricia: Grand View University does require an internship with the Paralegal Studies program. Many students transfer this in, having completed it in their first two years of study elsewhere. However, those still needing an internship or those wanting a second internship do have resources in locating and securing an internship. The Career Center as well as faculty can assist with securing an internship.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Patricia: Grand View’s program has option in both the online format as well as face-to-face format. Students can choose the format that best meets their needs, and complete their program by enrolling in eight-week courses. The program also builds upon the associates-level by incorporating the paralegal studies two-year degree completed elsewhere, into the major. It recognizes the skills students already bring to the program and allows them to build upon those skills.

Classes at Grand View are small and taught be full-time faculty or part-time practitioners. With competitive tuition, Grand View offers an flexible program that allows students to progress in a timely fashion, working with their individual situations and needs.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Paul: Yes, I would say that the majority of students in our program are career changers.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Paul: It requires us to stay abreast of all of the changes in the profession. This can be a real challenge. especially when it comes to technology. Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Paul: Yes, and the program coordinator or faculty adviser assigned to the interns will assist the student intern in finding a position.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Paul: Our program has been around since 1972 and we have been ABA approved since 1974. We are one of the true leaders in paralegal education. We are also one of the founding members of the American Association for Paralegal Education and two of our program coordinators have been presidents of that association.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Cheryl: Yes. Our program has a certificate program and I am finding this is appealing to students who already have a degree in some other field and they are wanting to make a career change and are interested in the legal/paralegal field as a career.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Cheryl: As a coordinator for the program, it means to me that we need to have as many different paralegal classes available to students so once they graduate they have an idea of what area of law they might be interested in. Each area of law uses a paralegal differently and paralegal responsibilities in some areas are more than others.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Cheryl: Our program does have credit for an internship available by approval of the coordinator, but the students must find the internship themselves.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Cheryl: I love that HCC offers both an associate’s degree and a certificate program. For those who already have a degree of some type but are not happy with the career they are in, the certificate program allows them to take the core paralegal classes and be done in a very short period of time. Our program is also all online and that makes it so convenient for those working students who can work at their own pace from their own homes.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Jamie: Our program enables us to work with students who have designated Paralegal Technology as their major since high school and those who are seeking a career change. Many of our students have been in the workforce and are seeking higher skill and credential attainment to begin a new career as a paralegal.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Jamie: The program allows students to pursue a career-specific degree and provides training for entry-level employment as a paralegal in law firms, businesses and organizations. Student internships are included in the two-year curriculum and allow students to apply concepts learned in the classroom in a supervised work setting and to gain practical experience before graduating and entering the workforce.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Jamie: ICC’s paralegal program includes student internships, and faculty assist our students with internship placement.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Jamie: Students in ICC’s paralegal program are provided opportunities to participate in internships. Students may participate in internship hours in civil litigation courses as well as complete an internship course during the second year of the program.

All courses in the program are offered online, so students have flexibility while completing the program.

Students take a national certification exam at the end of the program, which provides an opportunity to become certified in the field.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Lisa: Yes, especially in the paralegal certificate program. Most already have BA degrees in the certificate and are re-entering the workforce after raising children, or working in another field. Most in the BA are looking for an undergraduate degree prior to attending law school.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Lisa: We conduct employer interviews each year to ensure our curriculum is keeping up with the required skills and knowledge needed by paralegals in our area. Additionally, we utilize an advisory board of practicing paralegals and attorneys to guide us as needed. We have specifically added a legal technology specialization into the degree, as well great emphasis on legal writing and analysis and document drafting (discovery, pleadings)

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Lisa: Yes, we have a 4 unit internship that includes a classroom component. We have an internship supervisor who finds students appropriate placement. Students do not have to find placement on their own.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Lisa: We are the only ABA approved Bachelor’s Degree in Northern California. We are housed within our College of Law which allows for excellent opportunities of collaboration with our law students, such as working in our two legal clinics. All textbooks in the paralegal program may be “borrowed” and therefore students are not required to purchase any of the texts. All faculty are practicing attorneys who mentor the students, rather than lecture them. Our emphasis on practical application skills is exceptional.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Julie: Students are often are seeking to make changes in their lives and view the legal profession as a great area to develop their new careers. Many Lakewood College students were formerly Service Members and are transitioning to civilian careers.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Julie: Paralegal students must be trained to complete many of the same tasks that attorneys perform on a daily basis. When teaching them, it is important that they are given real world examples and skills to carry out complex legal research. Students must be educated in many areas of the law so they have the base of knowledge to assist in such research projects. It is also key to assist paralegal students with practical skills such as multi-tasking so they are able to deal with the demands placed upon them in their new profession.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Julie: Students in both programs are not currently required to complete an internship but Lakewood College’s Career Services assists students in obtaining internships and job placement.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Julie: Lakewood College’s paralegal program is filled with many knowledgeable and enthusiastic instructors who strive to engage students and aid them in their journey. Lakewood is committed to ensuring that each student has all of the tools necessary to succeed in their education as well as their future careers. Students can expect that they will be given the attention they need to truly understand the material and become successful paralegals.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Tracy: Traditionally, a large majority of students were career changers but I noticing a trend in the other direction. We seem to have more students who are preparing for their first career. Although we still have many career changers, they don’t seem to be the majority at this time.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Tracy: Your program has to be ready and willing to change as the demands on paralegals change. Teaching paralegals today requires that you train them how to perform the functions of the job that the employers require. We are continually surveying the legal community and changing our program accordingly. Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Tracy: We do not have a required internship in our program but it is an elective that a student can choose to take. Faculty are available and do assist with finding suitable internships for students.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Tracy: I love that instructors in our program are all working in the legal field. Our instructors must have experience working with or as a paralegal. This ensures that our students are getting real world experience.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Rebecca: About 60% of our program students are career changers looking to gain a new skill set for entering the legal profession. Because the local job market for paralegals is in high demand right now, students are finding jobs in the legal field prior to graduating. Placement rate for those who do not wish to enter the field early and wait until graduation is at an all time high.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Rebecca: Employer Involvement highlights:

Employers on program advisory board participation in curriculum development. Intern supervisors provide student performance feedback to students. Local firms volunteer to attend various classes to speak about new laws, technology, and give career development advice regarding interviewing skills and resume writing. Many firm recruit exclusively from LCCC’s program and/or give our students first priority before posting jobs in general public.

I enjoy watching paralegal jobs and opportunities for my students continue to skyrocket in our district. as a result of employers hiring students and graduates, seeing how skilled and valuable they are and continuing to want more in their law offices.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Rebecca: Lewis and Clark partners with local businesses and organizations to provide students with valuable internship opportunities. Paralegal students benefit from internships at several organizations, for example JusticeCorps and Gori Julian & Associates, PC.

“We acclimate our new interns into the fast-paced litigation arena by teaching them about the many departments within our firm, and how they fit into the litigation process,” said Gori Julian & Associates Human Resource Manager Caitlin Lagemann. “Interns receive training in our document and data management systems and assist our senior paralegals with their workload while getting hands-on experience.”

L&C Paralegal graduate Carlie R. Stover transitioned from her internship role at Gori Julian & Associates into a full-time job.

‘Working for Gori Julian & Associates has been the best experience of my professional career,” Stover said. “My co-workers have been very supportive and accommodating throughout my internship and current position. Through cross-training and having the Senior paralegals easily accessible, I’ve experienced more at Gori Julian in the first few months than other entry-level paralegals would have at other firms.”

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Rebecca: Multiple locations/formats Updated curriculum (2016) High retention rate of students High success rates Improved time to completion rate 30 and Out option (Post-graduate fast track) Low Faculty/Student ratios Increased networking and placement tracking via LinkedIn group networking and private group Program has expanded into more areas of law (e.g., new family law course) since last program review Higher awareness of program in local law firms Affiliation with St. Louis Paralegal Association (scholarships and mentor program) MBU Bachelors Degree 2+2 University of Illinois, Springfield Bachelors in Legal Studies – accepts 100% of LC’s paralegal courses All PLGL faculty are Blackboard trained

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Natalie: Absolutely! Many individuals are coming into our paralegal and legal practice assistant programs looking to transition into a career that is more meaningful and fulfilling to them. In addition, the legal profession is experiencing significant growth; this means that there is a need for high quality, trained legal support staff.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Natalie: Educating paralegals has evolved over time due to the growth and development of the legal field. In response to this growth, paralegal educators have had to develop course curriculum that moves beyond just working for lawyers. Many federal/state governmental entities and corporations now need to employ legal support staff. Educators now have to emphasize an academic approach to paralegal studies, as well as relative hands-on, technical trainings to fully prepare students for what the legal industry needs and demands.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Natalie: Yes. The paralegal and legal practice assistant programs at Lewis-Clark State College do require students to complete an internship as part of their degree plan. Our faculty are able to assist students in locating an internship site that best fits their interests and goals as a legal professional.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Natalie: Lewis-Clark State College is one of the top public comprehensive four-year colleges in the West, with a beautiful campus, small classes, and superb faculty. It is often described as a public institution with the feel and quality of a private college.

The paralegal and legal practice assistant programs at Lewis-Clark State College are also well-known for their high-ranking bachelor, associate and certificate degree programs that incorporate first-rate, experiential learning opportunities through internships and practicums, as well as a low student to faculty ratio, a small campus community, and individualized instruction and attention.

Many students who have successfully completed the paralegal and legal practice assistant programs at Lewis-Clark State College now work as paralegals, court clerks, title/abstract examiners, legal researchers, contract specialists, claims adjusters, court assistance program specialists and limited practice officers.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Mary: We have a good mix of career changers and degree completion program students who transfer from community colleges, as well as some traditional age college students, the current focus of our administration. Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Mary: While we focus on developing critical thinking and analytical skills by requiring two courses in legal research and writing, we continue adding technology to our courses. Last year we added the National Society for Legal Technology (NSLT) Legal Tech certificate to our Law Office Economics and Technology course and we are revising our E-Discovery course for Fall, 2019. We also require a course specific to doing focused research on the Internet using both paid and unpaid Websites.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Mary: It does require an internship at the end of the Program. As Program Director, I teach the internship course and accompanying legal seminar where we meet monthly to discuss the students’ work experience. I work with students throughout the Program to prepare them for finding an internship and a job once they graduate. Our Paralegal Student Club brings in a speaker panel of practicing paralegals and a legal recruiter to talk about resumes and interviewing skills annually.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Mary: We have an outstanding faculty of attorneys and paralegals who truly enjoy teaching and interacting with students. The Program was founded by a federal Judge who was on our University’s Board of Trustees, so he made sure that our students would be the best in our Metro area. Our curriculum is very strong and local attorneys send their staff and family members to us to become a “Madonna Paralegal.”

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Wendy: No, as we are an undergraduate University and most of the students are completing the minor to have more employment opportunities or to prepare to go to Law School. We offered an evening program for students and are looking to expand that for individuals who already have a college degree but would like to get their paralegal certification, Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Wendy: You need to use more technology in the class room. Also using more challenging assignments and working with the legal community to ensure that the program is teaching the most up to date information for the profession. Using guest speakers is a great way to keep the program updated. The program requires that students complete an internship and this really helps.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Wendy: Students are required to complete an Internship and yes the Director of the Legal Studies program works with students to locate internships.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Wendy: I love that we have small classes and we really get to know our students. The faculty have a passion for teaching the law. It is great to have the legal community willing to work with the students. We are a hands on based program and students learn how the law is applied in all situations.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Gordon: Yes.That was especially the case following the 2008 financial crisis, but that impetus remains strong with our students.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Gordon: We emphasize the professionalism of the career even more. And do our best to stay current on changes in technology. Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Gordon: The answer is yes to both questions. The Internship is the capstone class of our program. It is up to the student to find their internship in the first instance, but we maintain a list of attorneys and firms that are “Friends of the Program” and we encourage our students to consult and network with our faculty and their fellow students who may be already employed.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Gordon: The Internship – it truly gives the students an opportunity to actually work in the field and develop their skills for a semester. Our faculty of working judges, lawyers and paralegals have tremendous experience and are great role models for the profession – and are very approachable to discuss careers in the field. Finally, our students are very excited to increase their skills , and this makes for a great learning environment.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

John: Yes. We offer an affordable certificate program that is accessed by individuals looking for a career change and entry into an office “white collar” environment.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

John: This factor has like resulted in the increased interest in our Paralegal program that I am seeing.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

John: MSUB program does not include an internship or MSUB faculty assistance. The program is delivered by the Center for Legal Studies.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

John: The program offers a participant with a specific skill/knowledge that can lead to employment in the community where they live. The accessibility and affordability of the program also makes it a viable option for underemployed or disadvantage individuals.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Nicole: We have a decent amount of students looking to change careers and head into the legal profession. It is a fairly easy transition for most students. For example, it is a great opportunity for someone in the nursing field to transition into an insurance paralegal. Several fields connect to the legal profession and the paralegal certificate can open many doors in many different facets of employment.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Nicole: We are an ABA Approved Program so we are constantly looking to keep up with the evolving job market. We hire experienced attorneys to teach our legal specialty courses and bring real life experiences and assignments into the classroom.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Nicole: We require an internship in our program. It is a 90 hour field experience over a 15 week semester. There is also an academic classroom component. Our Applied Learning Specialist/Internship Coordinator places all our students. The faculty teaching the course along with the Internship Coordinator stay in contact with the student and the site to ensure the best experience possible.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Nicole: I believe each student is entitled to an individualized course of study that works for them. As the Paralegal Director I am the academic advisor to all of the paralegals in the program and I feel responsible for the experience they have in my program. I am caring and most importantly available to meet with students in-person , on the phone or via email at all times. I take pride in watching my students come into the program, grow and learn throughout their time in the program and then keeping in touch with them as they enter into the legal profession. It is important that students know once they leave the program they still have access to all the resources they need to be successful in the field.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Cathi: Our office career programs here at Moraine Valley Community College have many adults returning to school to change careers or to learn skills they need in order to advance in their jobs. As the program coordinator, I have an opportunity to guide many students on a career path that best suits their interests and personalities. After working in a legal office for 34 years before becoming a full-time faculty member at Moraine Valley, I am always excited to share my passion for the legal profession. Many students begin their education in the administrative assistant area and then take the necessary classes to specialize in becoming a legal office professional.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Cathi: When I began working in a very small law office 39 years ago, there were not many paralegals around; therefore, the administrative assistant essentially took on the responsibilities of a paralegal. That being my experience, I wanted to learn more about the law and why certain documents are prepared a certain way so I went back to school to get my paralegal certificate. Moraine Valley offers a Legal Office Assistant Certificate and an associate in applied science degree with a Legal Office Assistant concentration. I first started teaching the core course, Legal Documents and Terminology, in 1992. I have developed this course over the years to include such things as oral instructions, online document preparation, documents prepared in the format that our local counties require, ethics, work ethic, customer service skills, etc. During every class we talk about a different topic and we prepare Illinois documents that reinforce what we learned. We prepare complaints, appearances, answers, motions, etc., and cover topics such as real estate, estates and trusts, civil litigation, etc. We also learn to scan documents for e-filing and we practice transcription. In the current economy, there are a lot of people competing for the same jobs. If a candidate can demonstrate they have legal office assistant and/or paralegal skills, in addition to strong administrative professional skills and great work ethic, they will get the job, and better yet, keep the job.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Cathi: Our associate degree requires an internship. While the Legal Office Assistant Certificate does not require an internship, I am very passionate about internships, and as the internship coordinator, I stress the importance of one. I work very closely with our Job Resource Center, which helps students in their search for jobs, as well as internships. When our students take on an internship, it is a partnership between the student, the internship coordinator, the Job Resource Center, and the internship supervisor. As the internship coordinator, I’m in constant contact with the student intern and with the student’s supervisor. I’m available to my student interns seven days a week. Students must submit a bi-weekly report to me listing the hours worked and their job responsibilities. They also must tell me what they learned and if they encountered any problems. If there were any problems or issues, I meet with the student to discuss the situation and will meet with their supervisors who appreciate my understanding of legalese. This relationship is a great benefit to all. The significant advantage of attending Moraine Valley is that there is usually a small group going through the program at one time. I can work very closely with each student and understand what their duties are and how best to help if there is an issue.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Cathi: I think what I love most about the program is that it is always evolving, the classes are small, and the instructors take a personal interest in their students. We want our students to succeed. We are constantly monitoring the job market to make sure we are teaching our students the skills they need. We understand that today’s legal office professional and paralegal must have a strong administrative assistant foundation in addition to knowing legal document preparation and terminology. We maintain ongoing contact with the law offices in the area to make sure that our students are learning the skills they need to be successful and are keeping up with the changing software requirements. In addition, I bring 34 years of experience in the law office to our students. Our students prepare common legal documents, both in local county format and according to Illinois law. I think that is a major advantage to our students because many end up doing their internship and getting employment in Cook County, which is Moraine Valley’s county. Students go right into the work field with a working knowledge of what is required in this county. We also work on the Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court website so that students are familiar with going online and preparing documents online. Also, I feel that Moraine Valley’s program is unique in that it recognizes employers are looking for more than legal understanding, they are looking for someone who can do it all. Students learn that technical skills will get you the job, but personal skills will keep you in the job. A legal office worker must have technical skills, proofreading skills, an ethical attitude, great work ethic, attention to detail, customer service skills, etc. Our instructors in the office program are all dedicated to making sure our students are successful and learn these skills so they can enter the job market, and more importantly, be a valuable asset to any employer.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Bryan: Yes, I would say approximately 25-30% fit that description. Many of them always dreamed of working in a law firm or going to law school. Then “life” happened and, for whatever reason, they weren’t able to pursue that dream at the time.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Bryan: Our program focuses on training paralegals to do solid legal research and writing, offering free access to the two main legal search engines, Lexis and Westlaw, and several classes on the subject. That way, the paralegal can serve as an even more integral part of a team beyond calendaring, summarizing documents, filing, etc. We also believe in giving students current practical training, along with a solid foundation in the major areas of the law. I believe that practical training, along with education in developing areas of legal practice, such as e-discovery, are essential to educating paralegals today.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Bryan: Though not required, our program offers an internship option and faculty are available to help students find one.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Bryan: I and our faculty love what we do. Though we offer a paralegal associate degree and certificates, we are one of only a handful of programs in the entire state of California to offer an ABA-approved bachelor’s degree. That means we can offer students more training, education and experience, and really get to know them in a smaller class size. The program also is a terrific preparation for law school as we cover nearly all of the typical first-year subjects. I only wish I had this background before I went to law school!

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Amie: We have students in every stage of their lives. We have students that have chosen the legal profession as their first career choice. We also have students that have been in the work force but have chosen to pursue the legal profession as a new career path.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Amie: The legal profession is highly rewarding and challenging. Paralegals are assisting clients that are often in a very vulnerable stage of their lives. The education needs reflect and prepare students for this. A paralegal education needs to be as practical as possible. The education must allow paralegals to enter their positions as an immediate effective team member.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Amie: The North Idaho College Paralegal Program requires a semester long internship. Our paralegal program coordinator assists students in finding a valuable internship site.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Amie: The North Idaho College Paralegal program is implemented and instructed by attorneys that practice in various legal areas. We are constantly improving our program to meet the needs of our legal community. Our faculty are dedicated to student success, this is shown in the passion that we have in providing a quality education to our students.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Jessica: Our program does have several students who wish to change careers or are interested in joining the legal profession. This major is also good for those incoming freshman who know they want to become lawyers, but want to study a career that will help them be financially independent prior to beginning law school.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Jessica: Students continue to receive an education where they are aware of the responsibility of working with an attorney on important legal matters affecting individuals and society. Students are taught how to manage law firms while ensuring attorneys are prepared for their cases.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Jessica: The curriculum does include an elective internship. Both faculty and university administration are available with internship placement.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Jessica: The program is housed in the Shepard Broad College of Law. As one of the few undergraduate programs housed in a law school, paralegal students receive all the academic and research benefits that law students receive.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Vicki: Yes, most years a majority of our students are considered “non-traditional”, in that they are not coming to us directly from high school. Of those folks, many have had careers in the military, criminal justice, and service industries. The urban area at the center of our region is growing rapidly; consequently there are many openings for legally trained workers in law firms, the courts, education and health institutions and private industry. The word has gotten out.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Vicki: We have promoted the professionalism of paralegals since our beginning in the 1970s, so our approach has not changed. A subtle change, perhaps, that we are seeing in the workplace, is the level of sophistication employers expect from our graduates regarding technology. Attorneys have always understood that their staff would be adept at things they themselves do not understand, but in the past, this meant short-hand and the copy machine. Today, attorneys are relying on their paralegals to be able to, for example, hire and interact with specialists in the fields of e-discovery and data security. Most states now have ethics rules requiring attorneys to be knowledgeable of technology issues–they are complying by hiring the right paralegals. We must train to that standard.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Vicki: Our program has a two-hour elective that can be completed by doing a 20 hour per week internship. We encourage completion of an internship and assist students in finding them. Because internships in our area are not typically paid, we provide alternatives in the curriculum. Some students cannot give up paying jobs or afford child care to be able to do an unpaid internship.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Vicki: We love the small size of our program the most. Someone once referred to us as a “one-room school”! We have two full-time instructors who also serve as academic and career advisors to all our students. Our face-to-face classes meet in the paralegal lab which has desktop computers at every seat. We have a bulletin board and large white-board calendar in the lab and our campus events, course deadlines, paralegal association activities, job-searching and advising are all coordinated from that space. While students do not proceed through the program in exactly the same sequence because students may start any semester with their program of study, most students will be in multiple classes with the same classmates and instructors every semester. The students and instructors behave as a law firm. “Paralegals” and “supervising attorneys” work as a team to produce authentic workplace products so that all students get real legal experience–they will use case management systems, westlaw and fastcase subscriptions, and specialized legal subject matter software. It is effective and it is fun!

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Peter: Although every class makeup is different, there is always an array of “career changers” along with “career beginners.” The “changers” usually have prior workforce experience, but are looking to obtain the knowledge they will need to take on a new career phase in their life. While the “beginners” usually do not have much workforce experience, but are looking to obtain the knowledge they will need to take on a new first career phase in their life. Although different, both are drawn towards and have the desire to learn the law, and both are welcome at Post. To be more specific, about 7 out of 10 students in our classes are career changes. Included in that number are those retiring from military careers.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Peter: I make sure that everyone in the Legal Studies program learns all the necessary skills across the curriculum and is immediately useful to the employer upon graduation. The change in approach has come with our early adoption of technology. Post is a founder of online learning and all our paralegal courses are offered in either “hybrid” or completely online formats. As a result we have been able to introduce teaching/learning techniques and practices using various up-to-date e-resources not otherwise available.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Peter: Two Internships of 3 credits each are available but neither is required. As Program Chair I help students find internships. The placements include everything from traditional law firms, community law clinics, and the court system, to some very 21st century initiatives; for example: we pioneered a “virtual internship” where the student was employed “remotely” by a west coast Law Firm to research the recently enacted European Union Digital Privacy Regulation.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Peter: “Love” is most certainly the correct word… we are a solid, close-knit, mutually supportive group with strong links to the legal profession that includes innovative, worthwhile internships and a history of successful job placements. Everyone helps everyone in the program: each of our paralegal students is assigned their own staff “Academic Success Coach” and all students are assured of a quick response and resolution of any concerns –everyone: staff, instructors, and administration, are all immediately available to support and assist.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Emily: Being an online platform that offers flexible start dates, Rio Salado College draws a diverse student body at various stages of their lives. We certainly have students who have worked in other industries and are looking for a different career path. We have students who are fresh out of high school looking to earn their paralegal certificate or degree, we have students who have completed a four-year degree and have enrolled to earn their paralegal certificate. We have students who have been working in the legal industry for quite some time and are now ready for professional advancement. And then there are paralegals who are looking for professional development courses. Our industry-specific curriculum accommodates a variety of students– regardless of their legal background or experience. The Paralegal Program is now available to students nationally, which will certainly continue to diversify our student population.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Emily: Rio Salado’s curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for certification exams. With curriculum focusing on legal writing, legal research, substantive law, legal ethics, time management, and litigation, our students graduate prepared and well-versed to take on legal tasks in most legal settings. We know the importance paralegals play within any legal setting. Lawyers want to feel confident in delegating important tasks to their paralegals. At Rio Salado, we strive to ensure that students understand the importance of deadlines, time management, problem solving and analytical legal writing and thinking. We are continually updating our courses and adding new curriculum to accommodate the ever-changing legal environment. For example, Rio Salado just added a new EDiscovery course as well as a two-part Legal Project Management course. With cutting edge courses such as these, paralegals add great value to their firm being able to speak to new technologies, laws and systems.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Emily: We have an extensive internship program with an internship director to help prepare and place students into internships. Students work with the director on preparing their resume, cover letter, writing sample and interview skills. We offer a number of different internship options to accommodate different student schedules; including virtual internships. Students can complete an internship for 80 or 160 hours. We encourage all students to apply for the internship program because completing an internship truly enhances their resume and provides invaluable hands-on experience that bridges the gap between their studies and professional career.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Emily: One of the things I love most about Rio Salado’s program are the adjunct faculty members. Our adjuncts are seasoned professionals with years of legal experience who truly care about each student’s success. I am continually impressed with the personalized approach each adjunct takes with students. In regards to curriculum, Rio Salado provides a comprehensive foundation for students. Each student has access to WestlawNext and completes extensive training, which gives them an advantage when they start practicing. I also love that students can start their course on most Mondays, complete their education virtually and truly focus on the material that is relevant to them. There is no large lecture hall but, instead, personalized learning for each student.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Glenna: Yes, several folks opt for the post-baccalaureate certificate–they already have a Bachelor’s degree in some other field, but want to add on the certificate to better prepare them for the workplace.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Glenna: Paralegal education continues to be a growing field. We offer many electives in addition to the “basics”–one thing that has worked well with our Paralegal Studies program here at SMWC is the creation of an advisory board, made up largely of practitioners in the various fields, who meet regularly to give us feedback regarding new trends in the field, skills needed, etc. Technology drives a lot of the changes.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Glenna: Students in the SMWC Paralegal Studies Program are required to do a semester long practicum, for academic credit, usually in the semester before graduation. Members of the advisory board assist us with finding local internship placements, etc.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Glenna: The Paralegal Studies program at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College aims to set the standard of excellence in liberal arts-based, career-oriented education that is both academically and technologically progressive within a personal, supportive environment. To achieve its educational mission, the Paralegal Studies program provides for the study and exchange of ideas and for the acquisition of career skills so that students think and communicate with greater awareness of themselves and others, gain valuable tools for employment, and develop resources for future opportunities.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Michael: Most definitely. While this is not necessarily true for all of our students, I would say it is true for the majority of our students that enroll in our paralegal studies program. With this is mind, our program is structured to accommodate students who work full-time day jobs or weekend nights. All of our classes are Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00 – 8:50 pm and Saturday mornings from 9 – 11:50 am. It is a cohort program with compressed sequences courses. I know of no other ABA approved paralegal program like ours in the country.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Michael: I would agree that the paralegal profession is finally getting the respect it deserves. Paralegals work very hard. The profession requires excellent soft skills along with high proficiency in the hard skills like technology. However, paralegals need to remain cognizant of the line between practicing law which is for the attorneys, and the support they provide the attorneys. With that in mind, throughout our program we continually emphasize the important role of paralegals, the ethical boundaries they must abide by, and the lines they should never cross.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Michael: Our program does have an internship component. Both our faculty and advisory committee help our students find internships. However, the burden of finding an internship is ultimately on our students. I assist them with a list of potential firms and agencies that have utilized our internship program in the past or are currently looking for a paralegal intern, but I do not place students. We view the process of finding an internship very much like finding employment in the field. One reason being that many of our students are offered employment by the very firms and agencies that they intern with.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Michael: There is a lot to love about our paralegal studies program. The program is limited to a small number of students each year. We are a relatively small community with limited paralegal employment opportunities so we do not want to flood the market with too many graduates. We want our graduates to find employment as paralegals and many if not most eventually do. It is important that we are ABA approved. That gives us credibility in the legal community. The cohort nature of the program means that each class of students starts and finishes with the same group of individuals. They often become friends and great supporters of each other. That is very gratifying to be a part of as the Program Director. However, the thing I love the most is when an employer of one of our graduates comes to me to let me know how thrilled they are to have hired that individual and how happy the graduate is to get that job. It just confirms what our role as a community college is all about.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Deborah: Yes. Many students already have been in a career field for many years such as health care or education and are ready to apply their knowledge to a legal field.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Deborah: We have always believed that it is important to teach our students not just what to do but why they are doing something. Our students for example have to take intensive critical thinking, legal research and writing courses. The final project in the Legal Research and Writing course is writing an appellate brief. This tests students ability not just for technical writing but persuasive writing and their ability to synthesized case law and statutes to make a cogent argument on behalf of a client.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Deborah: We require an internship. We help place students. During the internship students take an online class where we discuss ethics and other issues that might arise in a job setting.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Deborah: Our paralegal program is over 36 years old. We have three full time faculty that teach in the program with each of us coming from a different practice area. We believe that education is not just about making a living but also about living and being of service to others.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Robyn: Yes, we are. Our Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program of study is especially popular among those who are seeking to re-tool..

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Robyn: We – and our graduates – are thrilled with the increasing numbers of professional opportunities that are available to paralegals. Our curriculum is focusing to an even greater extent upon providing our students with the knowledge of substantive law, technology skills, and, of course, the confidence that they need to succeed in law offices today.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Robyn: Yes, each student in our program completes a 100-hour internship in a law office. Due to the long and successful history of our ABA-approved program, we have an excellent pool of participating law firms to which we can assign student interns. The internship course also includes a classroom component, with instruction focused upon professionalism and job search skills. We have many students who find paralegal employment even before they graduate, and they have the option of waiving the internship class and replacing it with an elective.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Robyn: The best components of Tulane’s General Legal Studies Program are our wonderful students and our faculty.

Students in our program come from all walks of life. Most are working adults, who are balancing the demands of job, family, and school. I love the way our students support and encourage one and another from the introductory classes through commencement.

Our adjunct faculty is composed of practicing attorneys and paralegals, each an expert in his or her field of instruction. Whether they are teaching online or “live,” each brings not only legal knowledge and expertise but also an understanding of the day-to-day realities of the legal profession.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Regina: Yes, we consistently have a number of students who come primarily to our Certificate program with a desire to change professions.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Regina: As attorneys understand what paralegals are able to do, paralegals will continue to take on more responsibilities in the workplace. Paralegals have become more than the “girls” in the office. Attorneys are recognizing the skill sets that an educated paralegal brings to the office. As such, we continue to provide paralegals with not only the practical skill sets that are needed, but also the legal (theory)background needed to understand the larger picture of what the attorney is doing. Paralegal education now must strive to raise the level of knowledge that is being imparted to students so they can better partner with attorneys to serve the client ore efficiently.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Regina: Yes, our program includes and internship. The internship is required for bachelor students, and is strongly recommended for associate and certificate students. One of our faculty is in charge of the internship program and assists students in securing an internship site, among other things.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Regina: First, I love the support we receive from the University. Even though we are a small program, we have support from the larger University. Second, we provide students with a number of opportunities outside the classroom to develop and grow as professionals. Third, the passion and genuine desire that our faculty have. Our faculty is comprised of practicing attorneys who teach what they do. They have a strong commitment to educate our students to be the best they can be. Fourth, our students and alums are supportive. Students develop strong bonds with their cohort which continues long after commencement. Alums reach back and mentor students and new graduates. Finally, our Advisory Board provides support and insight that helps to make our program better at every turn.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Zachariah: Yes. Probably 50–60% of our students are already gainfully employed and looking for a career change. Most of these are in the hospitality industry working as a bartender or server at a restaurant. There are quite a few others working in a hotel or casino in some capacity.

The rest of our students are either fairly young and looking to enter the paralegal field straight out of high school or college, or are looking to further their skills in their chosen career by learning more about the law.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Zachariah: We found the curriculum we were using was outdated and not serving the modern paralegal like it should. We had to completely revamp and modernize the curriculum to put more focus on the practical skills a paralegal needs to thrive in a legal environment.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Zachariah: There is no internship requirement for graduation, but we do work with an ever-expanding circle of legal professionals to provide internship opportunities to students interested in kick-starting their career. Approximately 15–25% of our students take advantage of internship opportunities every semester.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Zachariah: Our students are each assigned a plaintiff and a defendant in a civil suit. They prepare a demand letter, complaint, written discovery, and a motion for summary judgment for their plaintiff client, and then they respond to another student for their defendant client. During the course, they learn the substantive law for the most common practice areas (torts, contracts, criminal law and procedure, civil procedure, wills and trusts, and family law), legal writing techniques (including legal typography), and then they get actual (fake) evidence in their cases (videos, medical records, incident reports, etc.).

At the same time, they are learning law firm management skills, customer service in a legal setting, and ways a paralegal can help market the firm they are working for. The class culminates in a round of speed-interviewing with real potential employers in the Las Vegas Valley.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Victor: Most of our students are undergraduate students pursuing a major course of study in legal studies with a concentration in paralegal studies or another concentration but also pursuing a paralegal certificate. There are a significant number of students who are pursuing the paralegal certificate after they have completed their college degrees in an effort to find better jobs or change their career.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Victor: This trend is fantastic and fits very well with our approach to educating paralegals because we have always firmly believed in the importance of providing our paralegal studies students with strong analytical and writing skills that would allow them to take on many responsibilities within the legal profession. Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Victor: We strongly believe in the importance of the internship experience for our paralegal studies students. For this reason, we offer a pre-internship course and a full year internship course that requires at least 300 hours of work. The pre-internship course helps students prepare for the process of seeking and obtaining a job. They will draft and update their resumes and prepare for interviews. The students actively participate in the process of selecting their internship opportunity so that they may pursue their interests. We have been fortunate to have the support of the legal community in this area so that we can offer very challenging and enjoyable working opportunities for the students.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Victor: The paralegal program offers a unique experience to our students because, in addition, to offering them a solid academic program focused on the development of research, writing and analytical skills for the legal professions, the program has very committed faculty to the students development and preparation. Program Faculty are assigned to students as first years and we take pride in accompanying the students on this journey every step of the way with the purpose of assisting them in pursuing their goals. Our faculty is readily available to answer questions and support our students as they build course schedules around their particular personal circumstances that also meet University requirements. In addition to the academic program, students have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities like Mock Trial and the Legal Society. Both of these activities provide the environment that allows for the development of a solid network, as well as developing skills in advocacy, public speaking, legal writing, and legal analysis.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Amy: Yes. UNM Continuing Education offers the Paralegal course twice a year, and the enrollment remains its consistency. Due to the limited classroom space, we have an average of 10 students every term.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Amy: There are three major focuses: 1. The differences between a paralegal and legal assistant. 2. Paralegal theories, skills, responsibilities. 3. Software use. Hands-on experiences are very important for students to be more familiar with the software use.

More and more responsibility means higher knowledge of the law. Unlike before where paralegals were merely assistants that worked more closely on a case than a receptionist, modern-day paralegals have to know nearly everything an attorney knows on a case to do their job successfully. To this end, it is no surprise that the list of ABA-approved paralegal programs is starting to shy away from short-term paralegal “certificate” courses that do not allow for a build-up of basic legal knowledge. In fact, we are seeing a rise in requirement for a Bachelor’s Degree instead of just the previously accepted Associate’s Degree. Employers look to potential paralegal candidates to have the proper education requirements to ensure that their legal knowledge is savvy.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Amy: Yes. UNM Continuing Education offers an internship. Every paralegal student has a chance to take this opportunity to apply what they learn.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Amy: UNM Continuing Education offers paralegal program with a hybrid format. Students spend half time in the classroom and half time online. The program lasts around 8 weeks. Students found the hybrid format helps their busy work life schedule.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Tiffany: Yes! Generally, 50% to 75% of the enrollees in our program have engaged in work outside of the legal profession. We also have enrollees that work in the legal profession, but hope to advance their legal careers by completing the Paralegal Certificate Program. Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Tiffany: In response to the trend of paralegals taking on more and more responsibilities, we have engaged professionals in the legal field, both attorneys and paralegals, to serve as members of an advisory board for the program. Specifically, the board addresses the growing and changing responsibilities of paralegals, and how best to confer that to the students.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Tiffany: Enrollment in the Paralegal Certificate Program includes a one-year student membership with the paralegal professional organization, CAPA. Through CAPA, students have access to a mentorship program as well as a job-posting board.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Tiffany: We are excited about the ever-evolving paralegal profession and educating students to be the most productive paralegals possible. We do this by employing current legal professionals in the community to serve as instructors for the program. These individuals use their past experiences as well as specialized knowledge of law to bestow an education upon our students like none other. Further, once a student graduates from the program, they have access to job postings through our social media page.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Janet: I have many students who are returning to the work force or seeking a career change. Some of my students are currently working in law offices, but going to school to get their certificate. Others are taking this program as a stepping stone to law school.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Janet: There is a big push for legal services to become more affordable to the general public. As a result, paralegals are given more tasks under the direction of attorneys. Because of this, it’s not possible to teach a paralegal student everything that they might need to do for the job, but I do try and teach them how to seek out that information when asked to do a task they might have not have done before. Our program focuses on creating self-directed learners. In addition, paralegals are often the first point of contact with clients. Hence, I spend extra time working with students on client interviewing and then transcribing those interviews for the attorneys.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Janet: Our program is in the process of adding an internship program. Most of our adjunct faculty currently works in the legal field and hence, can provide opportunities for student internships.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Janet: As I noted above, classes are conducted by working attorneys who are able to share their practical experience with students. Class size is small, which allows faculty to connect and mentor students. Students themselves are great and work hard not to just succeed individually, but to also help their classmates succeed. Our location near the Capitol is also ideal for a variety of internships.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Eric: Most of the students who pursue our legal studies certificate are traditional aged students also seeking an undergraduate degree. We do have some non-traditional students who are returning to school intending to hold employment in the legal profession.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Eric: Our legal studies certificate is aimed primarily at students who plan on applying to law school. The certificate requires students to complete a course in American politics, a course on judicial politics, and two constitutional law courses. Students must then select two elective courses on topics related to the law and legal systems. The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has a paralegal preparation program that is run through the Continuing Education Office.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Eric: One of the elective courses for the legal studies certificate is our department’s internship class. It is not a requirement of the certificate. Faculty are available to assist students with finding an internship. The department has ongoing internships with several local law firms, attorney offices, and judges.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Eric: Our certificate is aimed primarily at preparation for law school, although it is certainly open to students who plan on becoming paralegals as well. The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has a paralegal preparation program that is run through the Continuing Education Office.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Eileen: We are absolutely finding a lot of career changers looking to get their start in the legal profession.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Eileen: Paralegals are taking on more and more responsibilities, in response Delaware Law School’s Legal Studies Program is teaching time management skills as well as it’s ABA programs continue to offer practical skills training within its courses to adequately prepare paralegals for the job market.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Eileen: The Legal Studies Program offers students the ability to enroll in an internship course to further develop their practical skills and build their resume while still in school. Students work with their advisor to coordinate the selection of their internship in a variety of legal fields in Pennsylvania. Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Eileen: Widener University Delaware Law School’s ABA approved Paralegal program offer students the choice of a Bachelors or Associates degree in Legal Studies or a Paralegal Certificate. Students in the Bachelors and Associates degree programs can graduate with two- degrees in one as they gain both the Associates and Bachelors as well as the ABA paralegal Certificate when they graduate. Students can also complete the paralegal certificate on only one -summer and jump-start their career by fall. Our dedicated faculty and administrators have a true open door policy dedicated to each student success.

Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?

Michael: Yes.

Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?

Michael: Critical thinking remains the key skill, but the real value-add these days is computer/tech skills.

Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?

Michael: Yes, we have an expansive program and usually find the internships for our students.

What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?

Michael: Almost all of our Paralegal students are already working, so we offer the ability to acquire both a degree and a one year certificate online.

Based on our interviews, instructors consistently emphasized these traits: the ability to apply knowledge in practice, willingness to do hands-on work beyond textbook learning, time management skills, understanding of professional boundaries (UPL issues), and genuine engagement with the material. The faculty we spoke with value students who want to truly master the skills needed for legal work, not just earn a credential.

The answers themselves are not. We do not rewrite what someone told us, so every response reads exactly as it was given around 2018. The bios are a different matter. Titles, employers, credentials, and program details get re-verified and corrected, most recently in August 2026. If a professor has since moved, retired, or become emerita faculty, you will see their current role alongside the affiliation they held at the time of the interview.

Timeline varies by program type. Intensive hybrid programs can run as short as 8 weeks for post-degree students. Certificate programs typically take 9-18 months. Associate degree programs take about 2 years. Programs with required internships help ensure you gain practical experience before graduation, and several faculty noted students who find work before they finish.

Not legally required in most jurisdictions, but it provides significant advantages including established employer relationships for internships and quality assurance through regular reviews. Some national certifications may prefer graduates of ABA-approved programs. Many non-ABA-approved programs in our directory also produce successful graduates through strong curricula, experienced faculty, and employer connections.

It depends on your situation and goals. Post-degree certificates work well if you already have a bachelor’s degree and want to transition quickly into paralegal work. Associate degree programs are ideal if you’re starting your higher education journey or want more comprehensive training. Some faculty noted a trend toward bachelor’s-degree preferences in the field.

Very important, according to our interviews. Programs with required or optional internships help students gain practical experience, build professional networks, and often secure jobs before graduation. Even at schools where internships are optional, faculty are typically available to help students find suitable placements. If a program doesn’t offer internships at all, that’s a potential red flag.

Yes, and many programs are designed specifically for working adults, offering evening classes, online courses, or hybrid formats. The key is finding a program format that fits your schedule. Several faculty we interviewed mentioned time management as a specific focus in their curriculum, recognizing that students must juggle multiple responsibilities.