Paralegal Program
Lansing Community College is proud to offer two excellent Paralegal education programs: The Associate Degree in Business and the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate. Both are approved by the American Bar Association. The approval of the American Bar Association is a designation that is recognized by members of the legal community as an indicator of quality and is respected by leaders in the field of paralegal education.
The Associate Degree curriculum consists of in-depth legal specialty classes along with a general basic education. Students in this curriculum may be in college for the first time or may have some previous college experience. A student with no previous college can usually complete the curriculum in two years, attending full-time.
The Post-Baccalaureate certificate program is offered for students who have already earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university. These students can usually complete the program in one year, attending full-time.
Program
Objectives:
The overall objective is to provide
education and training to produce graduates who have the motivation, skills and
abilities to meet the high standards of this challenging career. To this
end, the specific objectives are:
To encourage career preparation and personal development through legal training.
To define paralegal roles and identify employment opportunities in traditional and non-traditional settings.
Role of a Paralegal:
Paralegals are professionals who
provide non-clerical services under the supervision of an attorney.
Tasks that might be performed by paralegals include maintenance of
important documents relating to lawsuits or business transactions,
preparation of trial exhibits, legal research and investigation,
drafting of court pleadings and legal documents, and completion of
form documents. The actual practice of law is restricted to
licensed attorneys. Work performed by paralegals allows attorneys to
commit more time to activities that specifically require the
expertise of a trained lawyer. Use of paralegals results in
lower costs for legal services and greater efficiency and economy
for all concerned.
Student
Profile:
The students in the program are as
diverse as the opportunities that await them upon graduation. Many enter
the program directly from high school. Some bring with them significant
work experience or other educational background. Some students have used
this training as a springboard to law school and career as an attorney.
