Legal Studies

Paralegal Program

Are you interested in how the legal system works? A paralegal career is an exciting choice if you want to learn more about the law. Paralegals, under the supervision of attorneys, provide services in all phases of the legal system including courts, law firms and government agencies. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law. If you're ready for a fulfilling career in the legal profession, you want to start the Paralegal program at Northwestern College.

Paralegal Studies Overview

• Understand and exhibit the expected ethical behavior
• List and explain the steps involved in taking a case to trial by preparing pleadings and other litigation-related documents
• Analyze and draft contract provisions and contracts which conform to legal precedents
• Display the ability to independently research legal issues
• Demonstrate the ability to perform various forms of legal writing and prepare legal documents
• Demonstrate an understanding of the paralegal's role in the resolution of tort/personal injury matters by defining causes of actions, identifying the types and amounts of damages which may be awarded and demonstrating proper tort research techniques
• Exhibit judgment, comprehension and analytical ability in categorizing legal data and issues
• Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills
• Exhibit computer proficiency and knowledge of computer software used in the legal profession
• Perform, through an externship, paralegal skills necessary to work competently in a legal environment

Paralegal Program Goals

Upon completion of the program, it is expected that students will be able to:

• Understand and exhibit expected ethical behavior of the paralegal profession
• Understand and demonstrate the necessary steps to bring a case to trial by preparing pleadings, discovery requests, and other litigation-related documents
• Display the ability to independently research legal issues and prepare appropriate legal documents
• Perform through an externship, paralegal skills necessary to competently work in a legal environment
• Exhibit computer proficiency and knowledge of computer software used in the legal profession

Paralegal Career Opportunities (CIP Code 22.0302)

Paralegals are in demand at law firms, court systems, government agencies at all levels, corporations, non-profit organizations, insurance and health care companies, real estate title companies, and financial services organizations.

The Paralegal program is designed to prepare you for potential employment in a number of occupations, including the following: (each occupation listed contains a link to information on the U.S. Department of Labor’s O*NET website).

23-2011.00 - Paralegals and Legal Assistants
23-2099.00 - Legal Support Workers

Accreditation

The Paralegal program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).

Northwestern College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org. Requirements and Course Offerings

Requirements and Course Offerings

See the Northwestern College Catalog

Other Program Information

The job placement rate for the Paralegal program was unable to be calculated at this time, pending the creation of an approved formula for job placement calculations by the U.S. Department of Education. Upon publication of a formula, this web page will be updated promptly.

During the 2010-2011 Academic Year (July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011), 29 students graduated from the Paralegal program at Northwestern College. Of these students, 5 (or 17%) graduated on-time as defined in the Northwestern College catalog. (Part-time students generally take a longer period of time to graduate because they don’t take a full course load; therefore, the graduation rate is lower since part-time students are not considered to have graduated on-time). The median student loan indebtedness of the Paralegal program graduates in 2010-2011 was as follows: Federal Stafford Student Loans (subsidized/unsubsidized) - $30,500; Third-Party Private Education Loans - $0; Northwestern College Institutional (GAP) Loan - $2,186.

The tuition and fees cost for a student starting the Paralegal associate degree program as of the 2011-2012 academic year is estimated at $46,365, based upon six academic quarters of full-time tuition at current tuition rates. (Potential future tuition increases cannot be determined at this time, and hence are not factored into this estimate.) Book and supply costs are estimated at $2,400. (The actual cost will vary depending on multiple factors). Northwestern College does not offer on-campus housing. For additional information on college costs, please visit our Financial Aid Cost of Attendance web page.