The paralegal career field is one of the fastest growing occupations, and the demand for qualified paralegals is rising. The Associate Degree Paralegal Program at RETS College is approved by the American Bar Association, and will train you for an exciting career in the legal field.
In only 18 months, you can receive your Associate Degree in Paralegal in this convenient day or evening program at our suburban Centerville campus. Classes are taught by experienced attorneys and paralegals, and you will receive training in all the latest technology used in the law offices of today.
Students in the Paralegal Program at RETS receive individualized attention, career counseling, and lifetime placement services.
The Paralegal Associate Degree program consists of 5 semesters and takes 18 months to complete.
The curriculum provides for instruction in most substantive areas of the law, as well as a number of general education courses for a well-rounded college education.
Two legal research and writing courses teach students how to brief cases, draft legal memoranda, and perform manual and electronic legal research.
Computer skills are a focus of the program. Students are taught various computer software programs that are utilized by lawyers in their practices.
An optional internship program is available to students who are in their 5th semester of study and who would like further exposure to the legal field and gain valuable experience applying their skills in a supervised, law office setting.
The Paralegal Program is approved by the American Bar Association.
Legal Assistants and Paralegals (the terms are used interchangeably in this region) are a distinct group of professionals who play an integral role in the delivery of legal services. They are employed in all areas where legal work is performed, including law firms, banks, corporations, insurance agencies, legal clinics, courts, governmental agencies, real estate offices, title companies, accounting firms and legal aid offices. The Paralegal profession is considered one of the fastest growing career fields, with tremendous potential for career growth and professional development.
Legal Assistants and Paralegals work under the supervision of an attorney and perform many duties such as conducting client interviews, locating and interviewing witnesses, conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, correspondence and pleadings, summarizing depositions, and attending the executions of wills, real estate closings, depositions, court or administrative hearings, and trials with the attorney. However, Legal Assistants and Paralegals, like all non-lawyers, are prohibited from practicing law without a license. This means that they cannot engage in activities such as giving legal advice, representing a client in court, setting a fee, or accepting a case.
The primary goal of this program is to give the graduate the substantive legal knowledge and practical skills necessary for an entry-level position in the legal field. Specifically, the program seeks to provide students with an understanding of how law is practiced in a variety of settings in which Legal Assistants and Paralegals work. Additionally, the program strives to provide students with an understanding of the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers and their application to Legal Assistants and Paralegals, and to instill and re-enforce values of ethical conduct, competence and professionalism so that students are given a framework for ethical decision-making in the legal environment. Furthermore, students are provided with an understanding of the emerging role of the Legal Assistants and Paralegal in expanding the delivery of legal services. Finally, the program is committed to the advancement of the Legal Assistant/Paralegal profession and legal community by continuously evaluating and updating its curriculum and services such that any emerging trends in the field can be identified and incorporated into the curriculum.
Enrolling in the Paralegal Program at RETS College will help you obtain the qualifications necessary to enter the exciting field of law.
Paralegals are employed in all areas where legal work is performed, including law firms, banks, corporations, insurance agencies, legal clinics, courts, governmental agencies, real estate offices, title companies, accounting firms and legal aid offices. The Paralegal profession is considered one of the fastest growing career fields, with tremendous potential for career growth and professional development.
Take a look at the exciting opportunities that RETS can offer!
