Paralegal Studies - Champlain College

Paralegal Studies from Champlain College is a Campus Bachelor Paralegal degree that prepares you for a Legal career. The legal field can be complex, and the powers of persuasion and subtleties of interpretation can make all the difference. Law firms rely on paralegals to lay the groundwork for the issues they resolve -- whether in court with clients or on the printed page. Employed by law firms, corporations, financial institutions, and government agencies, paralegals work under the supervision of attorneys and may be responsible for preparing pleadings, interviewing clients, researching legal problems, drafting documents and assisting attorneys at trial. Instruction combines practical skills with legal theory and analysis. A Paralegal degree is widely respected both in the legal field and in the business world. It will enable you to find work in any state and even internationally in this rapidly growing profession. Program director Jim FryPre-Law Interest Typically, "pre-law" students at Champlain opt to major either in Paralegal Studies or Criminal Justice. However, students who plan to attend law school are free to choose any major at the undergraduate level. In fact, law schools look more for students who have done well in college overall, particularly in courses with intensive writing and research requirements, than for specific majors. Regardless of the major you choose at Champlain, we recommend taking some of our law-related courses as a way of smoothing your transition into law school. This won't guarantee admission to law school, but it may make your first year less stressful because you'll be familiar with legal terminology and basic legal research methods. Another advantage at Champlain is that you can be advised by the coordinator of our Paralegal Studies program, who is also a practicing attorney. Program Details Program Highlights Start taking courses in the legal field beginning in your first semester and complete an intensive, 165-hour internship in your final year. Develop solid research and writing skills that you can apply in many fields after taking challenging legal courses in conjunction with a theme-based series of upper-level social science courses. Learn to prepare pleadings, interview clients, research legal problems, draft documents and assist attorneys at trial. Become well-versed in legal ethics, legal writing and critical thinking. Students will earn an embedded associate's degree in Paralegal Studies after two years and a bachelor's degree in Paralegal Studies after four years. Career Opportunities Paralegal opportunities are projected to grow faster than average, as paralegals increasingly perform many legal tasks formerly carried out by lawyers. Law is a dynamic and ever-changing discipline; paraprofessionals' research skills and expertise are essential to the successful functioning of the law field. Your paralegal training at Champlain will allow you to work as a paralegal anywhere in the country. Paralegal graduates find jobs in law firms, banks, government agencies, insurance companies and large corporations reviewing corporate contracts, doing regulatory compliance, or as a researcher or investigator. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics: "While some paralegals train on the job, employers increasingly prefer graduates of postsecondary paralegal education programs, especially graduates of 4-year paralegal programs or college graduates who have completed paralegal certificate programs." View more details on Champlain College . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Paralegal courses.