Paralegal
Program Number:
101101
Associate Degree in Applied Science
Program Website:
Program Courses offered at the following Campuses:
About
A paralegal or legal assistant is a person qualified by education, training, or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity to perform specifically-designated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible. Paralegals are not authorized to practice law.
The two year associate degree Paralegal program will prepare students for highly responsible entry-level positions as paralegals or legal assistants. Students take courses that provide them with the basic competencies to begin a career as a paralegal or legal assistant. The subjects covered in the program core course work are: ethics, substantive and procedural law, the American Legal system, delivery of legal services, law offices and related environments, the paralegal profession, legal research and writing, law-related computer skills, legal interviewing and investigation, and substantive areas of legal practice. The program will assist students in acquiring these essential related competencies: critical thinking skills (analysis, judgment, research and problem-solving), communication skills (oral, written, non-verbal and interpersonal), computer skills, computational skills, understanding of ethics and organizational skills.
Admissions
Requirements for Program Application
The following is required to process your application:
- High School transcript (if currently enrolled in high school, also submit your senior class listing) - or
- HSED/GED Test Scores - or
- College transcript showing an Associate's, Bachelor's or higher degree from an institution other than Madison College
To be eligible for admission to the program the student must complete a summer Introduction to Paralegal Profession course with a grade of “C” or better. Students must demonstrate a keyboarding speed of at least 50 wpm with five errors or less in order to enroll for fall paralegal classes.
For program waitlist information, refer to the Admission Information and Next Steps below.
Admission Processing Deadlines:
Fall 2012
Madison College begins collecting applications for the following year's fall semester on September 1, 2011. For this program applications and credentials must be received by July 1, 2012, to be considered for the fall semester.
Admission information and Next Steps:
Program Outcomes
Program Outcomes:
Graduates of the Paralegal Associate Degree will be able to:
1. Apply ethical principles in a legal environment.
2. Process legal documents.
3. Perform legal research.
4. Apply critical thinking skills to address legal issues.
5. Demonstrate professionalism in a legal environment.
Employment
Career Potential:
- Law Office Paralegal
- Public/Government Paralegal
- Corporation Paralegal
- Trust Department Paralegal
- Real Estate Paralegal
- Law Office Manager
- Freelance Paralegal
- Paralegal Supervisor
- Legal Aid Office Paralegal
- Contract Administrator
Additional Info
Madison Area Technical College offers the only ABA Approved Paralegal Program in Madison, WI
Please see the following link(s) for certificates related to this program:
Paralegal Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Last Modified: September 20, 2011