Gainesville State College

Gainesville State College

Gain a successful career in the paralegal field

The Paralegal Program aims not only to providing students with the right training in the practical application of legal theory but also to refine their analytical, communication and organization skills while always being aware of the prohibition against unauthorized practice of law. It is mandatory for a licensed attorney to supervise and direct the work of a paralegal.

The program achieves these goals through a number of specific criteria:

• The first objective involves implementing and maintaining a strong, diverse program of quality paralegal education, creating competent paralegals.
• The second is to give the students knowledge in a wide variety of legal areas, as well as in specific legal skills.
• Thirdly, the program lets students graduate with the ability to find jobs offered by many different employers in the field of their choice.
• Fourth, the program prepares graduates to work well with lawyers, clients, and the public.
• A fifth objective involves strengthening and building on the skills already possessed by students that already have jobs in the legal field.
• Sixth, we teach students how to use critical thinking and abstract reasoning, as well as how to use effective speech and writing skills.
• Seventh, the program gives students an understanding of how important legal ethics, confidentiality, and professional responsibility are, and teaches them what non-legal professionals are and are not allowed to do so far as practicing law unauthorized.
• Finally, as an eighth objective, we seek to improve the performance of legal services by non-lawyers.