South Suburban College
Gain a successful career in the paralegal field
The Paralegal/Legal Assistant Program at South Suburban College consists of two programs: a two-year Associate of Applied Science program, and a Certificate Program, which are open to anyone who has obtained a baccalaureate or an associate of arts degree from an accredited college. Both of these curriculums are geared towards propelling a student towards a career as a skilled, well trained legal assistant. The program is approved by the American Bar Association and is a member of the American Association for Paralegal Education. South Suburban College's Paralegal/Legal Assistant program is the only state-approved community college paralegal program in the southern suburbs.
The program's objectives are as follows:
- To provide a flexible, robust program for the purpose of quality training and educating capable paralegals and legal assistants. This includes not only people who are new to the paralegal field but also those who are already working as paralegals and require either selective training or a degree to advance their careers.
- We strive to offer a curriculum balanced by legal theory and experience, resulting in highly trained, qualified paralegals ready to work in a variety of law and legal related environments under the direction of an attorney.
- Through two internship requirements, we will provide the students with supervised work experience in an actual legal setting.
- To help students make the transition from student to employee through information exchange, presentations, and hands-on training in skills such as creating resumes, searching for jobs, and interviewing for a job
- To contribute to the advancement of legal professionals by determining, and responding to, the changing needs of the legal and law-related community - in relationship to the curriculum.
- To provide information in regards to the significance of the American legal system through its history, current state of knowledge pertaining to other branches of government, the code of ethics of paralegals, lawyers and judges, and the crucial role of paralegals in providing legal services.
- To ensure equal opportunity in the program without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex.
