School of Service Professionals - Paralegal

Paralegal
Contact: datcinfo@datc.net

Program Length:	895 hours
College Credit Available:	No
Apprenticeship Available:	No
Wage Summary:	Average Entry-level wage: $18.20 per hour
Federal Financial Aid:	Yes
VA Qualified:	Yes
Special Requirements	Open to qualified high school and adult students Significant reading & writing ability
Hours Available:	M-F 7:40 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Paralegals perform substantive legal work under the supervision of an attorney. Training in the Paralegal Program prepares students for employment in law offices, government offices, public service agencies and companies with in-house legal staff. Students will acquire writing and verbal communication skills, problem solving and analytical skills, computer, leadership, and presentation skills - some of the skills most in demand in today's job market. The curriculum emphasizes civil litigation and includes courses in ethics, interviewing and investigating, and criminal law and procedure.

Prerequisites:
The Paralegal Program requires significant reading and writing skills. Program applicants must attain a minimum score of 80+ in reading and writing on the Compass Placement test. Students with a writing score between 65 and 79 may be allowed concurrent enrollment while upgrading writing skills. 

Enrollment for this program is year round.

Paralegal Program Requirements
(Core Course: 895 hrs required) 

Introduction to Law (45 hrs)
Civil Procedures & the Paralegal's Role in Civil Litigation (120 hrs)
Interviewing & Investigating (60 hrs)
Cases, Codes and Compilations; Research and Writing for Paralegals (60 hrs)
Professionalism and Ethics for Paralegal (45 hrs)
Family Law: The Paralegal's Role in a Divorce (90 hrs)
Effective Communication for Paralegals (25 hrs)
Criminal Law & Procedure for Paralegals (60 hrs)
Law Office Management: Policies & Procedures for Paralegals (30 hrs)
Paralegal Internship (120 hrs)
Math I (60 hrs)
Computer Literacy (90 hrs)
Job Seeking Skills (30 hrs)
Workplace Relations (60 hrs)

DATC Certificate of Proficiency for Paralegal
Core Course: 895 hours