This program prepares students for a successful career as a paralegal. Paralegals perform delegated legal work such as drafting documents, conducting legal research, interviewing and investigating and assisting attorney with a variety of tasks. According to the Kansas Occupational Projections 2016 - 2026 there is an expected growth of 19.9% in the paralegal field and a median wage of $40,035.

Students entering the program with an associate of arts, associate of science, or bachelor degree from an accredited college, or who desire only to obtain the certificate will take the Paralegal Certificate pathway. Students without a degree who desire a degree will be on the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal pathway.

Upon successful completion of the course requirements with a grade of a “C” or better in the paralegal certificate courses, students will be eligible to apply for one of two national examinations. Those examinations are:

National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. exam to become a Certified Paralegal (CP), or

NALS … the association for legal professionals’ exam to become a Professional Paralegal (PP) or Accredited Legal Professional (AL)) or a Certified Legal Professional (CLP).

Students will have the opportunity to become members of the Heartland Paralegal Association (HPA) which is a not-for-profit professional organization dedicated to the advancement of the paralegal profession.