As law offices look for ways to run their offices more cost effectively, more paralegals are being hired to perform tasks once carried out by lawyers, such as doing research and drafting legal documents. As a result, paralegal employment is expected to grow much faster than the national average for all occupations through 2014.* Southeastern Career Institute is the only General Practice Paralegal Certificate program in Dallas that is approved by the American Bar Association. Upon graduation, you can apply for entry-level employment as a paralegal with confidence and enjoy a rewarding paralegal career.
Career Preparation
The General Practice Paralegal–Days Certificate program offers classes weekdays to prepare you with the knowledge, technical skills, and work habits required for a wide variety of entry-level paralegal positions. Courses stress understanding fundamental legal terminology and concepts and developing basic skills that will enable graduates to make effective use of their training. Practical skills are stressed over theoretical knowledge. Although the day program requires more credit hours than the evening program, it includes an externship that allows you to gain practical work experience in a law office, corporate, or other legal setting.
Paralegals may not provide legal services to the public. Associate’s degree in any field of study required for admission into the paralegal program.
- Legal and factual research
- Legal drafts
- Business regulatory compliance
- Contract administration
- Law office management
Upon graduation, you may seek entry-level employment at law firms, corporations, and government agencies.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-2007 Edition.
† Paralegals are not lawyers and cannot practice law or give legal advice to consumers.
American Bar Association: www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals/directory/tx.html