101
AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION
ADOPTED BY THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES
FEBRUARY 9, 2015
RESOLUTION
RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association reapproves the following paralegal education
programs: Community College of the Air Force, Paralegal Program, Maxwell AFB, AL;
California State University East Bay, Paralegal Studies Program, Hayward, CA; Johnson County
Community College, Legal Studies Program, Overland Park, KS; Eastern Kentucky University,
Paralegal Studies Program, Richmond, KY; Suffolk University, Applied Legal Studies Program,
Boston, MA; Madonna University, Paralegal Studies Program, Livonia, MI; North Hennepin
Community College, Paralegal Program, Brooklyn Park, MN; Pitt Community College,
Paralegal Technology Program, Greenville, NC; Bronx Community College, Paralegal Studies
Program, Bronx, NY; Mercy College, Legal Studies Program, Dobbs Ferry, NY; Rhodes State
College, Paralegal/Legal Studies Program, Lima, OH; University of Cincinnati, Paralegal
Program, Cincinnati, OH; University of Tulsa, Paralegal Studies Program, Tulsa, OK; LehighCarbon Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Schnecksville, PA; Horry-Georgetown
Technical College, Legal Assistant/Paralegal Program, Conway, SC; Volunteer State
Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Gallatin, TN; Spokane Community College,
Paralegal Program, Spokane, WA and Mountwest Community and Technical College, Paralegal
Studies Program, Huntington, WV.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association withdraws the approval of Daymar
College, Paralegal Studies Program, Owensboro, KY, at the request of the institution.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association extends the terms of approval until
the August 2015 Annual Meeting of the House of Delegates for the following programs:
University of Alaska Fairbanks, Paralegal Studies Program, Fairbanks, AK; Auburn University
Montgomery, Paralegal Education Program, Montgomery, AL; Samford University, Division of
Paralegal Studies, Birmingham, AL; University of Arkansas Fort Smith, Legal
Assistance/Paralegals Program, Fort Smith, AR; Everest College Phoenix, Paralegal Program,
Phoenix, AZ; Coastline Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Fountain Valley, CA;
El Camino Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Torrance, CA; Fremont College,
Paralegal Studies Program, Cerritos, CA; National University, Paralegal Studies Program, Los
Angeles, CA; Pasadena City College, Paralegal Studies Program, Pasadena, CA; Santa Ana
College, Paralegal Studies Program, Santa Ana, CA; University of California LA-UCLA Ext,
Paralegal Training Program, Los Angeles, CA; University of California, Irvine Extension,
Paralegal Certificate Program, Irvine, CA;University of California, San Diego, Legal Assistant
101
Training Program, La Jolla, CA; University of California, Santa Barbara, Paralegal Professional
Certificate Program, Santa Barbara, CA; Quinnipiac University, Legal Studies Program,
Hamden, CT; Nova Southeastern University, Paralegal Studies Program, Fort Lauderdale, FL;
Seminole State College of Florida fka Seminole Community College, Legal Assistant/Paralegal
Program, Sanford, FL; Clayton State University, Legal Studies Program, Morrow, GA;
Northwestern College fka Northwestern Business College, Institute of Legal Studies,
Bridgeview, IL; Robert Morris University, Chicago, Paralegal Studies Program, Chicago, IL;
Robert Morris University, Springfield, Paralegal Studies Program, Springfield, IL; Rockford
Career College fka Rockford Business College, Paralegal Program, Rockford, IL; William
Rainey Harper College, Paralegal Studies Program, Palatine, IL; Vincennes University, Paralegal
Program, Vincennes, IN; Sullivan University, Louisville, Institute for Legal Studies, Louisville,
KY; University of Louisville, Paralegal Studies Program, Louisville, KY; Tulane University,
Paralegal Studies Program, New Orleans, LA; Stevenson University fka Villa Julie College,
Paralegal Program, Owings Mills, MD; Baker College of Auburn Hills, Paralegal Program,
Auburn Hills, MI; Eastern Michigan University, Legal Assisting Program, Ypsilanti, MI; Henry
Ford Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Dearborn, MI; Minnesota State University
Moorhead, Paralegal Program, Moorhead, MN; Missouri Western State University, Legal
Studies Program, St. Joseph, MO; Webster University, Legal Studies Program, St. Louis, MO;
University of Southern Mississippi, Paralegal Studies Program, Hattiesburg, MS; University of
Great Falls, Paralegal Studies Program, Great Falls, MT; University of Montana – Missoula,
Paralegal Studies Program, Missoula, MT; College of Saint Mary, Paralegal Studies Program,
Omaha, NE; Metropolitan Community College, Legal Assistant Program, Omaha, NE;
Brookdale Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Lincroft, NJ; Fairleigh Dickinson
University, Paralegal Studies Program, Madison, NJ; Mercer County Community College,
Paralegal Program, Trenton, NJ; Middlesex County College, Legal Studies Department, Edison,
NJ; Raritan Valley Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Somerville, NJ; Genesee
Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Batavia, NY; Long Island University Brooklyn,
Paralegal Studies Program, Brooklyn, NY; Nassau Community College, Paralegal Program,
Garden City, NY; New York City College of Technology, Paralegal Studies Program, Brooklyn,
NY; Queen’s College, Paralegal Studies Program, Flushing, NY; St. John’s University, Paralegal
Studies Program, Jamaica, NY; Suffolk County Community College, Paralegal Studies Program,
Selden, NY; Capital University Law School, Paralegal Program, Columbus, OH; Cuyahoga
Community College, Paralegal Studies/Legal Nurse Consulting Program, Parma, OH; Kent State
University, Paralegal Studies Program, Kent, OH; Sinclair Community College, Paralegal
Program, Dayton, OH; University of Toledo (Scott Park), Paralegal Studies Program, Toledo,
OH; Ursuline College, Legal Studies Program, Pepper Pike, OH; East Central University, Legal
Studies Program, Ada, OK; Central Pennsylvania College, Paralegal Program, Summerdale, PA;
Delaware County Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Media, PA; Harrisburg Area
Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Harrisburg, PA; Orangeburg-Calhoun
Technical College, Paralegal Program, Orangeburg, SC; Technical College of the Low Country,
Paralegal Program, Beaufort, SC; Western Dakota Technical Institute, Paralegal Program, Rapid
City, SD; Walters State Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Morristown, TN;
Kaplan College, General Practice Paralegal Program, Dallas, TX; Lamar State College, Paralegal
Studies Program, Port Arthur, TX; Marymount University, Paralegal Studies Program,
Arlington, VA; Tacoma Community College, Paralegal Program, Tacoma, WA; Northeast
Wisconsin Technical College, Paralegal Studies Program, Green Bay, WI; Casper College,
2
101
Paralegal Studies Program, Casper, WY; and Laramie County Community College, Paralegal
Studies Program, Cheyenne, WY.
3
101
REPORT
In August, 1973, the House of Delegates of the American Bar Association adopted the
Guidelines for the Approval of Legal Assistant Education Programs as recommended by the
Special Committee on Legal Assistants, now known as the Standing Committee on Paralegals.
The Committee subsequently developed supporting evaluative criteria and procedures for
seeking American Bar Association approval. Applications for approval were accepted formally
beginning in the Fall of 1974.
Programs applying for approval or reapproval are required to submit a self-evaluation report
which provides a comprehensive description of the program, including but not limited to the
following areas: organization and administration, financial support, curriculum, faculty,
admissions, student services, advisory committee, library, and physical plant. An on-site visit to
the program is conducted by representatives of the Association if the contents of the selfevaluation report indicate compliance with the ABA Guidelines.
No applications for initial approval are submitted in this report. However, for an initial approval,
the inspection team is chaired by a member of the Approval Commission of the Standing
Committee on Paralegals, or a specially designated past commissioner, and consists of a lawyer,
an experienced paralegal or a director of another institution’s program. On a reapproval visit, the
team, which is again chaired by a member of the Approval Commission, or a specially
designated past commissioner, includes two of the previously mentioned groups. The purpose of
the on-site visit is to verify the information provided in the self-evaluation report and to acquire
supplementary information helpful to making an evaluation and which can only be obtained
through the person-to-person contact and the observation the visit affords. The visit is conducted
over a one and one-half day period and consists of a series of meetings with the advisory
committee, students, faculty and other individuals involved to a lesser extent and in some aspect
of the program, such as the registrar, financial officer, placement coordinator and admissions and
counseling staff. The team also observes legal specialty classes in session and may inspect
various program data, such as detailed curriculum materials, admission and placement records,
student evaluations of faculty members, and courses.
Following the on-site visit a written report is prepared by team members. The Approval
Commission reviews the evaluation report and makes its recommendations to the Standing
Committee on Paralegals, which in turn, submits its recommendation to the American Bar
Association House of Delegates for final action.
The following schools were recently evaluated for reapproval. Having demonstrated compliance
with the Guidelines for the Approval of Paralegal Education Programs, the Standing Committee
on Paralegals recommends that reapproval be granted to the following programs:
Community College of the Air Force, Paralegal Program, Maxwell AFB, AL
Community College of the Air Force is a two-year community college accredited by the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Applied
Science degree in Paralegal Studies.
101
California State University East Bay, Paralegal Studies Program, Hayward, CA
California State University East Bay is a four-year university accredited by the Western
Association of Schools and Colleges. The university offers a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
Johnson County Community College, Legal Studies Program, Overland Park, KS
Johnson County Community College is a two-year community college accredited by the North
Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Arts degree, a
Certificate in Paralegal Studies, and a Legal Nurse Consulting Certificate.
Eastern Kentucky University, Paralegal Studies Program, Richmond, KY
Eastern Kentucky University is a four-year university accredited by the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools. The university offers a Bachelor of Arts degree, an Associate of Applied
Science degree, a Minor, and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
Suffolk University, Applied Legal Studies Program, Boston, MA
Suffolk University is a four-year university accredited by the New England Association of
Colleges and Schools. The university offers a Bachelor of Science degree, a Bachelor of Arts
degree, an Associate of Arts degree, and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
Madonna University, Paralegal Studies Program, Livonia, MI
Madonna University is a four-year university accredited by the North Central Association of
Colleges and Schools. The university offers a Bachelor of Science degree, an Associate of
Science degree, a Certificate in Paralegal Studies, and a Nurse Paralegal Certificate.
North Hennepin Community College, Paralegal Program, Brooklyn Park, MN
North Hennepin Community College is a two-year community college accredited by the North
Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Science degree
and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
Pitt Community College, Paralegal Technology Program, Greenville, NC
Pitt Community College is a two-year community college accredited by the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Applied Science degree
and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
Bronx Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Bronx, NY
Bronx Community College is a two-year community college accredited by the Middle States
Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Applied Science degree
in Paralegal Studies, an Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Studies with a Lay
Advocate Option, and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
Mercy College, Legal Studies Program, Dobbs Ferry, NY
Mercy College is a four-year college accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges
and Schools. The college offers a Bachelor of Science degree with a Specialization in Paralegal
Studies.
2
101
Rhodes State College, Paralegal/Legal Studies Program, Lima, OH
Rhodes State College is a two-year college accredited by the North Central Association of
Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Applied Business degree and a
Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
University of Cincinnati, Paralegal Program, Cincinnati, OH
The University of Cincinnati is a four-year university accredited by the North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools. The university offers a Bachelor of Science degree and a
Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
University of Tulsa, Paralegal Studies Program, Tulsa, OK
The University of Tulsa is a four-year university accredited by the North Central Association of
Colleges and Schools. The university offers a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
Lehigh-Carbon Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Schnecksville, PA
Lehigh-Carbon Community College is a two-year community college accredited by the Middle
States Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Applied Science
degree, a Certificate in Paralegal Studies, and a collaborative program with Kutztown University
for completion of a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in another field with a Minor
in Paralegal Studies.
Horry-Georgetown Technical College, Legal Assistant/Paralegal Studies Program, Conway, SC
Horry-Georgetown Technical College is a two-year technical college accredited by the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Applied Science degree
and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
Volunteer State Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Gallatin, TN
Volunteer State Community College is a two-year community college accredited by the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Science degree, and
Associate of Applied Science degree, and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
Spokane Community College, Paralegal Program, Spokane, WA
Spokane Community College is a two-year community college accredited by the Northwest
Association of Schools and Colleges. The college offers an Associate of Applied Science
degree, a Certificate in Paralegal Studies, and a Legal Nurse Consulting Certificate.
Mountwest Community and Technical College, Paralegal Studies Program, Huntington, WV
Mountwest Community and Technical College is a two-year community and technical college
accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an
Associate of Applied Science degree.
Applications for reapproval have been filed by the following schools and are currently being
evaluated. Until the evaluation process has been completed, the Committee recommends that the
term of approval for each program be extended until the 2015 Annual Meeting of the American
Bar Association House of Delegates.
3
101
University of Alaska Fairbanks, Paralegal Studies Program, Fairbanks, AK;
Auburn University Montgomery, Paralegal Education Program, Montgomery, AL;
Samford University, Division of Paralegal Studies, Birmingham, AL;
University of Arkansas Fort Smith, Legal Assistance/Paralegal Program, Fort Smith,
AR;
Everest College Phoenix, Paralegal Program, Phoenix, AZ;
Coastline Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Fountain Valley, CA;
El Camino Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Torrance, CA;
Fremont College, Paralegal Studies Program, Cerritos, CA;
National University, Paralegal Studies Program, Los Angeles, CA;
Pasadena City College, Paralegal Studies Program, Pasadena, CA;
Santa Ana College, Paralegal Studies Program, Santa Ana, CA;
University of California LA-UCLA Ext, Paralegal Training Program, Los Angeles, CA;
University of California, Irvine Extension, Paralegal Certificate Program, Irvine, CA;
University of California, San Diego, Legal Assistant Training Program, La Jolla, CA;
University of California, Santa Barbara, Paralegal Professional Certificate Program,
Santa Barbara, CA;
Quinnipiac University, Legal Studies Program, Hamden, CT;
Nova Southeastern University, Paralegal Studies Program, Fort Lauderdale, FL;
Seminole State College of Florida fka Seminole Community College, Legal
Assistant/Paralegal Program, Sanford, FL;
Clayton State University, Legal Studies Program, Morrow, GA;
Northwestern College fka Northwestern Business College, Institute of Legal Studies,
Bridgeview, IL;
Robert Morris University, Chicago, Paralegal Studies Program, Chicago, IL;
Robert Morris University, Springfield, Paralegal Studies Program, Springfield, IL;
Rockford Career College fka Rockford Business College, Paralegal Program, Rockford,
IL;
William Rainey Harper College, Paralegal Studies Program, Palatine, IL;
Vincennes University, Paralegal Program, Vincennes, IN;
Sullivan University, Louisville, Institute for Legal Studies, Louisville, KY;
University of Louisville, Paralegal Studies Program, Louisville, KY;
Tulane University, Paralegal Studies Program, New Orleans, LA;
Stevenson University fka Villa Julie College, Paralegal Program, Owings Mills,
MD;
Baker College of Auburn Hills, Paralegal Program, Auburn Hills, MI;
Eastern Michigan University, Legal Assisting Program, Ypsilanti, MI;
Henry Ford Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Dearborn, MI;
Minnesota State University Moorhead, Paralegal Program, Moorhead, MN;
Missouri Western State University, Legal Studies Program, St. Joseph, MO;
Webster University, Legal Studies Program, St. Louis, MO;
University of Southern Mississippi, Paralegal Studies Program, Hattiesburg, MS;
University of Great Falls, Paralegal Studies Program, Great Falls, MTY;
University of Montana – Missoula, Paralegal Studies Program, Missoula, MT;
College of Saint Mary, Paralegal Studies Program, Omaha, NE;
Metropolitan Community College, Legal Assistant Program, Omaha, NE;
4
101
Brookdale Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Lincroft, NJ;
Fairleigh Dickinson University, Paralegal Studies Program, Madison, NJ;
Mercer County Community College, Paralegal Program, Trenton, NJ;
Middlesex County College, Legal Studies Department, Edison, NJ;
Raritan Valley Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Somerville, NJ;
Genesee Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Batavia, NY;
Long Island University Brooklyn, Paralegal Studies Program, Brooklyn, NY;
Nassau Community College, Paralegal Program, Garden City, NY;
New York City College of Technology, Paralegal Studies Program, Brooklyn, NY;
Queen’s College, Paralegal Studies Program, Flushing, NY;
St. John’s University, Paralegal Studies Program, Jamaica, NY;
Suffolk County Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Selden, NY;
Capital University Law School, Paralegal Program, Columbus, OH;
Cuyahoga Community College, Paralegal Studies/Legal Nurse Consulting Program,
Parma, OH;
Kent State University, Paralegal Studies Program, Kent, OH;
Sinclair Community College, Paralegal Program, Dayton, OH;
University of Toledo (Scott Park), Paralegal Studies Program, Toledo, OH;
Ursuline College, Legal Studies Program, Pepper Pike, OH;
East Central University, Legal Studies Program, Ada, OK;
Central Pennsylvania College, Paralegal Program, Summerdale, PA;
Delaware County Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Media, PA;
Harrisburg Area Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Harrisburg, PA;
Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, Paralegal Program, Orangeburg, SC;
Technical College of the Low Country, Paralegal Program, Beaufort, SC;
Western Dakota Technical Institute, Paralegal Program, Rapid City, SD;
Walters State Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Morristown, TN;
Kaplan College, General Practice Paralegal Program, Dallas, TX;
Lamar State College, Paralegal Studies Program, Port Arthur, TX;
Marymount University, Paralegal Studies Program, Arlington, VA;
Tacoma Community College, Paralegal Program, Tacoma, WA;
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Paralegal Studies Program, Green Bay, WI;
Casper College, Paralegal Studies Program, Casper, WY; and
Laramie County Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Cheyenne, WY.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura C. Barnard, Chair
Standing Committee on Paralegals
February 2015
5
101
GENERAL INFORMATION FORM
Submitting Entity:
Standing Committee on Paralegals
Submitted By:
Laura C. Barnard, Chair
1.
Summary of Resolution(s).
Resolves that the House of Delegates grants reapproval to eighteen paralegal education
programs, withdraws the approval of one program at the request of the institution, and
extends the term of approval to seventy-three paralegal education programs.
2.
Approval by Submitting Entity.
October, 2014
3.
Has this or a similar resolution been submitted to the House or Board
previously?
This resolution has not been previously submitted.
4.
What existing Association policies are relevant to this resolution and how
would they be affected by its adoption?
This resolution supports the Guidelines for the Approval of Paralegal
Education Programs, as adopted by the House of Delegates.
5.
What urgency exists which requires action at this meeting of the House?
Action is timely.
6.
Status of Legislation. (If applicable.)
N/A
7.
Brief explanation regarding plans for implementation of the policy, if adopted by the
House of Delegates.
Approved programs are notified of the action of the House of Delegates by the Standing
Committee on Paralegals. The programs are monitored for compliance during the
approval term by the Standing Committee.
8.
Cost to the Association. (Both direct and indirect costs.)
None
6
101
9.
Disclosure of Interest. (If applicable.)
N/A
10.
Referrals.
None
11.
Contact Person. (Prior to the meeting.)
Peggy C. Wallace, Staff Counsel
Standing Committee on Paralegals
American Bar Association
321 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 988-5618
12.
Contact Person. (Who will present the report to the House.)
Laura C. Barnard
Chair, Business Department
Director, Paralegal Program, Lakeland Community College
7700 Clocktower Drive
Kirtland, OH 44094
(440) 5250-7352
Cell: (517) 485-3232
E-Mail: lbarnard@lakelandcc.edu
7
101
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.
Summary of the Resolution
The Standing Committee on Paralegals resolve (s) that the House of Delegates
grants reapproval to eighteen programs, withdraws the approval of one program, and
extends the term of approval of seventy-three programs.
2.
Summary of the issue which the Resolution Addresses
The programs recommended for reapproval in the enclosed report
meet the Guidelines for the Approval of Paralegal Education Programs.
3.
An explanation of how the proposed policy position Will Address the Issue
The programs recommended for reapproval in this report have followed the procedures
required by the Association and are in compliance with the Guidelines for the Approval
of Paralegal Education Programs.
4.
A summary of any minority views or opposition which have been identified
No other positions on this resolution have been taken by other Association
entities, affiliated organizations or other interested groups.
8