July 15, 2005
INFORMATION: John McElwain or John Green, (661) 362-3494 or 3684
College to Offer Paralegal Program Beginning Fall 2005
To help prepare students interested in a paralegal career, College of the Canyons is introducing a paralegal program with two classes being offered in the fall. This new program will give students the opportunity to explore the paralegal field and is a good introduction for anyone interested in the legal profession.
“There are not very many fields where in two years you can be a professional,” says Deborah Orlik, the instructor and organizer of the program. “The paralegal field is one of them.”
The creation of this program began when Orlik realized there was nothing in the area for students interested in the paralegal field. She discovered the demand after surveying and interviewing students at high schools in the Santa Clarita Valley. Orlik approached the dean at College of the Canyons and was put in charge of creating the program.
The paralegal program will continue to add classes each semester until all classes are available to earn an associated degree over the course of two years.
The first class, Paralegal 101: Introduction to Paralegal Studies, is an overview of the history, philosophy and practice of the paralegal profession. It will also introduce concepts, terms and theories used by the paralegal.
Paralegal 110: Civil Litigation, the second class, is an overview of the basic functions and procedures found in a civil law office. Both classes will give students a general overview at the paralegal field.
In the future, classes on ethics in the paralegal field, computer classes specific for a paralegal, and writing and research for the paralegal field will be offered.
These classes are offered during the day for the traditional student and in the evening for the working adult. This allows anyone who is interested in the paralegal or legal field to enroll.
For more information visit the College of the Canyons website at www.canyons.edu, or to register contact Admissions and Records at (661) 362-3280.
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