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C.O.D. Offers Paralegal A.A.S. Degree and Certificate

College of DuPage has received approval from the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) to offer an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree and a certificate in Paralegal Studies.

The official start of the new degree/certificate program is immediate, according to Sally N. Fairbank, program coordinator. Fairbank noted that some students recieved a head start on their program studies by enrolling in introductory classes in fall 2006. Those classes will count toward the associate's degree or certificate program.

"I am very pleased with the ICCB approval," Fairbank said. "Their approval indicates that there is a strong need in our community for a Paralegal Studies program. I have every confidence that this program will become a vital and valuable addition to the college and community."

Meryl Sussman, C.O.D. dean, Business and Technology, and Fairbank project a target enrollment in fall 2007 for the new program of about 60 students.

"The program has already received enthusiastic support from the local legal community," Sussman said.

The program advisory board is co-chaired by Fairbank and by Lyle Haskin, an attorney with Haskin & Corrigan, PC in Wheaton.

"The ICCB approval of C.O.D.'s Paralegal Studies program manifests recognition of the legal and academic communities' need for high-quality, local training of paralegals," Haskin said. "As DuPage County grows, there will be an increasing need in the community for paralegals in both the public and private sectors. C.O.D.'s history of contribution to the needs of the community is enhanced by the program and the ICCB approval."

Other members of the C.O.D. Paralegal Studies advisory board include several lawyers, paralegals and a judge. Also endorsing the program with enthusiasm is Barbara Lipe (Naperville), a C.O.D. student who is enrolled in Introduction to Paralegal Studies.

"I've been very happy with the class," Lipe said. "Sally (Fairbank) is well-organized, competent and very helpful to her students. Her knowledge, experience and enthusiasm just shows. She will bend over backwards to help students. I've learned so much."

Lipe said that Fairbank also brings in outside speakers, including paralegals, who are working in the field.

"Just hearing from them and learning about their interesting and varied work has really encouraged me," Lipe said. "This program is a real asset to students and the community."

There are currently seven American Bar Association-approved Paralegal programs in northern Illinois: Harper College, Elgin Community College, Loyola University-Chicago, Roosevelt University-Chicago, South Suburban College, Kankakee Community College and Northwestern Business College.

"C.O.D.'s program will adhere to all American Bar Association guidelines from its inception and will apply for approval from the American Bar Association at the earliest possible date, which is two years after the program has been launched and a group of students has graduated," Sussman said.

An additional Paralegal program has recently been launched at College of Lake County.

A paralegal is a person who works for a lawyer, law office, corporation, government agency or other entity, who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.

Paralegal job prospects, according to Sussman and Fairbank, are bright. In fact, the Department of Labor Occupational Outlook lists paralegal job prospects as growing faster than the average over the next decade. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment for paralegals will grow by 27 percent or more by 2014.

In addition, while paralegal salaries vary greatly, depending on education, training, experience and workplace type and location, May 2004 BLS data states that paralegal salaries range from $34,910 to $59,370 nationally.

For more information about the Paralegal Studies program at C.O.D., call Fairbank, (630) 942-2955, or visit: www.cod.edu/paralegal.

Related Links

• American Association for Paralegal Education
• American Bar Association
• College Central Network Services for College of DuPage
• Illinois Paralegal Association
• National Association of Legal Assistants
• National Federation of Paralegal Associations

The resource information listed above is available in C.O.D.’s Library College and Career Information Center: Paralegal Careers (PDF)