Paralegal

Overview

If you enjoy dealing with legal issues, you should consider a career as a legal assistant, or paralegal. The field has seen huge growth over the past 30 years, and it is expected to continue to be one of the fastest-growing over the next 10 years.

Paralegal s work with lawyers to conduct research; investigate facts; analyze, digest, and draft documents; interview clients and witnesses. Most paralegals work in law offices, corporations, and government agencies. To be effective, paralegals must be organized, analytical and good communicators. They must also enjoy research and writing. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.

Specialized training is recommended for individuals who want to become Paralegals. A bachelor's degree is highly recommended, including or supplemented by paralegal training. Students with bachelor's degrees may use the certificate program to enhance their marketable skills.

Paralegal Program Overview of Goals & Objectives

The objective of the Marist Paralegal Program is to offer organized and comprehensive training in the theory, information, and skills required to qualify as a paralegal, in accordance with the guidelines established by the American Bar Association. 

The Paralegal program at Marist College is offered within the context of the educational purpose of the College and its commitment to liberal arts, humanist, value-oriented curriculum. Our program meets its objectives in a number of ways Faculty in the program are drawn from the Marist faculty, and from practicing lawyers and law office administrators in the Mid-Hudson area.  

The program encourages a generalist orientation among its students, while stressing specific competency in paralegal studies. Program matriculates may satisfy the program generalist requirement by having a baccalaureate degree, by being enrolled in the College‘s baccalaureate program contemporaneously with the Paralegal Program or by having at least 36 general education college credits.