Program of Study: Paralegal Studies
Academic Division: Business Division
The Paralegal profession is one of the fastest-growing professions in Lake County. Students who graduate from Illinois community college Paralegal Studies programs have a high success rate in finding jobs; 94.9% of graduates surveyed were employed after graduation. The average entry-level wage for paralegals in Lake County is $38,652/year.
The work that paralegals perform varies depending on the environment in which they work and the area of law in which they are employed. Private law firms are the single largest employer of paralegals. Paralegals also work in other private sector organizations, such as corporate legal departments, insurance companies, and hospitals. Numerous opportunities are available in the public sector, such as community legal service programs, offices of public defenders, state attorneys, government agencies and the judicial system. Paralegals are employed in many different areas of law, such as litigation, real estate, corporate, family law and labor law. Paralegals are important members of the legal team with specialized skills and knowledge. Paralegals must work under the supervision of an attorney. Paralegals are prohibited from practicing law, which means that they cannot give legal advice, represent clients in court, establish legal fees or commit an attorney to represent a client.
The Certificate Program
If you have an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science or a Bachelor's degree, you are well-prepared to begin the Paralegal Studies certificate. Since you already have a foundation in general education, the certificate program requires only seven Paralegal Studies courses. The required Paralegal Studies courses focus on the specific knowledge and skills needed to be successful as a paralegal. The elective courses allow you to gain additional knowledge in legal specialty areas of particular interest to you.
NOTE: To earn this certificate students must have completed, in addition to the specialty courses required for the certificate, one of the following: Bachelor degree, Associate in Arts degree, Associate in Science degree or Associate in Applied Science degree.
If you have an Associate of Applied Science(AAS) degree, you must have completed the equivalent of the following College of Lake County general education courses: ENG 121, ENG 126, CMM 128, PHI 125, CIS 119, PSY 121 or SOC 121, PSC 121, MTH 114 or higher. If you have an AAS degree and do not have these courses, you will need to take any you do not have in addition to the 21 credit hours for the certificate.
The Associate in Applied Science Degree Program
This program has been designed for those who do not already have an Associate's or higher degree. It will provide a solid foundation in general education, which is crucial in developing the communication and critical thinking skills needed for success in any career. The required Paralegal Studies courses will focus on the specific knowledge and skills needed to be successful as a paralegal. Additionally, the elective courses will provide opportunities to gain additional knowledge in legal specialty areas.
Complete descriptions of these programs along with requirements for completing these degrees and certificates are found in the CLC catalog. (Click on the "Program Requirements" link at the right to see the Paralega Studies programs and their requirements or click on the "CLC Catalog" link at the right, select Associate in Applied Science and Career Certificates and scroll down to the Paralegal Studies section.)
Related Links
Contact Information
Gayle Miller
Department Chair
T207
Phone: (847) 543-2517
gmiller@clcillinois.edu
Faculty/Academic Advisors
Program Requirements*
Course Descriptions
Class Schedule by Term
*The Program Requirements are in Portable Document Format (pdf). To view them you need Adobe Acrobat Reader.
