Division of Continuing Education offering paralegal course on-line

Southern University’s Division of Continuing Education, in conjunction with The Center for Legal Studies will offer two seven week sessions of an on-line paralegal certificate course from Oct. 15 – Nov. 30 to assist those who would like to learn more about the American legal system and legal procedures.
The two seven week sessions will include Paralegal I “Introduction to Paralegal Studies,” and Paralegal II “Advanced Paralegal Concepts.”
These on-line courses are also designed to assist students who want to work as a paralegal, or open a freelance paralegal business, or litigate cases on a pro se basis.
Southern University’s on-line courses can also assist retained attorneys in litigating their own cases; also it can be beneficial for students who would like to be better prepared to excel during the first year of law school.
“The job market (for the paralegal profession) is wide open there are many opportunities,” said Dean of International and Continuing Education Barbara Carpenter.
Because many minorities are not aware or trained, the opportunities are not available, added Carpenter. If the university can “provide a mechanism by which we can allow minorities to be trained that’s what the university should do.”
“We need more minorities in the paralegal field. These programs will train them and certify them; thus, they can be employed.” The paralegal program is only “one of many nontraditional programs that Southern University will offer to the public,” according to Dr. Carpenter.
The purpose of The Division of Continuing Educations is to “provide programs and classes that are not normal collegiate classes for the general public and anyone interested,” said Mrs. Yvonne Campbell, Coordinator of non credit programs at Southern University
“The mission of the program is to bring the university to the public and the public to the university. In doing this we try to look for courses that are different and unique.” The program will provide “a great service to the community by providing relevant courses for persons in the community,” explained Mrs. Campbell.
Tuition for these courses will cost approximately $1,089 for the Paralegal I course and 544.50 for the Paralegal II course. The required on-line textbooks will cost $290. The second course “Advanced Paralegal Concepts,” will require a WESTLAN access format which will cost $60.
Financial aid is available through Sallie Mae’s Career Training Loan, Sun Trust’s eMax Education Loan, TERI’s Continuing Education Loan, Bank One’s Education One Loan and JP Morgan’s Extra Student Loan. Aid is also available through easyaid.com.
Upon course completion, Southern University and The Center for Legal Studies will award achievement with a professionally recognized certificate of completion.
For more information, to register, or to receive the 2008 academic schedule, contact Southern University’s Division of Continuing Education at (225) 771-2613 or the Center for Legal Studies at 1 (800) 522-7737. To retain visual information, visit www. Legalstudies.com.