Elizabethtown College’s School of Graduate and Professional Studies (SGPS) is offering aspiring paralegals and legal assistants options for obtaining the skills and knowledge needed to serve the community with integrity through the recently launched Paralegal Studies program. Courses will begin in August 2024.
Developed in collaboration with the Lancaster Bar Association, the innovative program built on a stackable credential model equips aspiring paralegals with proficiency in legal research and writing, a deep understanding of ethical standards, and practical skills in utilizing technology within legal settings.
“As a longstanding member of Lancaster’s legal community, I am thrilled to witness the unveiling of Etown’s groundbreaking Paralegal program,” Executive Director of the Lancaster Bar Association and Lancaster Law Foundation, Lisa M. Driendl-Miller said. “This initiative marks a pivotal moment for our legal community, promising a pipeline of highly trained paralegals equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in today’s legal landscape. Etown’s dedication to fostering excellence in legal education ensures that our local firms will have access to top-tier talent, further solidifying Lancaster’s reputation as a hub of legal innovation and expertise.”
Participants can pursue three separate undergraduate certificate options or combine them to attain an Associate of Science (A.S.) in Paralegal Studies. The 16-course, 64-credit program, including a practical one-credit internship, blends online coursework with synchronous components taught by Lancaster Bar Association adjunct faculty.
“Our partnership with the Lancaster Bar Association has created a dynamic and innovative approach to paralegal education,” Elizabethtown College School of Graduate and Professional Studies Assessment and Curriculum Coordinator, Dr. Matt Bergman said. “The program capitalizes on the experiences of Central Pennsylvania’s top legal experts and addresses cutting-edge legal issues such as Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and Artificial Intelligence.”
The program fulfills a growing need for well-trained professionals in the ever-evolving paralegal industry with approximately 38,000 openings across the nation projected annually from 2022-32, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.