American bar association standing committee on paralegals report to the house of delegates



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AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION
STANDING COMMITTEE ON PARALEGALS
REPORT TO THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES
RESOLUTION
RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association approves the following programs: City College of San Francisco, Paralegal Studies Program, San Francisco, CA; Atlanta Technical College, Paralegal Studies Program, Atlanta, GA; Lewis University, Paralegal Studies Program, Romeoville, IL and Tulsa Community College, Legal Assisting/Paralegal Program, Tulsa, OK.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association reapproves the following paralegal education programs: Cuyamaca College, Paralegal Studies Program, El Cajon, CA; San Francisco State University, College of Extended Learning Paralegal Program, San Francisco, CA; West Valley College, Paralegal Program, Saratoga, CA; Norwalk Community College, Legal Assistant Program, Norwalk, CT; Florida SouthWestern State College, Paralegal Studies Program, Fort Myers, FL; Florida State College at Jacksonville, Paralegal Studies Program, Jacksonville, FL; Morehead State University, Paralegal Studies Program, Morehead, KY; Oakland Community College, Paralegal Program, Farmington Hills, MI; Oakland University, Paralegal Program, Rochester, MI; Mississippi University for Women, Legal Studies Program, Columbus, MS; Mount St. Joseph University, Paralegal Studies Program, Cincinnati OH; University of Cincinnati – Clermont College, Paralegal Studies Program, Batavia, OH; Pellissippi State Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Knoxville, TN; South College, Legal/Paralegal Studies and Paralegal Certificate Programs, Knoxville, TN; Texas State University, Legal Studies Program, San Marcos, TX; and Laramie County Community College, Paralegal Program, Cheyenne, WY.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association withdraws the approval of the following paralegal education programs: Georgetown University, Paralegal Studies Program, Washington, DC; and Northern Essex Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Lawrence, MA, at the requests of the institutions.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association extends the terms of approval until the February 2018 Midyear Meeting of the House of Delegates for the following programs: University of Alaska Anchorage, Paralegal Certificate Program, Anchorage, AK; South University, Legal/Paralegal Studies Programs, Montgomery, AL; Pima Community College, Paralegal Program, Tucson, AZ; College of the Canyons, Paralegal Studies Program, Santa Clarita, CA; John F. Kennedy University, Legal Studies Program, Pleasant Hill, CA; Miramar College, Legal Assistant Program, San Diego, CA; MTI College, Paralegal Studies Program, Sacramento, CA; Arapahoe Community College, Paralegal Program, Littleton, CO; University of New Haven Legal Studies Program, West Haven, CT; Wilmington University, Legal Studies Program, New Castle, DE; South University, Legal/Paralegal Studies Programs, Royal Palm Beach, FL; Athens Technical College, Paralegal Studies Program, Athens, GA; Herzing University, Paralegal Studies Program, Atlanta, GA; South University, Legal/Paralegal Studies Programs, Savannah, GA; College of DuPage, Paralegal Studies Program, Glen Ellyn, IL; Illinois State University, Legal Studies Program, Normal, IL; Loyola University Chicago, Institute for Paralegal Studies, Chicago, IL; Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Paralegal Studies Program, Carbondale, IL; Bowling Green Community College of Western Kentucky University, Paralegal Studies Program, Bowling Green, KY; Sullivan University, Institute for Paralegal Studies, Lexington, KY; Herzing University, Legal Assisting/Paralegal Studies Program, Kenner, LA; Elms College, Legal Studies Program, Chicopee, MA; Middlesex Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Bedford, MA; Grand Valley State University, Legal Studies Program, Grand Rapids, MI; Montclair State University, Paralegal Studies Program, Montclair, NJ; Finger Lakes Community College, Paralegal Program, Canandaigua, NY; Fayetteville Technical Community College, Paralegal Technology Program, Fayetteville, NC; Columbus State Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Columbus, OH; Edison Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Piqua, OH; Rose State College, Paralegal Studies Program, Midwest City, OK; Portland Community College, Paralegal Program, Portland, OR; Bucks County Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Newtown, PA; Community College of Philadelphia, Paralegal Studies Program, Philadelphia, PA; Northampton Community College, Paralegal Program, Bethlehem, PA; South University, Legal Studies/Paralegal Studies Programs, Columbia, SC; Brightwood College, fka Kaplan Career College, Paralegal Studies Program, Nashville, TN; Salt Lake Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Salt Lake City, UT; Edmonds Community College, Paralegal Program, Lynnwood, WA; and Western Technical College, Paralegal Program, LaCrosse, WI.



REPORT
In August, 1973, the House of Delegates of the American Bar Association adopted the Guidelines for the Approval of Legal Assistant Education Programs as recommended by the Special Committee on Legal Assistants, now known as the Standing Committee on Paralegals. The Committee subsequently developed supporting evaluative criteria and procedures for seeking American Bar Association approval. Applications for approval were accepted formally beginning in the fall of 1974.
Programs applying for approval are required to submit a self-evaluation report which provides a comprehensive description of the program, including but not limited to the following areas: organization and administration, financial support, curriculum, faculty, admissions, student services, advisory committee, library, and physical plant. An on-site visit to the program is conducted by representatives of the Association if the contents of the self-evaluation report indicate compliance with the ABA Guidelines.
For an initial approval, the inspection team is chaired by a member of the Approval Commission of the Standing Committee on Paralegals, or a specially designated past commissioner, and consists of a lawyer, an experienced paralegal or a director of another institution’s program. On a reapproval visit, the team, which is again chaired by a member of the Approval Commission, or a specially designated past commissioner, includes two of the previously mentioned groups. The purpose of the on-site visit is to verify the information provided in the self-evaluation report and to acquire supplementary information helpful to making an evaluation and which can only be obtained through the person-to-person contact and the observation the visit affords. The visit is conducted over a one and one-half day period and consists of a series of meetings with the advisory committee, students, faculty and other individuals involved to a lesser extent and in some aspect of the program, such as the registrar, financial officer, placement coordinator and admissions and counseling staff. The team also observes legal specialty classes in session and may inspect various program data, such as detailed curriculum materials, admission and placement records, student evaluations of faculty members, and courses.
Following the on-site visit a written report is prepared by team members. The Approval Commission reviews the evaluation report and makes its recommendations to the Standing Committee on Paralegals, which in turn, submits its recommendation to the American Bar Association House of Delegates for final action.
The Standing Committee on Paralegals has completed review of the programs identified below and found them to be operating in compliance with the Guidelines for the Approval of Paralegal Education Programs and is, therefore, recommending that approval be granted.
City College of San Francisco, Paralegal Studies Program, San Francisco, CA

City College of San Francisco is a two-year public community college accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate in Science Degree in Paralegal/Legal Studies and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.


Atlanta Technical College, Paralegal Studies Program, Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Technical College is a two-year public college accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The college offers an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal Studies.


Lewis University, Paralegal Studies Program, Romeoville, IL

Lewis University is a four-year private university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The university offers a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Paralegal Studies and a Bachelor of Arts Degree Minor in Paralegal Studies.


Tulsa Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Tulsa, OK

Tulsa Community College is a two-year public community college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The college offers an Associate of Arts Degree in Paralegal Studies and an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Paralegal Studies.


The following schools were recently evaluated for reapproval. Having demonstrated compliance with the Guidelines for the Approval of Paralegal Education Programs, the Standing Committee on Paralegals recommends that reapproval be granted to the following programs:
Cuyamaca College, Paralegal Studies Program, El Cajon, CA

Cuyamaca College is a two-year public community college accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The college offers an Associate in Science Degree in Paralegal Studies.


San Francisco State University, College of Extended Learning, Paralegal Studies Program, San Francisco CA

San Francisco State University, College of Extended Learning is one of nine independent colleges of San Francisco State University, part of the public California State University system, accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities, Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The college offers a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies.


West Valley College, Paralegal Program, Saratoga, CA

West Valley College is a two-year public community college accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The college offers an Associate of Science Degree in Paralegal and a Certificate.


Norwalk Community College, Legal Assistant Program, Norwalk, CT

Norwalk Community College is a two-year public community college accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The college offers an Associate in Science Degree and a Certificate.


Florida SouthWestern State College, Paralegal Studies Program, Fort Myers, FL

Florida SouthWestern State College is a four-year public college accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The college offers an Associate in Science Degree in Paralegal Studies.


Florida State College at Jacksonville, Paralegal Studies Program, Jacksonville, FL

Florida State College at Jacksonville is a four-year university accredited by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges. The college offers an Associate in Science in Paralegal Studies Degree and an Advanced Technical Certificate.



Morehead State University, Legal Studies Program, Morehead, KY

Morehead State University is a four-year public university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The university offers a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in Legal Studies and a Bachelor of Arts Degree with an Area of Concentration in Legal Studies.


Oakland Community College, Paralegal Program, Farmington Hills, MI

Oakland Community College is a two-year public community college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The college offers an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Paralegal and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate.


Oakland University, Paralegal Program, Rochester, MI

Oakland University is a four-year public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The university offers a Certificate.


Mississippi University for Women, Legal Studies Program, Columbus, MS

Mississippi University is a four-year public university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The university offers a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Legal Studies and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Legal Studies.


Mount St. Joseph University, Paralegal Studies Program, Cincinnati, OH

Mount St. Joseph University is a four-year private university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The university offers a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Paralegal Studies, an Associate in Arts Degree in Paralegal Studies and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.


University of Cincinnati – Clermont College, Paralegal Studies Program, Batavia, OH

University of Cincinnati – Clermont is a four-year public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The university offers an Associate of Applied Business degree in Paralegal Studies and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies.



Pellissippi State Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Knoxville, TN

Pellissippi State Community College is a two-year public community college accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The college offers an Associate of Applied Science Degree.


South College, Legal/Paralegal Studies and Paralegal Certificate Programs, Knoxville, TN

South College is a private four-year college accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The college offers a Bachelor of Science Degree in Legal Studies, a Postsecondary Certificate in Paralegal Studies and an Associate of Science Degree in Paralegal Studies.


Texas State University, Legal Studies Program, San Marcos, TX

Texas State University is a four-year public university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The university offers a Master of Arts Degree in Legal Studies and a post-baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies.


Laramie County Community College, Paralegal Program, Cheyenne, WY

Laramie County Community College is a two-year public community college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The college offers an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal and a post-baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal.


The following programs are recommended for withdrawal of ABA approval, at the request of the institutions:
Georgetown University, Paralegal Studies Program, Washington, DC

Georgetown University is a four-year private university accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The university offers a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.


Northern Essex Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Lawrence, MA

Northern Essex Community College is a two-year public community college accredited by the New England Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Science Degree in Paralegal Studies, with a Transfer Option, an Associate of Science Degree, with a Career Option, and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.


Applications for reapproval have been filed by the following schools and are currently being evaluated. Until the evaluation process has been completed, the Committee recommends that the term of approval for each program be extended until the 2018 Midyear Meeting of the American Bar Association House of Delegates.
University of Alaska Anchorage, Paralegal Certificate Program, Anchorage, AK;

South University, Legal/Paralegal Studies Programs, Montgomery, AL;

Pima Community College, Paralegal Program, Tucson, AZ;

College of the Canyons, Paralegal Studies Program, Santa Clarita, CA;

John F. Kennedy University, Legal Studies Program, Pleasant Hill, CA;

Miramar College, Legal Assistant Program, San Diego, CA;

MTI College, Paralegal Studies Program, Sacramento, CA;

Arapahoe Community College, Paralegal Program, Littleton, CO;

University of New Haven Legal Studies Program, West Haven, CT;

Wilmington University, Legal Studies Program, New Castle, DE;

South University, Legal/Paralegal Studies Programs, Royal Palm Beach, FL;

Athens Technical College, Paralegal Studies Program, Athens, GA;

Herzing University, Paralegal Studies Program, Athens, GA;

South University, Legal/Paralegal Studies Programs, Savannah, GA;

College of DuPage, Paralegal Studies Program, Glen Ellyn, IL;

Illinois State University, Legal Studies Program, Normal, IL;

Loyola University Chicago, Institute for Paralegal Studies, Chicago, IL;

Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Paralegal Studies Program, Carbondale, IL; Bowling Green Community College of Western Kentucky University, Paralegal Studies Program, Bowling Green, KY;

Sullivan University, Institute for Paralegal Studies, Lexington, KY;

Herzing University, Legal Assisting/Paralegal Studies Program, Kenner, LA;

Elms College, Legal Studies Program, Chicopee, MA;

Middlesex Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Bedford, MA;

Grand Valley State University, Legal Studies Program, Grand Rapids, MI;

Montclair State University, Paralegal Studies Program, Montclair, NJ;

Finger Lakes Community College, Paralegal Program, Canandaigua, NY;

Fayetteville Technical Community College, Paralegal Technology Program, Fayetteville, NC;

Columbus State Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Columbus, OH;

Edison Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Piqua, OH;

Rose State College, Paralegal Studies Program, Midwest City, OK;

Portland Community College, Paralegal Program, Portland, OR;

Bucks County Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Newtown, PA;

Community College of Philadelphia, Paralegal Studies Program, Philadelphia, PA; Northampton Community College, Paralegal Program, Bethlehem, PA;

South University, Legal Studies/Paralegal Studies Programs, Columbia, SC;

Brightwood College, fka Kaplan Career College, Paralegal Studies Program,

Nashville, TN;

Salt Lake Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Salt Lake City, UT;

Edmonds Community College, Paralegal Program, Lynnwood, WA; and

Western Technical College, Paralegal Program, LaCrosse, WI.


Respectfully submitted,

Laura Barnard, Chair

Standing Committee on Paralegals

August 2017



GENERAL INFORMATION FORM


Submitting Entity: Standing Committee on Paralegals


Submitted By: Laura C. Barnard, Chair


  1. Summary of Resolution(s).

This Resolution recommends that the House of Delegates grants approval to four programs, grants reapproval to sixteen paralegal education programs, withdraws the approval of two programs at the requests of the institutions, and extends the term of approval to several paralegal education programs.




  1. Approval by Submitting Entity.

May 1, 2017




  1. Has this or a similar resolution been submitted to the House or Board previously?

This resolution has not been previously submitted.




  1. What existing Association policies are relevant to this resolution and how would they be affected by its adoption?

This resolution supports the Guidelines for the Approval of Paralegal Education Programs, as adopted by the House of Delegates.




  1. If this is a late report, what urgency exists which requires action at this meeting of the House?

Action is timely.




  1. Status of Legislation. (If applicable.)

N/A



  1. Brief explanation regarding plans for implementation of the policy, if adopted by the House of Delegates.

Approved programs are notified of the action of the House of Delegates by the Standing Committee on Paralegals. The programs are monitored for compliance during the approval term by the Standing Committee.





  1. Cost to the Association. (Both direct and indirect costs.)

None



  1. Disclosure of Interest. (If applicable.)

N/A



  1. Referrals.

None



  1. Contact Name and Address Information. (Prior to the meeting. Please include name, address, telephone number and e-mail address.)

Peggy C. Wallace

Staff Counsel

Standing Committee on Paralegals

American Bar Association

321 North Clark Street Chicago, IL 60654

(312) 988-5618

E-Mail: peggy.wallace@americanbar.org




  1. Contact Name and Address Information. (Who will present the report to the House? Please include name, address, telephone number, cell phone number and e-mail address.)

Laura C. Barnard

Executive Vice President and Provost

Director, Paralegal Program Lakeland Community College 7700 Clocktower Drive

Kirtland, OH 44094

(440) 525-7096

Cell: (517) 485-3232

E-Mail: lbarnard@lakelandcc.edu


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY



  1. Summary of the Resolution

The Standing Committee on Paralegals resolve(s) that the House of Delegates

grant(s) approval to four programs, grants reapproval to sixteen programs, withdraws the approval of two programs, and extends the term of approval of thirty-nine programs.


  1. Summary of the issue which the Resolution Addresses

The programs recommended for approval and reapproval in the enclosed report meet the Guidelines for the Approval of Paralegal Education Programs. The programs recommended for withdrawal of approval in the enclosed report have requested that approval be withdrawn.




  1. Please Explain How the Proposed Policy Position will address the issue

The programs recommended for approval, reapproval, and withdrawal of approval in this report have followed the procedures required by the Association and are in compliance with the Guidelines for the Approval of Paralegal Education Programs.




  1. Summary of Minority Views

No other positions on this resolution have been taken by other Association entities, affiliated organizations or other interested group.







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