Paralegal Studies
Degrees Available: A.A.S
About the Program
Career Opportunities
Degree Requirements
Admissions Requirement
Degree
Requirements (PDF)
Contact Information
About the Program
The Paralegal Studies program at the UAF Tanana Valley Campus is approved by the American Bar Association.
The objectives of the paralegal studies program are to:
1. Train students for employment as paralegals in law offices, under the supervision of a licensed lawyer, where the paralegal can assist in the economical and efficient delivery of legal services in both the local job market and throughout the United States.
2. Provide opportunities for continuing education and upgrading of existing skills for paralegals already gainfully employed in the local job market.
3. Provide practical law-related courses for UAF students whose main focus is in other law-related areas of study, such as political science and justice.
Upon graduation with a degree in paralegal studies, students will be qualified to perform rudimentary legal research, produce drafts of letters, office memoranda, pleadings, contracts, wills, and similar documents, conduct client and witness interviews, engage in basic fact-finding and investigation, assist in trial preparation and discovery, at all times being cognizant of the ethical responsibilities owed by the supervising lawyer to clients, other lawyers and the court system.
Note: Graduates are not authorized to provide direct legal services to the public. The paralegal studies program provides training for paralegals/legal assistants who are authorized to perform substantive legal work under the supervision of a lawyer. The program does not train lawyers or legal administrators.
Career Opportunities
Many surveys indicate that employment as a paralegal is one of the fastest growing career opportunities in our nation today and that those equipped to enter the legal profession at this level will be on the cutting edge of the job market. Employment opportunities exist both in Alaska and nationwide in private law offices, large and small; in a myriad of government offices and agencies, local, state and federal; and with corporations that retain in-house legal departments.
The paralegal program coordinator, faculty and advisory committee actively assist graduates in locating employment in Fairbanks law and law-related offices through frequent contact with the local lawyers and government offices which make up the local job market. Most Fairbanks law offices use the UAF paralegal studies program as their main source of support staff candidates. Those who seek employment other than in the local legal community will find the UAF program’s approval by the American Bar Association a valuable asset.
Salary levels vary depending on each graduate’s unique background and skills, but average $15.00 to $17.50 an hour for entry level with minimum prior experience. Graduates who already have experience working in a law or law-related field can earn $20.00 an hour in their initial employment following graduation. Those willing to work in small communities in the Alaskan Bush can earn a significantly higher salary. Many employment opportunities offer customary fringe benefit packages in addition to salary.
Degree Requirements
The UAF paralegal studies curriculum will equip students to enter this promising field with an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree built around four separate categories of requirements. First, the general university requirements required of all UAF associate degree students provides a solid background in written communication, an indispensable facet of any paralegal's education, plus courses in oral communications, mathematics, and human relations. Next, the importance of computers in the profession is emphasized by a course that focuses entirely on law-office software. In addition, instruction is offered throughout the curriculum in the use of the Internet and the LexisNexis databases for legal research and fact gathering.
Third, several legal specialty courses, both required and elective, are taught by a faculty of lawyers and practicing paralegals. The major substantive areas of the law are taught through courses in business organizations, civil procedure, contract and real estate law, criminal law, employment law, family law, probate law, and tort law. Instruction in many of these courses is offered by a lawyer-paralegal team in order to emphasize the curriculum’s focus on teaching practical paralegal skills. This focus is furthered by separate required courses entitled “Introduction to Paralegal Skills” and “Advanced Legal Writing.”
Finally, the curriculum is rounded out by three required courses offered by the UAF political science department. The courses provide instruction in American government, judicial process, and constitutional law.Prior to graduation, UAF paralegal students transition from the class room to actual law office and court room experiences through an internship which involves a semester of independent work in a law or law-related office under the supervision of a practicing lawyer.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the program, students should first apply for admission to UAF either online at http://uaonline.alaska.edu and select “Apply for Admission...” or by completing the “Undergraduate Application for Admission” form available from the “Student Services” office in Room 110 of the Tanana Valley Campus Center, 604 Barnette Street, in downtown Fairbanks. There is a $40, non-refundable application fee. Once enrolled as a UAF student, admission to the paralegal program will occur upon completion of ENGL 111, or an equivalent course from another college or university, with a grade of ‘C’ or better. As a paralegal major, you will have an academic advisor who is well-acquainted with the paralegal program. Your advisor will assist you in selecting courses that meet your individual needs and that will complete your degree as quickly as possible.
For more information contact:
Ed Husted, Program Coordinator
Tanana Valley Campus Center
604 Barnette Street
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
email: ffesh@uaf.edu
telephone: (907) 455-2835
fax: (907) 455-2912
Page Last modified: November 19 2008.
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