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Source: A. David Stewart, 785-532-2580, ads@k-state.edu
Website: http://www.dce.k-state.edu/pro/legal
News release prepared by: Rosanna Vail, 785-532-2720, rvail@k-state.edu
Friday, Feb. 25, 2011
GOING THE DISTANCE: ONLINE PARALEGAL COURSES MEET GROWING WORK FORCE NEEDS
MANHATTAN -- Demand for paralegals is rising and Kansas State University is working to meet the growing need for professionals in the field.
K-State has partnered with the Center for Legal Studies to provide noncredit courses for professionals who need education and training to prepare for paralegal careers. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the paralegal profession will rise 28 percent by 2018.
The center, based in Golden, Colo., provides students with affordable, effective legal education. The online delivery of paralegal courses offered through K-State has helped extend the university's reach to professionals nationwide.
"These nationally acclaimed courses enable K-State to provide a quality resource in work force development for constituents looking for training in legal service areas," said A. David Stewart, assistant dean of continuing education at K-State. "These courses have reached a wide geographical area, and the program offers a flexible and convenient schedule for professionals, with each course being completed in 14 weeks."
To date, 12 professionals have earned a certificate of completion for paralegal courses through K-State since the program's inception last year. Upcoming courses offered in the spring term begin March 7.
Available courses include: Advanced Paralegal, Mediation, Legal Nurse Consultant, Legal Secretary, Legal Investigator, Advanced Legal Research and Writing, and Intellectual Property for Engineers.
"This was an attractive program for us because of its quality and capacity to help prepare students to enter the work force," Stewart said.
More information is available at http://www.dce.k-state.edu/pro/legal or by contacting Charissa Bowditch, program coordinator, at 785-532-2546 or bowditch@k-state.edu.