Source: Tony Ballard, 785-532-2402, tballard@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. 24, 2012
Legal learning: Online paralegal certificate course begins March 5
MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University is making it easy for professionals interested a paralegal career to earn a paralegal certificate online.
Beginning March 5, a 14-week paralegal certificate course is being offered through the university in partnership with the Center for Legal Studies. Through the partnership, the Colorado company provides students with affordable and effective legal education.
The course prepares students for careers in the growing field of paralegal services. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' projections, the number of paralegal positions will be 28 percent higher by 2018 than it was a decade earlier, a growth rate that is much faster than the national average for all occupations. The national median earnings for paralegals is currently $44,480, and freelance paralegal professionals can earn significantly more.
The Center for Legal Studies has offered courses in conjunction with more than 1,000 colleges and universities nationwide through live lecture, online, DVD and text-only formats. Students who complete the certificate course will receive their certificate from Kansas State University, providing credibility when presenting the certificate to prospective employers.
"We have partnered with the Center for Legal Studies to offer these courses because of their value to those wishing to enter the growing job market in paralegal services. The skills learned are also very valuable in other job areas or fields," said Dave Stewart, associate dean of continuing education at Kansas State University.
The cost of the course is $1,189. Additional courses offered through K-State and the Center for Legal Studies range from $575 to $1,650 and include advanced legal research and writing, advanced paralegal, intellectual property law for engineers, legal investigation, legal nurse consultant, legal secretary and mediation. Each course is offered online, with several courses also offered via DVD and text-only format.
To learn more, visit http://www.dce.k-state.edu/pro/legal or contact Tony Ballard, coordinator, at 785-532-2402 or tballard@k-state.edu. More information about the Center for Legal Studies can be found at http://www.legalstudies.com.
