AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION STANDING COMMITTEE ON PARALEGALS REPORT TO THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES RESOLUTION

Transcription

1 AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION STANDING COMMITTEE ON PARALEGALS REPORT TO THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES RESOLUTION RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association approve the following programs: National American University, Paralegal Studies Program, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN (Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Burnsville, Roseville, and Minnetonka), and Wharton County Junior College, Paralegal Studies Program, Richmond, Wharton, and Sugar Land, TX. FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association reapprove the following paralegal education programs: Gadsden State Community College, Paralegal Program, Gadsden, AL; Phoenix College, Paralegal Studies Program, Phoenix, AZ; Fullerton College, Paralegal Studies Program, Fullerton, CA; University of North Georgia, f/k/a Gainesville State College, Paralegal Studies Program, Gainesville, GA; Elgin Community College, Paralegal Program, Elgin, IL; Harford Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Bel Air, MD; Davenport University, Paralegal Studies Program, Grand Rapids and Lansing, MI; Carteret Community College, Paralegal Technology Program, Morehead City, NC; Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Venango campus, Paralegal Studies Program, Oil City, PA; Duquesne University, Paralegal Institute, Pittsburgh, PA; Gannon University, Legal Assistant Program, Erie, PA; Manor College, Department of Legal Studies, Jenkintown, PA; Pennsylvania College of Technology, Legal Assistant/Paralegal Studies Program, Williamsport, PA; Villanova University, Paralegal Program, Villanova, PA; Roger Williams University, Paralegal Studies Program, Providence, Bristol, and Newport, RI; National American University, Paralegal Studies Program, Rapid City, SD; and Amarillo College, Paralegal Studies Program, Amarillo, TX. FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association withdraw the approval of Cumberland County College, Paralegal Studies Program, Vineland, NJ; Berkeley College New York, Paralegal Studies Program, NY; Lake Erie College, Legal Studies Program, Painesville, OH; and University of Memphis, Paralegal Studies Program, Memphis, TN, at the request of the institutions. FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association extend the terms of approval until the February 2015 Midyear Meeting of the House of Delegates for the following programs: Community College of the Air Force, Paralegal Program, Maxwell AFB, AL; Samford University, Division of Paralegal Studies, Birmingham, AL; University of Arkansas Fort Smith, Legal Assistance/Paralegal Program, Fort Smith, AR; Everest College Phoenix, Paralegal Program, Phoenix, AZ; California State University East Bay, Paralegal Studies Program, Hayward, CA; Coastline Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Fountain Valley, CA; El Camino Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Torrance, CA; Fremont College, Paralegal Studies Program, Cerritos, CA; Pasadena City College, Paralegal Studies Program,

2 Pasadena, CA; Santa Ana College, Paralegal Studies Program, Santa Ana, CA; University of California UCLA Ext, Paralegal Training Program, Los Angeles, CA; University of California Irvine Extension, Paralegal Certificate Program, Irvine, CA; University of California, San Diego, Legal Assistant Training Program, La Jolla, CA; University of California Santa Barbara, Paralegal Professional Certificate Program, Santa Barbara, CA; Nova Southeastern University, Paralegal Studies Program, Fort Lauderdale, FL; Clayton State University, Legal Studies Program, Morrow, GA; Northwestern College, Institute of Legal Studies, Bridgeview, IL; Robert Morris University Chicago, Paralegal Studies Program, Chicago, IL; Robert Morris University Springfield, Paralegal Studies Program, Springfield, IL; Vincennes University, Paralegal Program, Vincennes, IN; Johnson County Community College, Legal Studies Program, Overland Park, KS; Eastern Kentucky University, Paralegal Studies Program, Richmond, IN; Sullivan University, Louisville, Institute for Legal Studies, Louisville, KY; University of Louisville, Paralegal Studies Program, Louisville, KY; Suffolk University, Applied Legal Studies Program, Boston, MA; Stevenson University, Paralegal Program, Owings Mills, MD; Henry Ford Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Dearborn, MI; Madonna University, Paralegal Studies Program, Livonia, MI; Minnesota State University Moorhead, Paralegal Program, Moorhead, MN; North Hennepin Community College, Paralegal Program, Brooklyn Park, MN; Webster University, Legal Studies Program, St. Louis, MO; University of Southern Mississippi, Paralegal Studies Program, Hattiesburg, MS; University of Great Falls, Paralegal Studies Program, Great Falls, MT; University of Montana Missoula, Paralegal Studies Program, Missoula, MT; Pitt Community College, Paralegal Technology Program, Greenville, NC; College of Saint Mary, Paralegal Studies Program, Omaha, NE; Metropolitan Community College, Legal Assistant Program, Omaha, NE; Brookdale Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Lincroft, NJ; Fairleigh Dickinson University, Paralegal Studies Program, Madison, NJ; Mercer County Community College, Paralegal Program, Trenton, University Brooklyn, Paralegal Studies Program, Brooklyn, NY; Bronx Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Bronx, NY; Mercy College, Legal Studies Program, Dobbs Ferry, NY; Nassau Community College, Paralegal Program, Garden City, NY; New York City College of Technology, Paralegal Program, Brooklyn, NY; Queen's College, Paralegal Studies Program, Flushing, NY; St. John s University, Paralegal Studies Program, Jamaica, NY; Capital University Law School, Paralegal Program, Columbus, OH; Cuyahoga Community College, Paralegal Studies/Legal Nurse Consulting Program, Parma, OH; Kent State University, Paralegal Studies Program, Kent, OH; Rhodes State College, Paralegal/Legal Studies Program, Lima, OH; University of Cincinnati, Paralegal Program, Cincinnati, OH; Ursuline College, Legal Studies Program, Pepper Pike, OH; East Central University, Legal Studies Program, Ada, OK; University of Tulsa, Paralegal Studies Program, Tulsa, OK; Central Pennsylvania College, Paralegal Program, Summerdale, PA; Delaware County Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Media, PA; Harrisburg Area Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Harrisburg, PA; Lehigh Carbon Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Schnecksville, PA; Horry-Georgetown Technical College, Legal Assistant/Paralegal Program, Conway, SC; Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, Paralegal Program, Orangeburg, SC; Western Dakota Technical Institute, Paralegal Program, Rapid City, SD; Volunteer State Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Gallatin, TN; Walters State Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Morristown, TN; Kaplan College, General Practice Paralegal Program, Dallas, TX; Lamar State College, Legal Assistant Program, Port Arthur, TX; Marymount University, Paralegal Studies Program, Arlington, VA; Tacoma Community College, Paralegal Program,

3 Tacoma, WA; Spokane Community College, Paralegal Program, Spokane, WA; Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Paralegal Program, Green Bay, WI; Mountwest Community and Technical College, f/k/a Marshall Community and Technical College, Legal Assistant Program, Huntington, WV; and Casper College, Paralegal Studies Program, Casper, WY.

4 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 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. National American University, Paralegal Studies Program, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Burnsville, Roseville, and Minnetonka National American University in Minneapolis/St. Paul (Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Burnsville, Roseville, and Minnetonka) is a four-year university accredited by the North Central 1

5 Association of Colleges and Schools. The university offers a Bachelor of Science degree and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Studies. Wharton County Junior College, Paralegal Studies Program, Richmond, Wharton, and Sugar Land, TX Wharton County Junior College is a two-year college accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of 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: Gadsden State Community College, Paralegal Program, Gadsden, AL Gadsden State Community College is a two-year community college accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Science degree in Paralegal Studies. Phoenix College, Paralegal Studies Program, Phoenix, AZ Phoenix College is a two-year community college accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies. Fullerton College, Paralegal Studies Program, Fullerton, CA Fullerton College is a two-year community college accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The college offers an Associate of Science degree and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies. University of North Georgia, f/k/a Gainesville State College, Paralegal Studies Program, Gainesville, GA University of North Georgia is a four-year university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The university offers a Bachelor of Applied Science degree, an Associate of Applied Science degree, and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies. Elgin Community College, Paralegal Program, Elgin, IL Elgin Community College is a two-year community college accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Studies, a Certificate in Paralegal Studies, and a Certificate in Legal Nurse Consulting. Harford Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Bel Air, MD Harford Community College is a two-year community college accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies. 2

6 Davenport University, Paralegal Studies Program, Grand Rapids and Lansing, MI Davenport University is a four-year university accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The university offers a Bachelor of Science degree, an Associate of Science degree, and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies. 102 Carteret Community College, Paralegal Technology Program, Morehead City, NC Carteret Community College is a two-year community college accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Studies. Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Venango campus, Paralegal Studies Program, Oil City, PA Clarion University of Pennsylvania is a four-year university accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The university offers an Associate of Science degree in Paralegal Studies and a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitative Science, Courts, and Community Services. Duquesne University, Paralegal Institute, Pittsburgh, PA Duquesne University is a four-year university accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The university offers a General Certificate in Paralegal Studies, and Certificates with Concentrations in Civil Litigation, Corporate/Business, Estates Practice, or Litigation Technology. Gannon University, Legal Assistant Program, Erie, PA Gannon University is a four-year university accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The university offers a Bachelor of Arts degree, an Associate of Arts degree, and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies. Manor College, Department of Legal Studies, Jenkintown, PA Manor College is a two-year college accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Science degree, a Certificate in Paralegal Studies and a Certificate in Legal Nurse Consulting. Pennsylvania College of Technology, Legal Assistant/Paralegal Studies Program, Williamsport, PA Pennsylvania College of Technology is a four-year college accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal Studies, and a Certificate in Nurse - Health Care Paralegal Studies. Villanova University, Paralegal Program, Villanova, PA Villanova University is a four-year university accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The university offers a Certificate in Paralegal Studies. Roger Williams University, Paralegal Studies Program, Providence, Bristol, and Newport, RI Roger Williams University is a four-year university accredited by the New England Association of Colleges and Schools. The university offers an Associate of Science degree, a Bachelor of 3

7 Science degree, a Certificate in Paralegal Studies, a Nurse Paralegal Certificate, and a Navy Legalman Accession Program. National American University, Paralegal Studies Program, Rapid City, SD National American University is a four-year university accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The university offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal Studies. Amarillo College, Paralegal Studies Program, Amarillo, TX Amarillo College is a two-year community college accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Applied Science degree 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 2015 Midyear Meeting of the American Bar Association House of Delegates. Community College of the Air Force, Paralegal Program, Maxwell AFB, AL; Samford University, Division of Paralegal Studies, Birmingham, AL; University of Arkansas Fort Smith, Legal Assistance/Paralegal Program, Fort Smith, AR; Everest College Phoenix, Paralegal Program, Phoenix, AZ; California State University East Bay, Paralegal Studies Program, Hayward, CA; Coastline Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Fountain Valley, CA; El Camino Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Torrance, CA; Fremont College, Paralegal Studies Program, Cerritos, CA; Pasadena City College, Paralegal Studies Program, Pasadena, CA; Santa Ana College, Paralegal Studies Program, Santa Ana, CA; University of California UCLA Ext, Paralegal Training Program, Los Angeles, CA; University of California Irvine Extension, Paralegal Certificate Program, Irvine, CA; University of California San Diego, Legal Assistant Training Program, La Jolla, CA; University of California Santa Barbara, Paralegal Professional Certificate Program, Santa Barbara, CA; Nova Southeastern University, Paralegal Studies Program, Fort Lauderdale, FL; Clayton State University, Legal Studies Program, Morrow, GA; Northwestern College, Institute of Legal Studies, Bridgeview, IL; Robert Morris University, Chicago, Paralegal Studies Program, Chicago, IL; Robert Morris University, Springfield, Paralegal Studies Program, Springfield, IL; Vincennes University, Paralegal Program, Vincennes, IN; Johnson County Community College, Legal Studies Program, Overland Park, KS; Eastern Kentucky University, Paralegal Studies Program, Richmond, KY; Sullivan University, Louisville, Institute for Legal Studies, Louisville, KY; University of Louisville, Paralegal Studies Program, Louisville, KY; Suffolk University, Paralegal Studies Program, Boston, MA; Stevenson University, Paralegal Program, Owings Mills, MD; Henry Ford Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Dearborn, MI; 4

8 Madonna University, Paralegal Studies Program, Livonia, MI Minnesota State University Moorhead, Paralegal Program, Moorhead, MN; North Hennepin Community College, Paralegal Program, Brooklyn Park, MN; Webster University, Legal Studies Program, St. Louis, MO; University of Southern Mississippi, Paralegal Studies Program, Hattiesburg, MS; University of Great Falls, Paralegal Studies Program, Great Falls, MT; University of Montana Missoula, Paralegal Studies Program, Missoula, MT; Pitt Community College, Paralegal Technology Program, Greenville, NC; College of Saint Mary, Paralegal Studies Program, Omaha, NE; Metropolitan Community College, Legal Assistant Program, Omaha, NE; Brookdale Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Lincroft, NJ; Fairleigh Dickinson University, Paralegal Studies Program, Madison, NJ; Mercer County Community College, Paralegal Program, Trenton, NJ; Middlesex County College, Legal Studies Department, Edison, NJ; Long Island University Brooklyn, Paralegal Studies Program, Brooklyn, NY; Bronx Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Bronx, NY; Mercy College, Legal Studies Program, Dobbs Ferry, NY; Nassau Community College, Paralegal Program, Garden City, NY; New York City College of Technology, Paralegal Program, Brooklyn, NY; Queen's College, Paralegal Studies Program, Flushing, NY; St. John s University, Paralegal Studies Program, Jamaica, NY; Capital University Law School, Paralegal Program, Columbus, OH; Cuyahoga Community College, Paralegal Studies/Legal Nurse Consulting Program, Parma, OH; Kent State University, Paralegal Studies Program, Kent, OH; Rhodes State College, Paralegal/Legal Studies Program, Lima, OH; University of Cincinnati, Paralegal Program, Cincinnati, OH; Ursuline College, Legal Studies Program, Pepper Pike, OH; East Central University, Legal Studies Program, Ada, OK; University of Tulsa, Paralegal Studies Program, Tulsa, OK; Central Pennsylvania College, Paralegal Program, Summerdale, PA Delaware County Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Media, PA; Harrisburg Area Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Harrisburg, PA; Lehigh Carbon Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Schnecksville, PA; Horry-Georgetown Technical College, Legal Assistant/Paralegal Program, Conway, SC; Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, Paralegal Program, Orangeburg, SC; Western Dakota Technical Institute, Paralegal Program, Rapid City, SD; Volunteer State Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Gallatin, TN; Walters State Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Morristown, TN; Kaplan College, General Practice Paralegal Program, Dallas, TX; Lamar State College, Legal Assistant Program, Port Arthur, TX; Marymount University, Paralegal Studies Program, Arlington, VA; Tacoma Community College, Paralegal Program, Tacoma, WA; Spokane Community College, Paralegal Program, Spokane, WA; Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Paralegal Program, Green Bay, WI. 5

9 Mountwest Community and Technical College f/k/a Marshall Community and Technical College, Legal Assistant Program, Huntington, WV; and Casper College, Paralegal Studies Program, Casper, WY. Respectfully submitted, Deborah Winfrey Keene, Chair Standing Committee on Paralegals August

10 GENERAL INFORMATION FORM Submitting Entity: Submitted By: Standing Committee on Paralegals Deborah Winfrey Keene, Chair 1. Summary of Resolution(s). Resolves that the House of Delegates grants approval to two programs, grants reapproval to seventeen paralegal education programs, withdraws the approval of four programs at the request of the institutions, and extends the term of approval to seventy-three paralegal education programs. 2. Approval by Submitting Entity. April, Has this or a similar resolution been submitted to the House or Board previously? This resolution has not been previously submitted. 4. 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. 5. What urgency exists which requires action at this meeting of the House? Action is timely. 6. Status of Legislation. (If applicable.) N/A 7. 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. 8. Cost to the Association. (Both direct and indirect costs.) None 7

11 9. Disclosure of Interest. (If applicable.) N/A 10. Referrals. None 11. Contact Person. (Prior to the meeting.) Peggy C. Wallace, Staff Counsel Standing Committee on Paralegals American Bar Association 321 North Clark Street Chicago, IL (312) Contact Person. (Who will present the report to the House.) Deborah Winfrey Keene, Chair Director, Paralegal Program, Lansing Community College 3500 W. Public Service Careers P. O. Box Lansing, MI (517) Cell: (517)

12 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. Summary of the Resolution The Standing Committee on Paralegals resolve (s) that the House of Delegates grants approval to two programs, grants reapproval to seventeen programs, withdraws the approval of four programs, and extends the term of approval of seventy-three programs. 2. 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. 3. An explanation of how the proposed policy position Will Address the Issue The programs recommended for approval and reapproval 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. 4. A summary of any minority views or opposition which have been identified No other positions on this resolution have been taken by other Association entities, affiliated organizations or other interested groups. 9