AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION ADOPTED BY THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES FEBRUARY 14, 2011 RESOLUTION RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association grant approval to Los Angeles City College, Paralegal Program, Los Angeles, CA; Wilbur Wright College, Paralegal Program, Chicago, IL; Union County College, Paralegal Studies Program, Cranford, NJ; Pioneer Pacific College, Paralegal/Legal Assisting Program, Wilsonville and Clackamas, OR; and National American University, Paralegal Studies Program, Sioux Falls, SD. FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association reapprove the following paralegal education programs: University of Alaska Anchorage, Paralegal Studies Certificate Program, Anchorage, AK; University of Arkansas Fort Smith, Legal Assistance/Paralegal Program, Fort Smith, AR; Pima Community College, Paralegal Program, Tucson, AZ; Santa Ana College, Paralegal Program, Santa Ana, CA; University of California Irvine Ext, Paralegal Certificate Program, Irvine, CA; West Valley College, Paralegal Program, Saratoga, CA; Arapahoe Community College, Paralegal Program, Littleton, CO; Broward College, Legal Assisting Program, Pembroke Pines, FL; Edison State College, Paralegal Studies Program, Fort Myers, FL; Athens Technical College, Paralegal Studies Program, Athens, GA; Loyola University Chicago, Institute for Paralegal Studies, Chicago, IL; Roosevelt University, Paralegal Studies Program, Chicago, IL; Southern Illinois University, Paralegal Studies Program, Carbondale, IL; William Rainey Harper College, Paralegal Studies Program, Palatine, IL; Daymar College Owensboro Campus, Paralegal Studies Program, Owensboro, KY; Sullivan University Lexington Campus, Institute for Legal Studies, Lexington, KY; Herzing University, Legal Assisting/Paralegal Studies Program, Kenner, LA; Pellissippi State Technical Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Knoxville, TN; South College, Paralegal Education Program, Knoxville, TN; and Texas State University, Legal Studies Program, San Marcos, TX. FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association withdraw the approval of the University of New Orleans, Paralegal Studies Program, New Orleans, LA, and Chancellor University fka David N. Myers University, Paralegal Education Program, Cleveland, OH at the request of the institutions. FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association extend the terms of approval until the August 2011 Annual Meeting of the House of Delegates for the following programs: Faulkner University, Legal Studies Program, Montgomery, AL; South University, Paralegal/Legal Studies Program, Montgomery, AL; Cuyamaca College, Paralegal Studies Program, El Cajon, CA; MTI College, Paralegal Studies Program, Sacramento, CA; San
Francisco State University, Paralegal Studies Program, San Francisco, CA; Georgetown University, Paralegal Studies Program, Washington, DC; Florida State College at Jacksonville, Legal Studies Institute, Jacksonville, FL; St. Petersburg College, Paralegal Studies Program, Clearwater, FL; South University, Paralegal/Legal Studies Program, Savannah, GA; Morehead State University, Paralegal Program, Morehead, KY; Lake Superior State University, Legal Assistant Studies Program, Sault Ste. Marie, MI; Mississippi University for Women, Paralegal Studies Program, Columbus, MS; Central Piedmont Community College, Cato Campus, Paralegal Studies Program, Charlotte, NC; Fayetteville Technical Community College, Paralegal Technology Program, Fayetteville, NC; Montclair State University, Paralegal Studies Program, Upper Montclair, NJ; Finger Lakes Community College, Paralegal Program, Canandaigua, NY; Monroe Community College, Legal Assistant Program, Rochester, NY; SUNY Rockland Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Suffern, NY; College of Mount St. Joseph, Paralegal Studies Program, Cincinnati, OH; Columbus State Community College, Legal Assisting Program, Columbus, OH; Bucks County Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Newtown, PA; Northampton Community College, Paralegal Program, Bethlehem, PA; South University, Paralegal/Legal Studies Program, Columbia, SC; University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Legal Assistant Studies Program, Chattanooga, TN; and Lee College, Legal Assistant Program, Baytown, TX. 2
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 formally accepted 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 and/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, is a two-member visitation team and 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 an evaluation 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. Los Angeles City College, Paralegal Program, Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles City College is a two-year community college accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The college offers an Associate of Arts degree in Paralegal. Wilbur Wright College, Paralegal Program, Chicago, IL Wilbur Wright 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. Union County College, Paralegal Studies Program, Cranford, NJ Union County 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 in Paralegal Studies and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies. Pioneer Pacific College, Paralegal/Legal Assisting Program, Wilsonville and Clackamas, OR Pioneer Pacific College is a two-year career college accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Arts degree in Legal Assisting. National American University, Paralegal Studies Program, Sioux Falls, SD National American University, Sioux Falls campus 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. 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: University of Alaska Anchorage, Paralegal Studies Certificate Program, Anchorage, AK University of Alaska Anchorage is a four-year university accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. The university offers a Certificate in Paralegal Studies. University of Arkansas Fort Smith, Legal Assistance/Paralegal Program, Fort Smith, AR University of Arkansas Fort Smith is a four-year university accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The university offers an Associate of Applied Science degree. 2
Pima Community College, Paralegal Program, Tucson, AZ Pima 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 and a Certificate in Paralegal. Santa Ana College, Paralegal Program, Santa Ana, CA Santa Ana College is a two-year community college accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The college offers an Associate of Arts degree and a Paralegal Certificate. University of California Irvine Ext, Paralegal Certificate Program, Irvine, CA University of California Irvine is a four-year university accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The university offers a Paralegal Certificate. West Valley College, Paralegal Program, Saratoga, CA West Valley College is a two-year community college accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The program offers an Associate of Science degree and a Paralegal Certificate. Arapahoe Community College, Paralegal Program, Littleton, CO Arapahoe 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 and a Paralegal Certificate. Broward College, Legal Assisting Program, Pembroke Pines, FL Broward 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 Legal Assisting. Edison State College, Paralegal Studies Program, Fort Myers, FL Edison State 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. Athens Technical College, Paralegal Studies Program, Athens, GA Athens Technical College is a two-year technical college accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate degree in Paralegal Studies. Loyola University Chicago, Institute for Paralegal Studies, Chicago, IL Loyola University Chicago is a four-year university accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The university offers a Certificate in Paralegal Studies. Roosevelt University, Paralegal Studies Program, Chicago, IL Roosevelt University is a four-year university accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The university offers a Bachelor of Professional Studies degree with a Major in Paralegal Studies, and a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Paralegal Certificate. 3
Southern Illinois University, Paralegal Studies Program, Carbondale, IL Southern Illinois University is a four-year university accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The university offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal Studies General Paralegal, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal Studies Pre-Law Specialization. William Rainey Harper College, Paralegal Studies Program, Palatine, IL William Rainey Harper 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 Paralegal Certificate. Daymar College Owensboro Campus, Paralegal Studies Program, Owensboro, KY Daymar College is a four-year business college accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. The program offers an Associate of Science degree. Sullivan University Lexington Campus, Institute for Legal Studies, Lexington, KY Sullivan University Lexington Campus is a four-year university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The university offers an Associate of Science degree, a Bachelor of Science degree, and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies. Herzing University, Legal Assisting/Paralegal Studies Program, Kenner, LA Herzing University is a four-year university accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The university offers an Associate of Science degree in Paralegal Studies and a Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Studies. Pellissippi State Technical Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Knoxville, TN Pellissippi State Technical 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. South College, Paralegal Education Program, Knoxville, TN South College is a four-year college accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Science degree and a Bachelor of Science degree. Texas State University, Legal Studies Program, San Marcos, TX Texas State University is a four-year university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The university offers a Master of Arts degree and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies. The Standing Committee on Paralegals recommends that the approval of the University of New Orleans, Paralegal Studies Program, New Orleans, LA, and Chancellor University, Paralegal Education Program, Cleveland, OH, be withdrawn at the request of the institutions, as of the adjournment of the February 2011 Midyear Meeting of the House of Delegates. 4
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 August 2011 Annual Meeting of the American Bar Association House of Delegates. Faulkner University, Legal Studies Program, Montgomery, AL; South University, Paralegal/Legal Studies Program, Montgomery, AL; Cuyamaca College, Paralegal Studies Program, El Cajon, CA; MTI College, Paralegal Studies Program, Sacramento, CA; San Francisco State University, Paralegal Studies Program, San Francisco, CA; Georgetown University, Paralegal Studies Program, Washington, DC; Florida State College at Jacksonville, Legal Studies Institute, Jacksonville, FL; St. Petersburg College, Paralegal Studies Program, Clearwater, FL South University, Paralegal/Legal Studies Program, Savannah, GA; Morehead State University, Paralegal Program, Morehead, KY; Lake Superior State University, Legal Assistant Studies Program, Sault Ste. Marie, MI; Mississippi University for Women, Paralegal Studies Program, Columbus, MS; Central Piedmont Community College, Cato Campus, Paralegal Studies Program, Charlotte, NC; Fayetteville Technical Community College, Paralegal Technology Program, Fayetteville, NC; Montclair State University, Paralegal Studies Program, Upper Montclair, NJ; Finger Lakes Community College, Paralegal Program, Canandaigua, NY; Monroe Community College, Legal Assistant Program, Rochester, NY; SUNY Rockland Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Suffern, NY; College of Mount St. Joseph, Paralegal Studies Program, Cincinnati, OH; Columbus State Community College, Legal Assisting Program, Columbus, OH; Bucks County Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Newtown, PA; Northampton Community College, Paralegal Program, Bethlehem, PA; South University, Paralegal/Legal Studies Program, Columbia, SC; University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Legal Assistant Studies Program, Chattanooga, TN; and Lee College, Legal Assistant Program, Baytown, TX. Respectfully submitted, Larry C. Hunter, Chair February 2011 5
GENERAL INFORMATION FORM Submitting Entity: Submitted By: Standing Committee on Paralegals Larry C. Hunter, Chair 1. Summary of Recommendation(s). Recommends that the House of Delegates grant approval and reapproval to several paralegal education programs, withdraw the approval of two programs at the request of the institutions, and extend the term of approval to several paralegal education programs. 2. Approval by Submitting Entity. November 13, 2010 3. Has this or a similar recommendation been submitted to the House or Board previously? This recommendation has not been previously submitted. 4. What existing Association policies are relevant to this recommendation and how would they be affected by its adoption? This recommendation 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. Cost to the Association. (Both direct and indirect costs.) None 8. Disclosure of Interest. (If applicable.) N/A 6
9. Referrals. 106 None 10. Contact Person. (Prior to the meeting.) Peggy C. Wallace, Staff Counsel Standing Committee on Paralegals American Bar Association 321 North Clark Street Chicago, IL 60654 (312) 988-5618 11. Contact Person. (Who will present the report to the House.) Larry C. Hunter, Chair Moffatt Thomas Barrett Rock & Fields, Chtd. 101 S. Capitol Blvd., 10 th Floor PO Box 829 Boise, ID 83701-0829 (208) 345-2000 7
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. Summary of the Recommendation(s) The Standing Committee on Paralegals recommends that the House of Delegates grant approval to five paralegal education program, grant reapproval to twenty programs, withdraw the approval of two programs, and extend the term of approval of twenty-five programs. 2. Summary of the Issue which the Recommendation(s) Address 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 recommendation have been taken by other Association entities, affiliated organizations or other interested groups. 8