Paralegals in Idaho are an essential part of many law firms and private practices today.
Attorneys would have to conduct many time-consuming tasks without the help of these valuable professionals.
This is a career that requires an immense deal of skills and knowledge, and all of the following schools in Idaho can provide the training that paralegals need.
Lewis-Clark State College
Located in Lewiston and accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, Lewis-Clark State College offers unique associate and bachelor degree programs in paralegal technology. If people would like to learn additional information pertaining to Lewis-Clark’s admissions requirements, they can call the school at – 208-792-5272 or write to the campus at the 500 block of 8th Avenue in Lewiston, Idaho, 83501. There is also helpful information within the college’s website at – http://www.lcsc.edu/.
Those students, whom choose to earn an associate of applied science degree in paralegal studies, must fulfill the following basic education curriculum – Principles of Speech or Interpersonal Communication, College Writing, Mathematics, Human Relations in Organizations, and two Humanities electives.
They must also fulfill the following paralegal-related curriculum – Basic Accounting I, Business Computer Skills, Spreadsheets and Databases, Proofreading, Business Writing, Work-Based Learning/Co-op, Legal Terminology, Legal Support Fundamentals and Ethics, Introduction to Law, Legal Research and Writing I and II, Business Law, Legal Office Procedures, Real Estate Law/Procedures, Criminal Law, Civil Litigation, Advanced Civil Litigation, Wills/Trusts and Estates, Business Organizations, Family Law, Tort Law, Paralegal Internship, Office Procedures, and Word Processing.
North Idaho College
North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene offers a superb associate of applied science degree program in paralegal studies, approved by the American Bar Association and accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. Those students, who would like to earn their paralegal degree from North Idaho, can phone the college at – 208-769-3300 or write to them at the following address – 1000 West Garden Avenue, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, 83814. They may also choose to visit North Idaho’s website at – http://www.nic.edu.
There are several general education classes in the paralegal program, and they are as follows – English Composition, Mathematics, Human Relations or Interpersonal Communications, Introduction to Speech Communication, and two additional General Education electives of the student’s choice.
There are also several business and law-related classes in the paralegal program as follows – Keyboarding I and II, Outlook, Word Processing/Word I through III, Spreadsheets/Excel I, Database/Access I, Computer Fundamentals for Technical Programs, Introduction to the Paralegal Profession and Legal Ethics, Legal Research and Writing I and II, Business Editing and Proofreading, Civil Procedures, Records System Management, Machine Transcription and Document Formatting I and II, Contracts, Torts, Criminal Law, Legal Transcription I and II, Office Skills Capstone, Family Law, and Paralegal Internship I.
Eastern Idaho Technical College
Located in Idaho Falls, Eastern Idaho Technical College has splendid certificate and associate degree programs in legal assisting/paralegal studies, accredited with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Those people in the Idaho Falls district, who would like to apply to Eastern Idaho, can find out the application requirements by calling the college at – 208-524-3000 or by writing to them at the following address – 1600 South 25th East, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 83404. They may also find the requirements online at – http://www.eitc.edu.
If students wish to work towards an associate of applied science degree in legal assisting/paralegal studies, they will need to take the following common studies courses – Keyboarding, Fundamentals of Speech, English Composition, Introduction to American Government, Mathematics in Modern Society or College Algebra, Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Sociology, and Critical Reading and Writing or Technical Communication.
They will also need to take the following law-oriented courses – Leadership I and II, Computer Information Systems, Introduction to Legal Assisting, Legal Terminology, Legal Document Drafting, Business Spreadsheets, Law Office Procedures and Technology, Civil Litigation I and II, Word Processing, Legal Assistant Practices, Basic Legal Research, Advanced Word Processing, Procedures of Bankruptcy Law, Family Law, Internship, Criminal Law, and Business Law.
ITT Technical Institute/Boise
ITT Technical Institute has a vast array of campuses across the US, including one in Boise, Idaho. The Boise campus offers an exemplary associate of science degree program in paralegal technology, accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Those people, who would like to train within ITT Tech, can find out how to apply by calling – 208-322-8844 or by writing to them at – 12302 West Explorer Drive, Boise, Idaho, 83713. They can also converse with a live representative online at – http://www.itt-tech.edu.
For students to earn their associate degree from ITT Tech, they must take the following basic skills classes – Communications, Composition I and II, College Mathematics I, American Government, Problem Solving Theory, and Survey of the Sciences.
They must also take the following program-specific classes – Fundamentals of Criminal Law, Fundamentals of Constitutional Law, Introduction to Paralegal, Research and Writing for the Paralegal I and II, Law Office Technology, Introduction to Civil Litigation, Fundamentals of Tort Law, Fundamentals of Family Law, Fundamentals of Contract Law, Paralegal Capstone, Strategies for the Technical Professional, and at least one additional program-specific elective.
The Benefits of Obtaining Paralegal Certification
After people earn their paralegal certificate or degree, they should then apply for paralegal certification. While Idaho does not require paralegals to be certified, certified paralegals often enjoy many more employment opportunities than do paralegals without certification. The following organizations all offer this distinction to paralegals in Idaho – the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS), the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), and the American Alliance of Paralegals (AAP).
While the only requirement for certification with the AAP is that applicants have several years of work experience in the field, the other three organizations require applicants to pass a written paralegal exam. Applicants, who need to take the exam, will want to study in the main areas of paralegalism including legal terminology, government, litigation, criminal law, civil procedures, legal ethics and family law.
Some terrific resources to find study materials include the NFPA, the NALA, public libraries, court houses, online and employment agencies.