Paralegals are an essential part of any law firm’s success.
They conduct many, different tasks to assist attorneys, such as researching cases, interviewing clients and writing legal documents.
For people in Missouri to begin careers as paralegals, they must obtain a quality education first.
The following schools in the state offer excellent training to students who want to work in this exciting field.
Metropolitan Community College
Located in Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College has an unbelievable associate of applied science degree program in paralegal technology, accredited by the American Association of Paralegal Education. Those people in the Kansas City district, who would like to learn complete details pertaining to Metropolitan and their programs, can phone them at – 816-604-1000 or write to them at their mailing address – 3200 Broadway, Kansas City, Missouri, 64111. They can also read all about the college and their programs online at – www.mcckc.edu.
The paralegal program at Metropolitan contains a variety of both general education and career-related courses. The general education courses within the program are as follows – Composition and Reading I, one approved History or Political Science elective, General Psychology, Sociology, Fundamentals of Speech, and Mathematics or Science.
The career-related courses included in the program are as follows – Introduction to Criminal Justice, Introduction to Microcomputer Applications, Introduction to Paralegal Practice, Principles of Legal Technology, Criminal Law and Procedures, Legal Research, Legal Writing, Ethics for the Paralegal, Internship in Paralegal Practice, at least four additional law-related electives, and at least two electives in the following areas – Law-Related, Foreign Language, Mathematics or Computer Science.
Missouri Southern State University
Located in Joplin, Missouri Southern State University offers a delightful certificate program in paralegal technology, accredited with the Higher Learning Commission. Prospective paralegals can contact Missouri Southern at – 417-625-9300, or they may write to the campus at – 3950 Newman Road, Joplin, Missouri, 64801. They can also visit the university’s website at – www.mssu.edu/.
The paralegal certificate program at Missouri Southern consists of the following courses – College Composition, Introduction to Microcomputers, Introduction to Legal Assistance, Law Office Management, Legal Research, and at least five of the following courses – Topics in Paralegal Studies, Property, Civil Litigation, Family Law, Wills/Trusts and Probate, Internship (recommended), Senior Seminar, Independent Study, Legal Environment of Business I and II, Law/Society and Judicial Process, International Law, Constitutional Law I and II, Communications Law, Criminal Law, and Labor and Employment Law.
Missouri Western State University
Located in Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University offers spectacular certificate and associate degree programs in legal assistant/paralegal studies, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Those people, who would like to enroll within one of the programs at Missouri Western, can contact the university at – 816-271-4200, or they can write to their general office at – 4525 Downs Drive, Saint Joseph, Missouri, 64507. They can also find the admissions requirements online at – www.missouriwestern.edu/.
Those students, who wish to pursue an associate of science degree in legal assistant/paralegal studies, will need to fulfill the following basic core requirements – College Writing and Research, Contemporary Problem Solving, and American National Government.
They must also fulfill the following law-specific requirements – Introduction to Law, Paralegal Studies, Legal Research, Litigation, Legal Computer Applications, Legal Drafting, Advanced Legal Research, Practicum I, and at least four of the following classes – Real Property, Tort Law, Introduction to Mediation, Criminal Justice and Legal Studies, Probate Law, Domestic Relations, Civil Rights Law, Conflict Management, Selected Legal Topics, Criminal Evidence, Internship, and Business Law I and II.
Saint Louis Community College
Saint Louis Community College offers sensational certificate and associate degree programs in paralegal studies, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Those individuals, who would like to attend the college, can phone them at – 314-644-5522 or write to their main office at – 5600 Oakland Avenue, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63110. They can also find essential information within the college’s website at – www.stlcc.edu.
If students want to earn as associate in applied science/paralegal technology, they must complete several basic education classes as follows – College Composition I and II, American Civilization or American History I or II, Introduction to Economics or Principles of Macroeconomics, Introduction to American Politics or Constitutional Issues, General Psychology or Introduction to Sociology or Human Behavior at Work and in Business, Business Mathematics or other Math, Science, and Physical Education.
They must also complete a variety of law-oriented classes as follows – Business Law I, two Business electives, Introduction to Civil Trial Procedures, Introduction to Law for Paralegals, Computers and the Law, Legal Research, Legal Writing, and one free elective (business-related recommended).
Paralegal students must also complete at least four additional Law-Oriented electives as follows – Wills/Trusts and Probate Administration, Law of Real Estate Transactions and real property, Business Organization and Government Regulation, Family Law, Torts, Advanced Computer Utilization, Employment Law, Advanced Civil Trial Procedures, Workplace Learning: Paralegal, Bankruptcy, Uniform Commercial Code, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure for Paralegals, Advanced On Line-Database Legal Research, Legal Research on the Internet, Evidence, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Environmental Law, Administrative Law, Law Office Administration, and Remedies.
Other Paralegal Schools in Missouri
- Avila University – Kansas City
- Drury University – Springfield
- Maryville University of Saint Louis – Saint Louis
- Park University – Parkville
- Patricia Stevens College – Saint Louis
- Rockhurst University – Kansas City
- Webster University – Saint Louis
- William Woods University – Fulton
Benefits of Paralegal Certification in Missouri
Presently, there are no mandatory requirements pertaining to paralegal certification in Missouri. However, it is beneficial for people to obtain the distinction. Since many employers prefer to have certified employees rather than non-certified ones, certification can significantly broaden people’s employment possibilities. The following organizations provide certification to paralegals whom successfully pass a written paralegal exam.
- The National Association of Legal Assistants
- The National Federation of Paralegal Associations
- The National Association of Legal Secretaries
Some terrific places, where people can find study materials for paralegal exams, include public libraries, court houses, online, employment agencies, the NALA and the NFPA.
Applicants will need to study within the key areas of paralegalism such as civil procedures, legal terminology, litigation, family law, legal ethics, government and criminal law.
Those paralegals, who have at least five years of experience in the sector, can obtain certification from the American Alliance of Paralegals.