For people in South Dakota to become paralegals, they must be able to pay attention to small details, and they must have all of the knowledge that is necessary for the field.
Paralegals earn an excellent salary without training for many years as attorneys need to do.
There are several schools in South Dakota that offer training in the field, and the following institutions are some of the best.
National American University/Rapid City
National American University has a vast array of campuses within the US, including one in Rapid City, South Dakota. The Rapid City campus offers splendid associate and bachelor degree programs in paralegal studies, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Those students in the Rapid City district, who would like to attend National American, can phone the university at – 605-394-4800 or write to them at – 321 Kansas City Street, Rapid City, South Dakota, 57701. They can also read about both of these programs online at – www.national.edu.
Those students, who choose to earn an associate of applied science degree in paralegal studies, will need to complete the following liberal arts curriculum – Composition I and II, Career Management, Speech or Interpersonal Business Communications, Strategies for Success, one Science elective, one Algebra elective, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, and Computer Literacy.
They will also need to complete the following paralegal-specific curriculum – Introduction to Legal Principles, Legal Research I and II, Torts, Domestic Relations or Criminal Procedure, Civil Procedure, Legal Writing, Real Property or Wills/Trusts and Probate, Professional Ethics and Law Office Procedures, Paralegal Internship, CLA Review, Accounting for Managers, and Business Law.
National American University/Sioux Falls
National American University has several campuses across the US, with one located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Sioux Falls campus offers exemplary associate and bachelor degree programs in paralegal studies, accredited with the Higher Learning Commission. Those individuals, who would like to learn additional details pertaining to the paralegal programs, can call National American at – 605-336-4600, or they can write to the Sioux Falls campus at – 5801 South Corporate Place, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57108. They can also find the programs within the university’s website at – www.national.edu.
Students, who choose to work towards a bachelor of science degree in paralegal studies, will need to take several liberal education courses as follows – Macroeconomics, Career Management, Composition I and II, College Algebra, two Science electives, Strategies for Success, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, one Humanities elective, three Behavioral/Social Science electives, Business Statistics, Speech or Interpersonal Business Communications, Computer Literacy, and one additional liberal education elective.
They will also need to take several paralegal-specific courses as follows – Introduction to Legal Principles, Legal Research I and II, Torts, Domestic Relations, Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, Legal Writing, Law Office Technology, Real Property, Professional Ethics and Law Office Procedures, Paralegal Internship, CLA Review, Accounting for Managers, Business Law, Medical Terminology, Principles of Management, Human Resource Management, Employment Law, and at least five additional paralegal or business electives.
Western Dakota Tech
Located in Rapid City, Western Dakota Tech offers an excellent associate in applied science/paralegal degree program, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Those students in the Rapid City area, who would like to apply to Western Dakota, can call the school’s information desk at – 605-394-4034, or they can write to the following address – 800 Mickelson Drive, Rapid City, South Dakota, 57703. They can also find the application requirements online at – www.wdt.edu/.
For students to obtain their associate degree from Western Dakota, they must take the following common studies classes – Principles of Economics or Introduction to Sociology, Composition, Intermediate Algebra, Orientation, General Psychology, Fundamentals of Speech, Critical Thinking, and Microcomputers Software Applications I or II.
They must also take the following career-oriented classes – Principles of Accounting I, Introduction to Paralegalism, Real Property, Criminal Law, Torts, Contracts, Legal Research and Writing I and II, American Legal System and Constitutional Law, Litigation and Civil Procedures, Law of Business Organizations, Evidence, Family Law, Litigation Clinic I and II, and Internship.
Globe University
Globe University has several campuses within the United States, including one in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Sioux Falls campus offers outstanding certificate and degree programs in paralegal studies, accredited by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation. Those people, who would like to study within Globe, can call them at – 877-303-6060 or write to them at the following address – 5101 South Broadband Lane, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57108. They can also find the programs online at – www.globeuniversity.edu.
If students wish to pursue an associate in applied science/paralegal degree, they must complete the following common studies courses – three Communications electives, two Humanities electives, Natural Science course, Mathematics, Career Development, Introduction to Computer Literacy, Business Communications, and three Social Science electives.
They must also complete the following law-oriented courses – Microsoft Office Applications I, Keyboarding I, Legal Terminology, Family Law, Introduction to Paralegal Studies, Ethics for the Law Office, Legal Research I, Real Estate, Torts, Legal Writing I, Criminal Law and Procedure, Litigation I, Law Office Procedures and Technology, Contracts, Paralegal Internship, Probate Practice, and Bankruptcy.
Obtaining Paralegal Certification in South Dakota
Although South Dakota does not require paralegals to be certified, there are many benefits to possessing this distinction. Not only do certified paralegals enjoy many more employment opportunities than do non-certified paralegals, but they also enjoy more raises and promotions, as well. There are presently four associations that provide paralegals with certification if they meet their requirements, and these organizations are as follows.
1. The American Alliance of Paralegals – This organization requires applicants to have worked within the paralegal sector for no less than five years.
2. The National Federation of Paralegal Associations – This organization requires applicants to pass a paralegal exam, and they offer useful study materials, as well.
3. The National Association of Legal Secretaries – This is another organization that requires applicants to complete a written examination.
4. 0The National Association of Legal Assistants – This organization also requires applicants to take a written test, and they offer several helpful study guides.