About Our Programs

With Platt College’s Paralegal programs, you will be trained to seek entry-level employment as Paralegal Assistants in the fast paced, exciting legal industry.

Our programs will give you the training and skills to perform essential legal procedures in a law office setting. You will gain an overall understanding of the legal process and the law practices necessary to be an effective paralegal. You will learn valuable organizational, research, communication, interviewing and investigative, and office management skills.

The U.S. Department of Labor projects employment of paralegals to grow much faster than average, as employers move to reduce costs by hiring paralegals to perform tasks once done by lawyers, and an expanding population increasingly requires legal services.

The Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook also emphasizes that “competition for paralegal jobs should continue, with experienced, formally trained paralegals having the best employment opportunities.

More About the Paralegal Profession

Paralegals—also called legal assistants—perform many of the same tasks as lawyers. Most paralegals work in private law firms, but are also increasingly finding employment in corporate legal departments, insurance companies, real estate and title insurance firms, and banks. In these organizations, they may work in all areas of the law, including litigation, personal injury, corporate law, criminal law, intellectual property, labor law, bankruptcy, immigration, family law, and real estate. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.

As a trained paralegal, your job will involve duties such as:

• Assisting attorneys in preparing cases or trial
• Drafting contracts, mortgages, separation agreements, and trust instruments
• Assist in preparing tax returns and planning estates
• Coordinating the activities of other law office employees
• Maintaining financial office records

Questions and Answers

What kind of training do I need to work as a Paralegal?

Most employers will prefer graduates of formal paralegal programs. It is becoming increasingly important for paralegals to obtain an advanced degree to be competitive in the job market. The more education you get, the more qualified you will be to seek entry-level opportunities, and the more qualified you will be in your job to perform at the highest level.

Platt College can provide you with a solid foundation and advanced degrees to be successful as a Paralegal.

What are the working conditions?

Most paralegals find work in law offices and the justice system and are expected to work typical business office hours, however many Paralegals find that additional hours may be required to meet deadlines. As a Paralegal, you will perform most of your work at a desk in an office setting or at a law library, and you may be required to travel on occasion to perform various job-related duties in courts or other legal and justice facilities..

Platt College can prepare you to work in a legal environment in many different facilities.

What training will I receive?

Platt College has developed a comprehensive curriculum in the Paralegal Studies program that includes lower division courses in: Criminal Law, Research and Writing, Civil Litigation, Contracts, Family Law, Torts, Legal Writing, Legal Terminology, Paralegal Ethics, Computerized Office Environment and Real Estate/Landlord-Tenant Law. Upper division coursework includes: Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning, Criminal Law II / Advanced Trial Procedures, Civil Litigation II, Family Law II, Research and Writing II, Labor Law / Workers’ Compensation, and Intellectual Property. Students are introduced to various legal-related computer programs and online research tools during their courses.

Platt College can give you the training and skills that will prepare you to seek entry-level paralegal positions in many legal and law-related professions.