NCJ Number
59583
Journal
MISSOURI BAR JOURNAL Volume: 33 Dated: (OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1977) Pages: 432-436
Date Published
1977
Length
5 pages
Annotation
A DETAILED REVIEW OF THE LEGAL ASSISTANT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM AT ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE AT MERAMEC, MO., LEADS INTO A BRIEF DISCUSSION OF THE NUMBER OF SIMILAR PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE NATION.
Abstract
THE NEED FOR LEGAL ASSISTANT TRAINING HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AND RESPONDED TO ENTHUSIASTICALLY BY MANY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS SINCE 1969. IN COOPERATION WITH THE BAR ASSOCIATION OF METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS, A COLLEGE-LEVEL CURRICULUM FOR LEGAL ASSISTANTS WAS DEVELOPED AND OFFERED AT ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE AT MERAMEC IN 1969. IT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST PROGRAMS OFFERED AT A 2-YEAR COLLEGE. THE FEASIBILITY OF SUCH A PROGRAM WAS CONFIRMED BY A SURVEY OF 443 LOCAL ATTORNEYS WHICH SHOWED THAT OVER HALF PERCEIVED A NEED FOR SUCH PROGRAMS AND INDICATED THAT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE SCHOOL OFFERS BOTH A CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY AND 2-YEAR ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN APPLIED SCIENCE. THE 10-COURSE ASSOCIATE DEGREE CURRICULA INCLUDES COMMUNICATIONS, SOCIAL SCIENCE, BUSINESS, LEGAL TECHNOLOGY, MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE, AND ELECTIVE CLASSES FOCUSING ON SPECIFIC LEGAL CONCEPTS. THE EMPHASIS IS TO PREPARE STUDENTS TO DO PARALEGAL WORK IN THE AREAS OF LITIGATION, ESTATE ADMINISTRATION, INCOME TAX, CORPORATE LAW, REAL ESTATE, AND LEGAL RESEARCH. AN ADVISORY BOARD, INCLUDING MEMBERS FROM THE LOCAL BAR, CONSTANTLY REVIEW AND REVISE THE CURRICULUM. ABOUT 200 ARE ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM AND AT LEAST 846 HAVE TAKEN 1 COURSE IN THE PROGRAM. APPROXIMATELY 59 PERCENT OF THE GRADUATES ARE NOW WORKING IN LAW-RELATED POSITIONS. AN INCREASING NUMBER OF MEN ARE ENROLLING AND A WIDE AGE DIVERSITY IS REPRESENTED. AN ESTIMATED 30 SCHOOLS IN THE STATE AND APPROXIMATELY 200 SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE NATION OFFER SIMILAR PROGRAMS. AS THESE PROGRAMS CONTINUE TO GROW, CAREFUL ATTENTION MUST BE PAID TO JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND THE TYPE OF TRAINING NEEDED. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (KCP)