Programs & Areas of Study

Paralegal

This program provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary for competence as a paralegal or legal assistant in a law office or other legal setting. (The terms “paralegal” and “legal assistant” are used interchangeably.) According to the National Association of Legal Assistants, professionals in this field have knowledge and expertise regarding the legal system and substantive and procedural law, which qualify them to do work of a legal nature under the supervision of an attorney.

The primary purpose of National's paralegal program is to educate competent and ethical paralegals. Paralegals, who are also called "legal assistants," are persons who are qualified by education, training or work experience to perform specifically delegated legal work for which a lawyer is responsible. In order to perform legal services a paralegal must be employed or retained by an attorney, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and work under the supervision of an attorney. Paralegals are prohibited by law from offering legal services directly to members of the public.