ABA Approved Paralegal Education Programs
College of Lake County
Paralegal Studies Program
19351 West Washington Street
Grayslake, IL 60030
Director: Gayle E. Miller
Telephone: 847.543.2041
Fax: 847.223.7248
Type of Institution: Public, 2 yr
Degrees Offered: Associate of Applied Science Degree, Post-associate degree Certificate, Post-Baccalaureate degree Certificate
Minimum length of time to complete program: 1 year post degree certificate; 2 year A.A.S
Internships: Elective
For more information: www.Clcillinois.edu/programs/pls
Description: Our 63 credit-hour A.A.S. in Paralegal Studies degree is for students who do not have a previous college degree while our 21 credit-hour Paralegal Studies Certificate is for those who already possess a bachelor's or associate degree. CLC offers many electives that allow students to study specialty areas such as Intellectual Property, Elder Law, Bankruptcy, Business, and Family Law. Day and evening courses are offered in Grayslake and Vernon Hills. CLC students are adult learners who enhance career opportunities through a vibrant student club, student membership in the Lake County Bar Association, and a dedicated faculty of attorneys. More details are at: http://www.clcillinois.edu/depts/pub/CareerPrograms/BUS_Paralegal.pdf.
Elgin Community College
Paralegal Program
1700 Spartan Drive
Elgin, IL 60123
Director: Laurel A. Vietzen
Telephone: 847.214.7466
Fax: 847.214.7361 or 847.888.7995
Type of Institution: Public, 2 yr
Degrees Offered: Associate of Applied Science, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Minimum length of time to complete program: 2 semesters
Internships: Elective
For more information: www.elgin.cc.il.us
Description: We welcome part-time and full-time students with both day and evening classes and are
flexible enough to meet the needs of most students.
Illinois Central College
Paralegal Program
5407 N. University
Cedar Hall 8
East Peoria, IL 61635-0001
Program Coordinator: Michelle D. Weghorst
Telephone: 309.690.7691
Fax: 309.690.6876
Degrees Offered: Associate Degree, Post Degree Certificate
For more information: http://paralegal.icc.edu
Kankakee Community College
Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies Program
100 College Drive
Kankakee, IL 60901
Director: Kristine M. Condon
Telephone: 815.802.8216
Fax: 815.802.8101
Type of Institution: Public, 2 yr
Degrees Offered: Associate in Applied Science; Post-Baccalaureate Advanced Certificate
Minimum length of time to complete program: AAS, 2 yrs; Advanced Certificate, 3 semesters
Internships: Mandatory
For more information: www.kcc.edu
Description: The Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies Program is designed to train professionals who have the writing, thinking, and reasoning skills to effectively contribute to a legal organization. Program graduates may find employment in the judicial system, private law firms, state agencies, legal aid organizations, title insurance companies, corporations, and hospitals with corporate legal departments. The program coordinator has over 20 years of experience as a paralegal and paralegal educator in the judiciary and private practice. Seven adjunct faculty, all attorneys or judges, teach in the program. The program also has a chapter of the LEX National Honor Society in Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies.
Loyola University Chicago
Institute for Paralegal Studies
820 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
Director: Jean Hellman Ryan
Telephone: 312.915.6820
Fax: 312.915.7216
Type of Institution: Private, 4 yr
Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Arts Degree, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Minimum length of time to complete program: 4 eight-week terms (8 months)
Internships: Elective
For more information: www.luc.edu/paralegal
Description: Loyola offers a comprehensive certificate in paralegal studies for persons with bachelor's degrees, as well as a combined B.A. in Management/paralegal certificate option. Twelve courses (24 s.h.) are required for the certificate. Concentrations are offered in Civil Litigation, Corporations, or Real Estate. All students take courses in Legal Research & Writing, Legal Ethics, and Law Office Computer Applications. Electives include Medical Malpractice, Intellectual Property, Securities Regulation, Elder Law, Environmental Law, Employment Law, and Immigration Law. Classes are offered days, evenings, and Saturdays. The Director has over 20 years' experience as a paralegal educator in the Chicago area.
Northwestern College (name change)
Institute for Legal Studies
4811 N. Milwaukee Avenue, No. 205
Chicago, IL 60630
(Chicago, Bridgeview and Naperville locations)
Director: James Higginbotham
Telephone: 773.777.4220
Fax: 773.777.2861
Type of Institution: Proprietary, Freestanding Business/Career College, 2yr.
Degrees Offered: Associate in Applied Science, Certificate in Paralegal Studies
Minimum length of time to complete program: Paralegal-6 quarters, Legal Nurse Consulting-4 quarters
Internships: Mandatory
For more information: www.northwesterncollege.edu/
Description: Research and writing are primary tools of the paralegal
profession. From your first quarter, you will be taught legal
research and writing and how to use multiple legal reference material
located in the campus library and to navigate legal searches online
via Westlaw and LexisNexis. During your final quarter, you will
be an extern, enabling you to apply the skills learned in class
to the workplace and attain a real-world perspective of the law
and a dynamic vision of your future career. Upon completion, you
will be prepared to successfully perform under attorney supervision
a wide range of paralegal tasks.
Robert Morris College
(Chicago and Orland Park Campuses)
Paralegal Studies Program
401 South State Street
Chicago, IL 60605
Telephone: 312.935.6231
FAX: 312.935.6215
Director: Larry P. Nierman
Type of Institution: 4-year private college
Degree offered: Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
For more information: http://www.robertmorris.edu
Robert Morris College
(Springfield Campus)
Paralegal Studies Program
3101 Montvale
Springfield, IL 62704
Telephone: 312.935.6231
FAX: 312.935.6215
Director: Larry P. Nierman
Type of Institution: 4-year private college
Degree offered: Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
For more information: http://www.robertmorris.edu
Rockford Career College (f/k/a Rockford Business College)
Paralegal/Legal Assistant Program
1130 S. Alpine Road; Ste. 100
Rockford, IL 61108
Telephone: 815.965.8616
FAX: 815.965.0360
Director: Pamela Gibson
Type of Institution: Proprietary Business College
Degree offered: Associate in Applied Science Degrees
For more information: http://www.rockfordbusinesscollege.edu
Roosevelt University
Paralegal Studies Program
430 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605
Director: Carrie J. Lausen
Telephone: 312.281.3300
Fax: 312.281.3188
Type of Institution: Private, 4 yr
Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Professional Studies,
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Minimum length of time to complete program: 4.5 months for students
eligible for post-baccalaureate certificate
Internships: Elective
For more information: www.roosevelt.edu/paralegal
Description: The Paralegal Studies Program at Roosevelt University, located in Chicago, Illinois, is designed for those who wish to pursue careers in the legal profession. A post-baccalaureate certificate is offered for those students holding a bachelor's degree, and two bachelor degree options are available for Roosevelt University undergraduate students interested in pursuing a bachelor's degree and paralegal certificate combined. Our classes are taught by experienced attorneys and paralegals and offer practical, hands-on legal training. For more than 10,000 alumni working in law, government and business, the Paralegal Studies at Roosevelt University has been the paralegal program of choice.
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Paralegal Studies Program
1000 Faner Drive
Mailcode 4540
Carbondale, IL 62901-4540
Director: Carolyn B. Smoot, J.D.
Telephone: 618.453.1230
Fax: 618.453.1233
Type of Institution: Public, 4 yr
Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Science Degree
Minimum length of time to complete program: 120 hours; 60 hours if transferring with an AS or AA degree; 30 hours if transferring from a four-year institution with the required 90 hours completed
Internships: Mandatory for general paralegal focus, Elective for pre-law specialization
For more information: www.siu.edu/~para/
Description: Established in 1983, SIU's Paralegal Studies Program follows the ABA curriculum for Paralegals and offers the only ABA-approved Bachelor of Science degree for paralegal studies in Illinois. Paralegals perform legal research, client/witness interviews, document preparation, and other related tasks. The SIU Paralegal Studies program permits a choice between focusing on a general paralegal career or a pre-law specialization. Students who choose the career can look forward to employment security superior to most existing jobs. Students who choose the pre-law specialization receive an excellent education in preparation for law school and thereafter the practice of law. Paralegal Studies courses include civil procedure, estates and trusts, torts, criminal law, family law, bankruptcy, legal forms, and internships with local law firms. All our instructors hold Juris Doctor degrees and are practicing attorneys.
South Suburban College
Paralegal/Legal Assistant Program
15800 South State Street
South Holland, IL 60473
Director: William D. Goren
Telephone: 708.596.2000 (Ext. 5807)
Fax: 708.225.5860
Type of Institution: Public, 2 yr
Degrees Offered: Associate of Applied Science, Post Degree Certificate
Minimum length of time to complete program: 1-2 academic years
Internships: Mandatory
For more information: www.southsuburbancollege.edu
Description: South Suburban College's paralegal program is designed to provide the student with practical as well as theoretical knowledge of courses to prepare him or her to be a legal assistant who can work in a variety of legal settings. For maximum flexibility, South Suburban College offers classes in daytime, evening, or in an online format. All classes are taught by licensed attorneys who are specialists in their fields and who have extensive experience working with paralegals in the workplace. Two semesters of Legal Research and Writing classes are required, and students are assigned their own individual Westlaw passwords so they can become skilled in online research techniques. Nine program electives are offered, including Family Law, Real Property Law, and Elder Law, which was added to the curriculum for the 2006-2007 academic calendar.
William Rainey Harper College
Paralegal Studies
1200 West Algonquin Road
Palatine, IL 60014
Telephone: 847.925.6407
Fax: 847.925.6043
Director: Paul D. Guymon
Type of Institution: Public, 2 yr
Degrees Offered: Associate of Applied Science, Post Degree Certificate
for individuals who possess a bachelor or associate degree
Minimum length of time to complete program: 1-2 academic years
Internships: Mandatory
For more information: www.harpercollege.edu/catalog/career/para/index.htm
Description:AAS Paralegal Studies—The 63 credit-hour
associate degree program is designed to prepare men and women
as technically qualified assistants to a lawyer. Under supervision
of a lawyer, the paralegal may perform such functions as legal
research, investigation, detail work with regard to probate matters,
preparation of tax forms and returns, searching public and court
records, office management, library service, bookkeeping, serving
and filing legal documents, and preparing legal forms.
Paralegal Studies Certificate—This 21 credit hour certificate
program is designed for those individuals who already possess
a bachelor's or associate degree. The various choices available
allow the student to develop special interests and skills.
