Spring, 2009 semester for the ICC Paralegal Programs!!!!

What is a Paralegal?
The American Bar Association definition of a Paralegal is as follows: "A legal assistant or paralegal is a person, qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible".

Our Programs
Illinois Central College offers the only American Bar Association approved Paralegal Program options in Central Illinois. The Paralegal Certificate is designed for the student desiring training as a paralegal who has already completed a bachelor's or associate's degree. A bachelor's degree or associate degree from an accredited college or university is required for admission to the program. Students without a two or four-year degree should seek admission to the second option, a two-year curriculum leading to an Associate in Applied Science degree. It includes general education courses as well as law courses and law-related courses. The primary objective of both programs is to produce competent, well-rounded individuals who are able to work under the supervision of an attorney.

Employment, Job Placement, & Graduate Success
While there have been persons fulfilling similar roles as long as there have been lawyers, the modern day paralegal profession is said to have first appeared in the 1960s. It has has grown at a tremendous rate since with over 120,000 Paralegals in the United States today. With quality Paralegal education and training an individual can find employment performing sophisticated legal work under the supervision of a lawyer in many settings, including traditional law offices, corporate legal departments, and various units of local, state and federal government. The occupation continues to gain recognition in Central Illinois. This growth in professional stature is based on the recognition that Paralegals ultimately increase the efficiency of delivering legal services. Properly utilized a well trained Paralegal can be expected to increase firm profits in the same manner as would be expected of an associate lawyer.

We utilize this blawg to post all job opportunities we are made aware of from potential employers, the ICC Career Services office, faculty, graduates or other sources. The Program Director and Faculty also provide employment information to students through Blackboard sites utilized for each program course. Information about employment opportunities obtained by the Program Director or Program Faculty is also shared with and posted by the ICC Career Services office. Students and Graduates are encouraged to register with the Career Services office and utilize the quality services available from Career Services.

Our Graduates are employed by private law firms, corporations, government agencies, insurance companies, title companies, and financial institutions. We stay in contact with and value these folks and the experiences they relate indicate they have enjoyed consistent and satisfactory employment opportunities. They report that we have prepared them well for the positions and tasks they have encountered in post-graduation employment.

Now Accepting New Students for spring 2009!
If you would like to find out more about this program or directions on getting enrolled, please see our Program Website at: http://paralegal.icc.edu/

Or contact Program Coordinator, Michelle D. Weghorst at: (309) 690-7691 or michelle.weghorst@icc.edu.