Paralegals have growing career options
In 2006, the International Career Institute became the first distance learning institution to offer a paralegal course and has since become the education option of choice for many employers looking to upskill their own staff.
The three levels of study would-be paralegals can choose from – Certificate level, Diploma level and Advanced Diploma level – were developed in consultation with employers. Each program of study provides graduates with the practical knowledge they need to hit the ground running.
“In many cases we identified common themes and created a particular emphasis on the day-to-day operations of a law office and type of skills staff would be expected to posses,” he says.
The International Career Institute uses quarterly surveys to track the employment success of graduates.
“Our last quarterly survey showed 86 per cent of our graduates found employment while in the past year 91 per cent have successfully found a direct or related role within the legal services sector,” says Mr Tiogson.
“It is not uncommon to have students re-enrol and upgrade to a higher level to further enhance their knowledge and credentials as they develop their careers,” he says.
Those enrolling in the paralegal courses range from school leavers to career switchers, law students wanting to get a jump on work experience before graduation to those already working in the legal sector. The International Career Institute paralegal course also attracts those who had considered a legal secretary course but preferred the greater skillset offered by the paralegal course.
The International Career Institute’s study options are designed to be “very flexible” in terms of the time demands. Students decide how much time they have to dedicate to studies and could choose an hour a week or an hour a day. “We found that many prospective students already held jobs in administration such as executive secretarial roles and simply did not have the time to travel and attend timetabled classes at college,” explains Mr Tiogson.
“The courses we offer are vocational courses and unlike university studies are dedicated to the practical rather than theory. We don’t use essays as an assessment tool but rather have students apply concepts, responses and draft documentation using a variety of scenarios,” he says.
Students undertaking the paralegal course are well supported with access to a tutor once they enrol who remains available to that student throughout the study week. A tutor’s role is to provide encouragement to students, respond to any course questions they have and to assess student assignment submissions.
“Students can also call on our friendly student services team at any time,” Mr Tiogson adds.
Three levels of paralegal study:
- Certificate
- Diploma
- Advanced Diploma
For more information please visit the Paralegal Course page at the International Career Institute.
