New Paralegal Certificate Program offered by UTPA Continuing Education

Texas Border Business

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The demand for paralegal professionals is on the rise as employers seek to hire specialists to fulfill some duties traditionally carried out by attorneys. To address this change in the industry, and to develop more locally trained legal workers, the Office of Continuing Education at The University of Texas-Pan American has introduced a brand new Paralegal Certificate Program to begin April 18. 

“The UTPA Paralegal Certificate Program is an intensive program designed for beginning as well as advanced legal workers,” said Jayshree Bhat, director of UTPA Continuing Education. “Taught by local attorneys and experienced paralegals, this program will help students understand the nuances of the legal firms in the Rio Grande Valley.”

The U.S. Department of Labor says employment in the paralegal profession is expected to increase by 28 percent from 2008 to 2018.

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The UTPA training program provides an overview of the legal system, legal research, legal writing, civil procedure, ethics, criminal law, criminal procedure, and criminal evidence, as well as torts and contracts. Upon completion of this course, participants will hold the credentials to seek paralegal employment in the United States and those with a bachelor’s degree can choose to take the voluntary National Association of Legal Assistants’ exam to be certified legal assistants/paralegals.

Course instruction will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays at the UTPA McAllen Teaching Site, 1800 S. Main St., Suite 1100. The course will end July 11. 

“Classes are held on Saturdays to make it convenient for working professionals to complete the course work without interrupting their current jobs,” Bhat said. 

Continuing Education will host a free information session on Thursday, March 19, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the UTPA McAllen Teaching Site. A course instructor will be available to answer questions about the curriculum and course structure. 

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            To register for this Paralegal Certificate Program, visit www.utpa.edu/ce or call the Office of Continuing Education at (956) 665-2071. Registration for the information session is also available on the website. 

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