Unique UC Irvine Extension Paralegal Certificate Program Begins Spring/Summer Sessions

Leading Southern California Program is Designed to Give a Broad Perspective of the Paralegal Profession Combined with Practical Skills Needed For a Successful Paralegal Career

IRVINE, Calif. – March 3, 2005 – UC Irvine Extension has announced its Paralegal Certificate Program spring/summer session. Now in its 28th year, the Paralegal Certificate Program has long been recognized and respected as a premier provider of ABA-approved paralegal education in Southern California, by offering a university-level certification program in this rapidly growing field. According to County of Orange Occupational Outlook, in Orange County the paralegal profession is the sixth fastest growing occupation, with a projected growth of 50% by 2006.

Due to the popularity of UC Irvine Extension’s Paralegal Certificate program two unique classes will be offered for the summer session; Practical Applications of Civil Litigation: Mock Trial, and Overview of Law Office Administration. The Overview of Law Office Administration class is a hands-on survey course where students will learn about the responsibilities of a law office manager including topics such as workflow management, team building, leadership, effective communication, and human resource requirements. The Practical Applications of Civil Litigation class will give students the opportunity to obtain exposure to actual entry level litigation assignments before they graduate. The class is designed as a mock trial in which students will work on a case from start to finish.

According to the Employment Development Department, California’s paralegal profession is projected to grow by 68% by year 2008. The need for paralegals to acquire knowledge and real world skills has become a crucial aspect of remaining competitive, continuing to advance, and excelling professionally in today’s legal job market.

"UC Irvine Extension’s program has been the model for excellence in this field in Southern California for more than 20 years," says Gary Gorczyca, Esq., attorney at law. "It continues to maintain the highest standards for admission and education and its graduates are clearly the top choice among prospective employers."

The Paralegal Certificate Program’s curriculum aims to balance workplace application and theory so students can acquire knowledge and real-world skills needed for success as a paralegal. Students develop legal research and writing skills, improve computer literacy, improve reasoning and analytical skills, and gain a basic understanding of procedural and substantive law. Courses also explore the framework of the legal system, ethics, and the roles and responsibilities of the paralegal. An internship component provides additional opportunities for those seeking to supplement their education with practical experience.

Graduates leave with the ability to participate in virtually every aspect of a case and to be effective members of a legal team. They can personalize their learning experience by taking elective courses in topics such as bankruptcy, intellectual property, criminal, corporate, business, and family law. Graduates of the program are prepared for paralegal positions in private law firms, government agencies, private sector corporations, non-profit organizations, advocacy groups, court system, insurance companies, and bank trust departments.

The program format and courses are designed for busy professionals, scheduled in the evenings and run from March 31, to June 16, 2005. Beverly Moss-Jones, assistant director of the Paralegal Certificate Program, credits the program's success to its advisory committee and instructors, who represent the finest legal minds in the county and ensure that the program maintains its quality, consistency, and distinctiveness. The committee also helps ensure that the program’s curriculum conveys knowledge and skills to participants that meet employer needs in the workplace. Program instructors are from leading law firms, corporations, and public sector organizations.

As the continuing education arm of the prestigious university, UC Irvine Extension is dedicated to providing a transforming learning experience for students, offering thousands of exciting courses and programs to local, regional, and global constituencies. UC Irvine Extension offers a rich array of academic and community programs to support a diverse audience from a wide selection of academic programs to numerous campus activities.  UC Irvine Extension continues to provide a university-level learning experience to all students.   For more information about UC Irvine Extension visit them on the Web at www.extension.uci.edu.

For more information on the Paralegal Certificate program, contact Beverly Moss-Jones at (949) 824-5524 or via email at Beverly.Moss-Jones@unx.uci.edu.