August 1, 2006                                                            

SMC Paralegal Program

Registering for Fall I Term 2006

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Paralegal Certificate Program at Spartanburg Methodist College is now registering students for the Fall I term.  

Classes will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 until 9 p.m. and will run for 10 weeks, from August 22 until October 26. Tuesday night course selections include Legal Writing, Introduction to Paralegal Studies, and Trial Evidence. Thursday night courses will include Human Growth Potential, Computers for the Law Office and Forensics/Crime Scene Investigations, and Criminalistics and the Law.

The SMC Paralegal Certificate Program trains students to work under the direction of an attorney and perform substantive legal work. To earn a certificate, students must complete 20 courses, offered in 10 terms, with each term lasting 10 weeks.  Students may choose to take one or two courses during a term.

“Our paralegal students come in all ages – from the 20s to the 70s; and represent a diversity of backgrounds: students, business owners, health care providers, educators, displaced manufacturing  workers, and even legal staff from area law firms and legal departments,” says Yvonne Harper, Director of the Paralegal Program.  “The one thing they share is a desire to study the law and work in the legal profession.”  

“We are providing a valuable service to the Upstate legal community which ultimately benefits the general public,” Harper commented.

Paralegals assist attorneys with trial preparation, perform research, draft legal documents, and assist with financial and corporate transactions. In addition to being employed in law offices, paralegals work for corporations, banks, hospitals, insurance firms, government agencies, real estate companies, trust and estate administration, property management, and commercial lending. 

Tuition is $275 per course with financial aid and payment plans available.  Individuals may also audit a course for $125. To apply and register, go online to http://www.smcsc.edu/pages/Paralegal.   For more information, contact Harper at 864-587-4278 or E-mail harpery@smcsc.edu.