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Program Overview
Currciulum and Instructors
Industry Trends


Latest News
SMC Introduces Cyber Crime Course In Paralegal Program
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New Paralegal Course To Help Bridge Language Barrier With Spanish Speaking Clients
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Admissions Requirements
for Paralegal Certificate Program

  • High school diploma or GED equivalency
  • College transcripts where applicable
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • $35 application fee


Cost

  • $275 per course
  • Tuition payment plan available
  • MasterCard and Visa Accepted
  • Opportunity for financial assistance

Obtain an Application Form*


Refund Policy

In the event a class is cancelled, a full refund will be given. For students who register and then decide to drop a class, the following will apply: 80% refund at the end of the first week and a 50% refund at the end of the second week. No refunds will be given after the end of the second week. Please be aware that once you register for a class you are added to the class roll. Therefore, if you drop a class after the starting date, your record will be noted accordingly: showing a balance owed even when you have not yet paid for the class.
A Drop/Add Form must be filled out when dropping a class. You can obtain this form from the Director of the Paralegal Certificate Program.

Paralegal Industry Trends

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Outlook, “Paralegals and legal assistants are projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2010. Employment growth stems from law firms and other employers with legal staffs increasingly hiring paralegals to lower the cost and increase the availability and efficiency of legal services that were historically performed by attorneys.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics most paralegals earn somewhere in the $25-72,000 range.

In a June 2000 survey by the National Association of Legal Assistants, the average national salary for legal assistants and paralegals was between $35,226 and $37,266.

  • In 2004, the nationwide the average salary for paralegals was $44,373. Wages vary by education. In general the more education, the higher the wages. Type and size of the employer also affects wages.
  • Many paralegals also receive bonuses and benefits, including sick leave, paid vacation, health insurance, and retirement plan.

Sources: Iseek.com Career: Paralegal, NALA 2004 National Utilization and Compensation Survey Report, Greater Lexington Paralegal Association, http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals/home.html.

According to a salary survey of Legal Assistant Today, paralegals nationally earned an average salary of $51,000 in 2005. Other reports show experienced paralegals earning average salaries of about $67,000 with some earning up to $77,000. * salaries fluctuate greatly based on years of experience and region of employment.



Contact:
Yvonne Harper

Paralegal Program Director
Phone: (864) 587- 4278
Fax: (864) 587-4358
E-Mail:
harpery@smcsc.edu