The University of Texas at Austin Launches Paralegal Certificate Program

AUSTIN, Texas, June 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Professional Development Center (PDC), a component of Continuing and Innovative Education (CIE) at The University of Texas at Austin, is proud to announce the launch of a new Paralegal Certificate Program. This paralegal training program is offered in two formats: as an in-person, classroom offering or as an online course. Online courses are also available in Spanish. The program is presented by PDC in conjunction with the Institute of Career Development (ICD), a nationally acclaimed provider of paralegal training. Students can complete the Paralegal Certificate Program and begin their legal career in just 4 months.

The paralegal field is one of the few employment growth fields in the United States. Law firms and corporate legal departments are relying more heavily on paralegals as cost-saving measures and to perform tasks once routinely handled by attorneys. The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, forecasts a faster-than-average growth rate of 28 percent through 2018.

"I am very proud to offer the Paralegal Certificate Program to our Austin community and to professionals across the country," said Liliya Spinazzola, director of the Professional Development Center. "The program offers a comprehensive, in-depth education into this growing field. Students have a wonderful opportunity here at the university to start a new career or deepen their existing skills. I am fully confident that the Paralegal Certificate Program stands with the very best professional development training of its type anywhere in the world."

The Paralegal Certificate Program focuses on giving participants the most in-demand skills and education to begin a paralegal career or advance an existing career in the legal profession. The program is designed by paralegals, attorneys and judges from across the country and is taught by some of Austin's most respected and esteemed legal professionals, all members of the State Bar of Texas and approved by the PDC. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.

In this program, students learn legal processes, court structure, interviewing, investigation, document preparation, file maintenance, correspondence, research, writing and analysis, as well as substantive topics of law, such as torts, contracts and civil procedure.  

The Professional Development Center will host three free information sessions on The University of Texas at Austin campus on June 14, July 21 and August 11. These sessions will include program, instructor and registration overviews, in addition to a review of available resources for students to help them successfully complete the program. Free registration is required at http://www.utexas.edu/ce/pdc//certificate/paralegal-certificate-program.  

Additional information including registration information, classroom or online comparisons, an FAQ, and access to an online "test drive" including downloadable textbook samples, study support tools and mock exams is found online at http://www.utexasparalegal.com.

About the Professional Development Center:

The Professional Development Center (PDC), a component of Continuing and Innovative Education at The University of Texas at Austin, offers a wide range of programs and courses designed to help individuals and organizations around Texas and around the world improve personal, professional and organizational performance. To meet this goal, PDC offers high-quality non-credit courses, professional certificate programs, consulting, coaching, and facilitation services, both online and on the university campus.

About Continuing and Innovative Education:

Continuing and Innovative Education (CIE) has a 100-year history of extending the resources of the university to anyone with a desire to learn. CIE provides a wide range of credit and noncredit courses, services and programs that encompass K-16 academics, online college and professional development courses, professional certificate programs and personal enrichment opportunities. CIE is made up of the K-16 Education Center, Petroleum Extension Service, Professional Development Center, Thompson Conference Center, University of Texas-University Charter School and University Extension. For more information about Continuing and Innovative Education, please visit us online at http://www.utexas.edu/cie/stories.  

Contact: Wayne Wenske, Continuing and Innovative Education, 512-232-7392, [email protected]

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SOURCE Continuing and Innovative Education