Commission Approves Paralegal Degrees

April 8, 2005      

BLOOMINGTON, IN – As part of the celebration of the month of the young child, the South Central Chapter of the Indiana Association of the Education of You The Indiana Commission for Higher Education has approved a Paralegal Studies program for Ivy Tech Community College – Bloomington. Students will now be able to complete Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Science degrees in Paralegal Studies at the Bloomington campus.

Ivy Tech added the paralegal degree program at the request of local employers who have indicated that a professional paralegal studies program is needed in south central Indiana. It is Ivy Tech’s hope that the new degrees will assist the legal community with the expanding needs of the region and that the program will provide another workforce opportunity for area residents.

Ivy Tech-Bloomington’s dean of academic affairs, James O. Smith, commented about the Commission’s approval: “Ivy Tech is continuing to add to its inventory of programs in an effort to meet local needs. These degrees provide new opportunities for residents of our region in a profession that is growing and in need of highly-skilled graduates.”

The Paralegal Program will provide students with the basic and specialized skills needed to become valued members in the legal workplace. The duties of trained paralegals are varied and can range from research and writing to interviewing witnesses and victims. The curriculum will emphasize written and oral communication skills and will provide a number of in-class opportunities for technical skill development.

The two-year Associate of Science Degree will require the successful completion of 60 credit hours. The degree is designed for transfer opportunities, and will transfer to the four-year degree in Legal Assistance Studies at Ball State University.

John Rucker, J.D. currently serves as the Paralegal Advisor.
For more information about the program, he can be contacted at 330-6107.
Email: jrucker@ivytech.edu