Expand your opportunities Paralegal Institute
Convenient classes in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh
On the Cover: Mary Olson and David Gerber
There has never been a better time to become a paralegal Career opportunities for paralegals and legal assistants are expected to grow an average of
through 2022
Top-notch “Duquesne was the clear choice for my paralegal education. Its faculty and resources are topnotch, and the faculty members clearly care about each student.” Jennifer Lawyer, Paralegal Student
Job Opportunities The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that careers for paralegals and legal assistants are expected to grow an average of 17 percent through 2022, faster than the average of all occupations. Duquesne’s Paralegal Institute offers you an in-depth educational program and the practical skills that will prepare you for your new career and opportunities.
Responsibilities typically include: Client and Witness Interviews Legal Research
The Profession
Why Duquesne?
A paralegal or legal assistant is a person who performs specifically designated substantive work for which a lawyer is responsible. A paralegal is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, government agency, real estate company, or other entity.
The legal industry is in a period of significant change. It is increasingly clear that success as a practicing paralegal depends upon receiving a comprehensive education in the field, one that responds to ever-changing needs of the legal profession.
Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.
Recognizing this important role in serving the legal community, the University’s Paralegal Institute is now part of Duquesne’s School of Law.
Drafting Correspondence Handling Pleadings and Other Legal Documents Participating in Real Estate Closings Summarizing Discovery Documents
Duquesne has prepared more than
professionals for paralegal careers over the past 30 years
One of only law school certificate programs in the country approved by the American Bar Association
Ann Foster, Paralegal
Program of Convenience The Program Duquesne offers a post-baccalaureate, noncredit certificate program that requires a bachelor’s degree for admission. The School of Law program offers comprehensive training in essential research and writing skills, ongoing opportunities to expand critical thinking skills related to legal issues, and detailed information on the ethical responsibilities of paralegals. After completing two-thirds of coursework in accordance with the highest academic standards, students are considered for membership in the prestigious National Paralegal Honor Society, Lambda Epsilon Chi. The honor society induction ceremony is held each December, an event attended by graduates, faculty, advisory board members, employers, and family members.
Four Opportunities to Begin Your Studies Fall Term September-December
Evening Classes
Winter Term January-March
Intensive Summer Term
Spring Term April-June Summer Term June-August
Evening classes meet four nights per week, Monday-Thursday, 5:30-8:30 p.m., for 11 weeks.
The summer program is a full-time intensive day format in which students can complete the entire program and earn a Certificate in General Practice in 12 weeks. Summer intensive classes are held Monday – Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Evening classes continue with one class a week, 5:30-8:30 p.m. in the summer, although enrollment is for part-time students only.
The summer term is a popular option. Seats are limited so early registration is strongly recommended.
Two Law Libraries at Your Service Students can tap into the extensive resources of Duquesne University School of Law’s two law libraries: the Duquesne Center for Legal Information in the School of Law in Hanley Hall, and the Allegheny County Law Library in the City-County Building downtown.
Possibilities “I am grateful every day for the opportunity to participate in and complete Duquesne’s Paralegal Institute program. So many doors are open to me and the possibilities are endless.” Rachelle Vopal, Paralegal
Excellence “My time at the Paralegal Institute was nothing short of amazing. The Paralegal Institute’s dedication to academic excellence and career preparation allowed me to be immediately effective in the legal field. Thanks to the readily available and helpful faculty, I was hired at a tremendous firm and gained academic notoriety by way of winning the LEX scholarship.” David G. Gerber, Paralegal
Prepare Yourself for Success Internships Students may be placed in a paralegal intern position with a private law firm, government agency, court office, corporation, insurance company, bank, real estate company, community service agency, health care facility, or other appropriate office. The term of the elective internship is 16 hours per week for 10 weeks. An additional classroom component of eight hours is held in four two-hour sessions during the evenings. Supervised by a licensed, practicing attorney and usually by a
practicing paralegal, the student will be both an observer and a participant in the operation of the assigned office. A student must have a minimum 2.75 GPA and have completed certain prerequisite courses.
Career Services Students and program alumni can take advantage of a number of Duquesne’s career services, including access to the University’s job bank. The Paralegal Institute faculty and staff also provide career guidance and support. In addition, the Institute shares postings by law firms, placement firms, businesses, and government agencies seeking paralegal candidates.
“Duquesne’s program has prepared me for my current job in a profound way. Through my class work and meetings, I am head and shoulders above other paralegals who have not attended Duquesne’s program.” Stefan Heidinger, Paralegal
Curriculum Certificate Options Certificate in General Practice
Certificate in Estates Concentration
All Core Courses Five Electives
All Core Courses Estates, Wills and Trusts Real Estate Law Corporate and Business Law I or Healthcare Law Elder Law Federal and PA Death Tax
Certificate in Civil Litigation Concentration All Core Courses Civil Litigation I Commercial Contract Law Civil Litigation II Torts/Personal Injury Law Advanced Civil Litigation
Certificate in Corporate Law Concentration All Core Courses Commercial Contract Law Real Estate Procedures or Intellectual Property Corporate and Business Law I Corporate and Business Law II Federal/State Securities Corporate Financing
Certificate in Litigation Technology Concentration All Core Courses Civil Litigation I Civil Litigation II Advanced Civil Litigation Litigation Technology I Litigation Technology II
Core Curriculum
Electives
All students are required to complete the following core courses:
Tax Returns Administrative Law Public Policy, Governance and Law Advanced Civil Litigation Real Estate Law Advanced Legal Research Torts/Personal Injury Law Alternative Dispute Resolution Bankruptcy Core courses and electives or concentration Civil Litigation I courses can be taken at the same time. Civil Litigation II Ethical considerations and issues are taught Commercial Contract Law throughout the curriculum. Corporate and Business Law I Corporate and Business Law II Corporate Financing Criminal Law Domestic Law Elder Law Environmental Law Estates, Wills and Trusts Federal and State Securities Law “My recent promotion Healthcare Law to supervisor is Internship due in large part to my education at Immigration Law and Procedure Duquesne’s Paralegal Intellectual Property Laws and Procedures Institute.” Labor and Employment Law Litigation Technology I Litigation Technology II Lissette Maney, Paralegal Pennsylvania Law in Oil and Gas Preparation of PA Inheritance and Federal Estate
Introduction to the Legal System and Paralegalism Professional Responsibility and Paralegal Practice Legal Research Methods Legal Writing and Case Analysis I Legal Writing and Case Analysis II For proper sequencing, Introduction to the Legal System and Paralegalism should be taken at the beginning of the program. Legal Research Methods is a prerequisite for Legal Writing and Case Analysis I, the prerequisite for Legal Writing and Case Analysis II. Students do not, however, have to complete all core courses before taking other classes.
Promotion
Students who earn a
GPA are eligible to be considered for the Genevieve A. Mealy Scholarship, the highest award given to a paralegal student
Associate Dean and Professor Frank Liu
Resources Earning Your Certificate A Paralegal Certificate is granted after the faculty has carefully evaluated your performance based on written and oral assignments, examinations and participation in class discussions.
Academic Standards and Administrative Policies The School of Law posts the Paralegal Institute’s academic calendar, academic standards, grading policies, refund policies, technology guidelines, and other administrative policies online.
Administration and Faculty
The general certificate comprises a total of 33 CEUs. Courses required for the certificate are non-credit. The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a nationally recognized, standard unit of measurement that has been adopted for post-secondary programs and educational courses not carrying credit. Ten hours of in-class participation equals one CEU.
The Paralegal Institute is home to an outstanding group of administrators and faculty members. More than 30 professionals serve students through the year.
Tuition and Scholarships
Frank Yining Liu Associate Dean for Legal Programs and Professor of Law Director of the Duquesne Center for Legal Information and Allegheny County Law Library
Duquesne University School of Law offers a paralegal education of the highest standards at a competitive rate. Students who earn a 4.0 GPA are eligible to be considered for the Genevieve A. Mealy Scholarship, the highest award given to a paralegal student. In addition, students are eligible for external scholarships through the Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX) scholarship of the American Association for Paralegal Education, and also for scholarships offered through the Pittsburgh Paralegal Association.
Administrators
Pamela J. Bailey Paralegal Institute Program Director
Faculty A Few of the 30+ Faculty Members Donna Allen-Rosemond Senior Attorney, Family Law Unit Neighborhood Legal Services Association, Inc. Course: Domestic Law Bernie Behrend Mediator, Attorney Behrend Mediation Services Courses: Introduction to the Legal System & Alternative Dispute Resolution Michael Bodner Attorney Reed Smith LLP Course: Bankruptcy Jody Burtner Senior Paralegal Pepper Hamilton LLP Course: Intellectual Property John Hayes Attorney Juvenile Court Project Course: Civil Litigation I
Joseph P. Nigro Attorney Nigro & Associates, LLC Courses: Legal Writing and Case Analysis, Real Estate Law, Torts and Personal Injury Law, and Pa. Law in Oil and Gas Frank Rauktis Senior Paralegal Cohen & Grigsby, P.C. Courses: Corporate and Business Law, and Federal and State Securities
Pam Bailey Paralegal Institute Program Director and Faculty Member
Orlando Sodini Attorney Thompson, Calkins, & Sutter Courses: Estates Wills and Trusts, Elder Law, and Federal and Pa. Death Tax Preparation Dennis Zawacki Attorney Zawacki and Hughes Course: Commercial Contract Law Other Faculty Read about all of our faculty members and the courses they teach online.
Students are eligible for external scholarships through the Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX) scholarship of the American Association for Paralegal Education
Applying is Easy Questions?
There’s never been a better time to become a paralegal. And applying to Duquesne University School of Law’s Paralegal Institute is easy.
Find out if you can attend the next Paralegal Institute Open House or email, call, or visit the office with your questions. We look forward to meeting you!
Download the application at duq.edu/paralegal or call 412.396.1643
Paralegal Institute Office 705 Libermann Hall paralegal@duq.edu 412.396.1643
Write a letter of interest to accompany your application describing your background and educational or career goals.
Mailing Address Paralegal Institute Duquesne University School of Law 600 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15282
Request your official college or university transcript and have it mailed to the Paralegal Institute directly. “Issued to Student” transcripts will not be considered. Schedule an admissions interview with the program director.
Approved American Bar Association
Voting Member American Association for Paralegal Education
ABA-Approved “As a stay-at-home mother who was looking to return to work, I decided to update my skills and return to school at the only ABA-approved program in the region — and it was right here in Pittsburgh. This wonderful program enabled me to learn the skills needed to start my paralegal career.” Robin Westwood, Paralegal
Paralegal Institute duq.edu/paralegal
The University is committed to the principles of equal educational and employment opportunity for all qualified persons. The University is further committed to nondiscriminatory human relations in the classroom and workplace, without regard to the person’s race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic history, Veteran status, or disability.