PARALEGAL SCHOOL FEATURE
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Prime Real Estate for Paralegal Studies: The Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies Paralegal Studies Program [By Devon Pryor] When it comes to naming the best locations for training in paralegal studies, Georgetown University is at the top of the list. Georgetown University is located on prime real estate in the District of Columbia. This optimal location allows students enrolled in the Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies Paralegal Studies Program the privilege of learning about legal matters in our nation’s capitol. The Georgetown campus is located within walking distance of the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, and the Houses of Congress, and it is just a stone’s throw from Capitol Hill.
The paralegal studies program at
According to its website, the paralegal
technology, and medical law. For students
Georgetown University was established in
studies program at Georgetown University’s
enrolled in the summer intensive certificate
1973. In 1977, the program was awarded the
School of Continuing Studies is very highly
program, an internship coordinated by the
approval of the American Bar Association,
regarded in the legal community. Its
program director is required. Internships
and to this day, it remains the only ABA-
dedicated faculty members bring broad
last for two weeks and are unpaid. Interns
approved paralegal studies program in
ranges of experience to their classroom
work full-time in firms, corporations,
Washington, DC. The program holds
instruction. The website also states that the
public service organizations, associations,
membership in the American Association
best measures of the program’s success
government agencies, local courts, or federal
for Paralegal Education (AAfPE), the
are the fascinating careers of program
courts.
International Paralegal Management
graduates. Graduates of the Georgetown
Association (IPMA), the National Capital
University paralegal studies program
Students in the paralegal studies program
Area Paralegal Association (NCAPA),
hold esteemed positions in the fields of
have access to the Edward Bennett Williams
and the National Federation of Paralegal
litigation, corporate transactions, estate
Law Library, on the façade of which are
Associations (NFPA).
administration, communications law,
carved the words “LAW IS BUT THE MEANS
environmental law, criminal law, medical
– JUSTICE IS THE END.” These words were
The program upholds the values set forth
law, real estate, intellectual property,
spoken by student Joseph A. Cantrel at the
by Georgetown University Law Center,
employment law, personal injury law, and
law center’s 50th anniversary celebration.
which specify that legal education should
domestic relations.
The library’s five stories house a collection
be available to members of society who
of more than 1 million volumes. The John
already hold full-time employment. It is
The objective of the program is to empower
Wolff International and Comparative Law
for this reason that the paralegal studies
students to fulfill their potential and become
Library also holds a large collection of more
program at Georgetown University offers
effective members of the legal profession
than 100,000 volumes of private and public
an evening education track, just as the law
through the integrated fine-tuning of skills,
international law. On-campus housing is not
center does. The evening certificate program
knowledge, and personal values. The
available to students enrolled in the evening
requires a part-time commitment, takes one
courses in the program are academically
certificate program. However, students in
year to complete, and is divided into three
challenging and cover traditional areas of
the intensive summer certificate program
consecutive 13-week sessions with classes
study offered by all reputable educational
may be able to acquire limited on-campus
meeting two times per week for three hours.
facilities. These include, but are not limited
housing within certain restrictions.
The other option for paralegal study is an
to, classes in administrative law, advanced
intensive certificate program completed
legal research and writing, advanced
Job placement, though not guaranteed by
during the summer; this option requires a
litigation and trial practice, commercial and
the paralegal studies department, is offered
14-week, full-time commitment and runs
contractual relations, corporate law practice,
to both students and graduates. An updated
from May through August.
criminal law and procedure, introduction
list of paralegal positions with postings
to trademark law, legal ethics and legal
for new job opportunities announced by
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PARALEGAL SCHOOL FEATURE
www.lawcrossing.com
1. 800.973.1177
ON THE NET
prospective employers is distributed
students in the paralegal studies program,
regularly to students and graduates.
School of Continuing Studies enrollees are
Maintaining membership in the Georgetown
also offered access to Georgetown University’s
Georgetown University
University Paralegal Studies Program
recreational facilities, including its state-
www.georgetown.edu
Alumni Association (GUPSPAA) is also a
of-the-art, three-story fitness center, which
useful method for finding employment as a
features a pool, opportunities to participate in
School of Continuing Studies: Paralegal
paralegal, as the association offers students
sports, group and individual instruction, and
Studies Program
and grads a means of networking and, as the
cardio equipment. The Georgetown University
www12.georgetown.edu/scs/psp
program website says, “strengthening the
campus, in addition to being within walking
job bank.”
distance of many government buildings, is
Georgetown Law Library
also within walking distance of Chinatown and
www.ll.georgetown.edu
In addition to the wealth of knowledge and
the ethnically and culturally diverse Adams
networking opportunities made available to
Morgan neighborhood.
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