A New Name for an Expanding Career Field
College of Saint Mary is excited to announce its Paralegal Studies Program has been renamed Legal Studies in order to incorporate expanding professional opportunities for students. With the regions only American Bar Association (ABA) approved four-year paralegal program, this degree allows students to work in a law firm, corporation or pursue law school.
The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that the demand for paralegal professionals will continue growing faster than average, anticipating up to a 22 percent increase in opportunities by 2022. The median salary for paralegals is $46,990, and Spanish/English bi-lingual paralegals are in particularly high demand. According to the National Association of Legal Assistants 2013 Compensation Survey (which includes bonuses) the average annual compensation for paralegals is $57,388.
CSM’s Legal Studies program also serves as a pre-law track, providing excellent preparation for the law school entrance exam. Graduates of CSM programs have enjoyed job offers from top law firms and corporations across the country, many of times prior to graduation.
“College of Saint Mary’s 4-year program graduates have been accepted to distinguished regional law schools, often with full-ride scholarships, and 100 percent of our certificate earners are historically employed within six months of graduation,” explained Sally Bisson-Best, J.D., Director of Legal Studies. She goes onto explain, “The renaming of the program will open up even more job opportunities for our graduates.”
College of Saint Mary also offers a post-baccalaureate paralegal certificate for those who have already earned a bachelor's degree but would like to change careers. Classes are held every other weekend so students can work full-time while earning a certificate in just one year.
College of Saint Mary, founded in Omaha in 1923, is the region's only Catholic college for women. With approximately 1,000 students, CSM is dedicated to the education of women in an environment that calls forth potential and fosters leadership
