Online Paralegal Studies Program Offered at MCC

Madisonville Community College (MCC) is pleased to announce the offering of a new online program in the fall 2012 semester. The Paralegal Studies program is a career oriented program designed to prepare students for immediate employment as entry-level paralegals in courts, corporations, private law firms, trust departments of banks, and government agencies. We are very happy to be the first college in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System to offer a program in Paralegal Studies, stated Dr. Deborah Cox, MCC s Chief Academic Officer. This growing occupation is a perfect fit for online delivery to accommodate people who are currently working as well as those who are going to school full time.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a faster than average growth rate of 28% through 2018 for the employment of paralegals. The Workforce Kentucky website reports an increase of 14%-18% in the need for paralegals between 2008 and 2018 in the Pennyrile and Green River regions. The median annual wage for paralegals nationally is approximately $46,680; locally the annual mean salary is approximately $38,400.

The constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky gives the Kentucky State Supreme Court authority to regulate legal practice within Kentucky. The State Supreme Court adopted SCR 3.700 which is a policy statement requiring proper supervision and training of paralegals by the supervising lawyers. In 2009, the Kentucky Bar Association emphasized this ruling in their Revised Kentucky Rules of Professional Conduct. The Kentucky Paralegal Association (KPA) developed a voluntary certification process and exam that would help ensure that paralegals are properly trained in Kentucky. The curriculum is based on standards developed from the National Association of Legal Assistants Descriptions of Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) Exam Sections. Graduates will be eligible to sit for the KPA Certified Kentucky Paralegal Exam.

The Paralegal Technology certificate requires 39 credit hours, and it can be completed within three semesters as a full-time student. For complete program course requirements, visit MCC s advising plan website at: https://madisonville.kctcs.edu/Academics/Madisonville_Advising_Plans.aspx

For more information, contact:

Paula Sinopoli, Paralegal Program Coordinator
(228) 806-7820
paula.sinopoli@kctcs.edu

Chet Cunningham, Social Sciences Division Chair
(270) 824-8669
chet.cunningham@kctcs.edu