We recognized Itawamba Community College for offering one of the Top Associate’s Degree Programs in Paralegal Studies in the Nation, adding them to our list of top recommendations for students in the area.
We were excited to hear from Jamie Hall, faculty member at Itawamba, who took the time to answer a few questions about how the school works to create a great student experience that helps prepare graduates for a career in the legal field.
Are you finding a lot of career changers in your program looking to get their start in the legal profession?
Jamie: Our program enables us to work with students who have designated Paralegal Technology as their major since high school and those who are seeking a career change. Many of our students have been in the workforce and are seeking higher skill and credential attainment to begin a new career as a paralegal.
Paralegals are really getting the respect they deserve these days, and taking on more and more responsibilities on the job. How is this changing the approach to educating new paralegals?
Jamie: The program allows students to pursue a career-specific degree and provides training for entry-level employment as a paralegal in law firms, businesses and organizations. Student internships are included in the two-year curriculum and allow students to apply concepts learned in the classroom in a supervised work setting and to gain practical experience before graduating and entering the workforce.
Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?
Jamie: ICC’s paralegal program includes student internships, and faculty assist our students with internship placement.
What are some of the things you love most about the paralegal program at your school – the kind of things you’d like future students to know about as they consider their options?
Jamie: Students in ICC’s paralegal program are provided opportunities to participate in internships. Students may participate in internship hours in civil litigation courses as well as complete an internship course during the second year of the program.
All courses in the program are offered online, so students have flexibility while completing the program.
Students take a national certification exam at the end of the program, which provides an opportunity to become certified in the field.
Check out our full interview series here to see what other professors and faculty are saying about their paralegal programs.