We recognized St. Mary-of-the-Woods College for offering one of Top Post-Degree Certificate Programs, adding them to our list of top recommendations for students in the area.
We were excited to hear from Glenna L. Simons, faculty member at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, 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?
Glenna: Yes, several folks opt for the post-baccalaureate certificate–they already have a Bachelor’s degree in some other field, but want to add on the certificate to better prepare them for the workplace.
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?
Glenna: Paralegal education continues to be a growing field. We offer many electives in addition to the “basics”–one thing that has worked well with our Paralegal Studies program here at SMWC is the creation of an advisory board, made up largely of practitioners in the various fields, who meet regularly to give us feedback regarding new trends in the field, skills needed, etc. Technology drives a lot of the changes.
Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?
Glenna: Students in the SMWC Paralegal Studies Program are required to do a semester long practicum, for academic credit, usually in the semester before graduation. Members of the advisory board assist us with finding local internship placements, etc.
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?
Glenna: The Paralegal Studies program at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College aims to set the standard of excellence in liberal arts-based, career-oriented education that is both academically and technologically progressive within a personal, supportive environment. To achieve its educational mission, the Paralegal Studies program provides for the study and exchange of ideas and for the acquisition of career skills so that students think and communicate with greater awareness of themselves and others, gain valuable tools for employment, and develop resources for future opportunities.
Check out our full interview series here to see what other professors and faculty are saying about their paralegal programs.