We recognized University of Providence for offering one of Top Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Paralegal Studies, adding them to our list of top recommendations for students in the area.
We were excited to hear from Deborah Kottel, faculty member at University of Providence, 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?
Deborah: Yes. Many students already have been in a career field for many years such as health care or education and are ready to apply their knowledge to a legal field.
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?
Deborah: We have always believed that it is important to teach our students not just what to do but why they are doing something. Our students for example have to take intensive critical thinking, legal research and writing courses. The final project in the Legal Research and Writing course is writing an appellate brief. This tests students ability not just for technical writing but persuasive writing and their ability to synthesized case law and statutes to make a cogent argument on behalf of a client.
Does the program at your school include an internship and are faculty available to help students find one?
Deborah: We require an internship. We help place students. During the internship students take an online class where we discuss ethics and other issues that might arise in a job setting.
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?
Deborah: Our paralegal program is over 36 years old. We have three full time faculty that teach in the program with each of us coming from a different practice area. We believe that education is not just about making a living but also about living and being of service to others.
Check out our full interview series here to see what other professors and faculty are saying about their paralegal programs.