SAVANNAH, GA – Students may now earn the Paralegal Studies Associate Degree online at Savannah Technical College with courses offered virtually. Students are encouraged to do an internship opportunity in their local area, which must be approved by the Paralegal Studies department head.
“We offer a student-centered program that meets students where they are,” said STC Paralegal Studies Department Head Debra R. Geiger, Esq. “Online classes allow students to manage their lives to balance family and work while pursuing a degree. Technology advancements allow us to do so much more from home or a remote location. Not even the pandemic has impeded our students’ ability to continue their education.”
According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for paralegals and legal assistants in the U.S. was $50,940 in May 2018. The bureau predicts that employment in these types of jobs will increase by 12% between 2018 and 2028, which is significantly higher than the average projected job growth rate of 5% for all U.S. occupations.
There is an increasing demand for paralegals with legally pertinent tech skills. “This includes client file security, electronic filing in cases, digital forensics, and electronic evidence discovery and preservation. Some of the most lucrative jobs are in this field,” said Geiger.
She said there are a lot of jobs available for those who only choose to pursue a two-year degree, where the cost of education is relatively inexpensive. “One can make a good living as a paralegal with a two-year degree,” said Geiger. “The affordability and convenience of technical education allow people to continue their employment while pursuing advanced training.”
STC’s Paralegal Studies Associate Degree graduates have a 100% placement in field (AY2019) and are in demand with area law offices.
Courses taught by licensed, practicing attorneys. Department Head Geiger practiced law in Georgia for several years and was elected national president (three-year term) of AAfPE in 2019. Previously, she served a three-year term on AAfPE’s board of directors.
Students gain real-world experience through volunteering under the direction of their instructors to apply what they’ve learned. For example, students research legal questions for indigent Georgia citizens in need of legal help through the American Bar Association’s Free Legal Answers Virtual legal advice clinic and provide document preparation assistance to pro se litigants seeking to file for divorce through the Family Law Resource Center.
The program prepares students for a career in the paralegal profession. The knowledge and skills emphasized in the Paralegal Studies program include ethical obligations; research in state and federal law; legal correspondence preparation; family law matters; basic concepts of real property law; criminal law and procedure; civil litigation; substantive contract law; and wills, trusts, and probate. Paralegals, also called legal assistants, work closely with attorneys, judges, prosecutors, or public defenders. Paralegal Studies is open to adults, along with high school students through dual enrollment
The College is an institutional member of the American Association of Paralegal Education (AAfPE). This is the highest level of membership for AAfPE. The College also has its own Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX) National Honor Society for Paralegals chapter.
Students are encouraged to apply by Friday, December 11, 2020, the priority deadline for Spring 2021. Classes begin January 13, 2021. Visit: www.savannahtech.edu/paralegal-online or contact Geiger at 912.443.5715 or dgeiger@savannahtech.edu for more information about the program or to start training for a career as a paralegal.
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#2110| November 4, 2020
Media contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 | ashaffer@savannahtech.edu
Paralegal Studies Department Head: Debra R. Geiger, Esq.
912.443.5715| dgeiger@savannahtech.edu
Savannah Technical College serves Coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 10,000 credit and non-credit students annually, Savannah Tech offers nearly 150 different instructional programs in Aviation Technology, Business and Professional Services, Industrial Technology, and Health Sciences in addition to Adult Education classes, industry-specific training and continuing education. The College serves as an economic and community development partner for the region, offering corporate and customized training and assessment programs for business and industry.
Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).