Northwestern State University is offering a certification program in paralegal studies through the criminal justice program in the Department of Criminal Justice, History and Social Sciences. The Legal Assistant Program offers an eight-course preparation in legal studies to train students in the field of legal studies and to instruct them in different areas of the law.

“This preparation can better prepare the highly motivated student as they enter the field of law as a paralegal and/or begin the legal learning process with students who plan to continue their studies in law school,” said Shirley Snyder, attorney and assistant professor in the Department of Criminal Justice, History and Social Sciences.

The Legal Assistant Program involves an eight-course rotation, which includes introduction to law, legal research, litigation, estates, trusts and wills, corporations, real estate and mortgages, family relations law and law office administration. Two courses are offered per semester with each course offered one night a week from 5-8 p.m.

“The entire rotation is completed over a two-year period, making this program particularly attractive to individuals who are employed and/or attending the university fulltime,” Snyder said. “An additional service which makes this program appealing is that it is offered through distance learning on various locations, including the Natchitoches, Alexandria and Leesville campuses. Upon successful completion of these courses, participants receive a certificate of completion for the program.”

Individuals interested in pursuing this certificate of completion need not be a fulltime student or pursuing a particular degree program. However, students who are pursuing a degree program and/or are considered a fulltime student may still pursue this certificate of completion while pursuing their degree requirements. All courses are taught by attorneys and will prepare the student to work in most legal venues.

Students can enroll at the beginning of any semester and courses need not be taken in any order. Enrollment is open to anyone with a high school diploma. ACT scores are not necessary.

Certificate requirements can be viewed online at criminaljustice.nsula.edu/legal-assistance-program-lap/ and criminaljustice.nsula.edu/lap-course-descriptions/. Those interested can also access the criminal justice program and the Department of Criminal Justice, History, and Social Sciences at criminaljustice.nsula.edu/criminal-justice/ and criminaljustice.nsula.edu/nsu-national-journal-of-criminal-justice/.

For information on financial aid, see financialaid.nsula.edu/, and for information on admissions, see admissions.nsula.edu/. Registration information can be found at http://registrar.nsula.edu/. To find out more about the program, contact Snyder at snyders@nsula.edu.