The Paralegal Studies program at The University of Memphis has been reapproved by the American Bar Association for the maximum seven-year term.
In March 2001, the American Bar Association evaluated the program’s organizational and administrative structure, educational services, faculty qualifications, admissions and student services and library and classroom facilities during a three-day visit to the campus.
The reapproval process is an extensive one. Since March, the American Bar Association team looked at everything about the program “under a microscope,” according to Nichols, and then reported all of the information to the Standing Committee on Legal Assistants. The program was finally reapproved at the ABA’s House of Delegates’ annual meeting on August 7.
Currently, 233 students are enrolled in the paralegal program. According to Broderick Nichols, assistant dean of the University College of Paralegals, enrollment in the program’s courses has increased 23 percent since last fall.
“I’m really happy about that,” Nichols said.
The Paralegal Studies program offers a four-year bachelor’s degree of professional studies with a concentration in paralegal services, and a shorter 27-hour paralegal core curriculum credential for those who have already graduated.
Paralegals work for attorneys performing research, document preparation and client services. Currently, annual salary for paralegals in the Memphis/Shelby County area is about $42,500.
Nichols said that most of the increase in enrollment is due to students from different majors enrolling because they are interested in learning about law as it relates to their field of study. For example, music business majors sometimes take a contracts class in the paralegal department to learn how to effectively draw up music contracts.
“Legal classes really cross discipline lines and can be useful to a variety of majors,” Nichols said.
Other classes offered in the department are real estate practices, business associations and legal research and writing.
A minor in paralegal services is being developed for non-law majors who are interested in learning law.
The program has satellite sites at Dyersburg State Community College and Jackson State Community College through the Office of Extended Programs.
