This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Northwestern College Launches Online Hybrid Option to its ABA Approved Paralegal Program

[Bridgeview/Chicago-Jefferson Park & Rosemont, IL] This week Northwestern College announced its new Paralegal Hybrid Online Program (taught primarily online, but with limited on-campus classes) which will launch during the upcoming Fall Quarter. Students who complete the two-year program (100 quarter credit hours) will be awarded an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Paralegal. The hybrid program was developed in compliance with ABA requirements which necessitate that four (4) paralegal classes are taught on-ground at a brick and mortar campus; the remaining paralegal and general education courses will all be taught online.

Selection of the program’s first students began this week and will continue leading up to the first day of classes on September 23, 2013.

The program requires that four specific courses be taken at either the Chicago or Bridgeview campus, or alternatively and with prior approval, students may take those classes on campus at another college and transfer the credits to Northwestern College. The four courses (4 credit hours each) are: Introduction to Legal Research; Civil Litigation & Procedure II; Legal Research and Writing I and Legal Research and Writing II. The degree also requires students to complete a Paralegal Externship where they gain professional experience working under the supervision of a licensed attorney. Externships can be completed at a variety of locations in the Chicagoland area and elsewhere upon approval.

Find out what's happening in Wheatonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Today’s students have different needs from those students who attended college just five years ago.  To accommodate the needs of today’s students - in addition to the needs of our ever-changing workforce - Northwestern College has developed a number of online programs to provide options for busy people to earn a degree/learn a new skill, thereby opening up avenues for new careers. Northwestern College also offers Associate in Applied Science degree programs fully online for Business Administration, Criminal Justice and Health Information Technology.

With ever decreasing time to balance work and family, obtaining a college education via classes at brick and mortar buildings has become more challenging. Having the option to earn a degree online makes college more accessible, a goal emphasized by President Obama in his recent college proposals unveiled last week. In order to satisfy this growing need, Northwestern College continues to develop programs aimed at addressing the needs of today’s students.

Find out what's happening in Wheatonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Northwestern College has thrived for over 110 years in the Chicagoland area by continuing to meet the needs of today’s workforce,” commented Lawrence Schumacher, Northwestern College’s President. “With the hustle and bustle of today’s world, students need more options. Getting a degree online is one of them. We are pleased to now include this hybrid Paralegal Program at Northwestern College so that interested students may now pursue a paralegal degree primarily at times and locations most convenient to them.”

 

 

About Northwestern College:

Northwestern College (NC) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, www.ncahlc.org. The college offers focused career-oriented associate degree and certificate programs with flexible schedules and a supportive faculty. Day, evening, weekend, online classes and online programs are available, with campuses in Chicago and Bridgeview as well as Online. More information can be found at www.northwesterncollege.edu or by calling toll-free (888) 205-2283.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?