PARALEGAL STUDIES (Approved by the American Bar Association) School of Criminal Justice

Transcription

1 PARALEGAL STUDIES (Approved by the American Bar Association) School of Criminal Justice Emma Wright Program Coordinator Submission: November 30, 2016

2 I. Program Overview The Paralegal Studies program began at the University of Cincinnati in It received initial approval by the American Bar Association in (The ABA is not an accrediting body). The program has been reapproved four times since initial approval. Students leave the program with a broad understanding of legal concepts and the legal system combined with the ability to perform practical tasks. It is the mission of the program to aid students in becoming ethical, competent paralegals with the analytical, interpersonal communication, and technological skills needed to succeed and excel in a diverse and ever-changing legal profession. The program teaches skills in legal research and analysis, drafting legal documents, interviewing and fact gathering where the students will have an opportunity to learn through practical application. This baccalaureate degree is designed to be completed in four years of full-time study. The program s coursework approaches the study of law by laying a foundation for basic legal concepts i.e. contract law, tort law, legal ethical principles for the first two years of study. In the final two years, the students can opt for specific areas of interest (environmental law, sport & entertainment law, intellectual property, etc.). The curriculum is designed to achieve several core objectives: 1. Develop critical thinking skills 2. Understand their ethical obligations in the legal profession 3. Read, analyze and synthesize complex information in an organized an logical manner 4. Effectively communicate orally, in writing and in interpersonal situations 5. To be proficient in technology necessary to meet employer needs and provide the student with a quality education in paralegal studies based in an ethical, technological, and contemporary understanding of the law that is responsive to the needs of the legal community. Graduate placement has been routinely successful as evidenced by placement statistics. Graduates work in a wide range of employment. They assist in the legal activities of law firms, businesses, insurance companies, financial

3 institutions, hospitals, public agencies, title companies, legal publishers and/or government offices. A growing number of students attend law school or obtain an advanced degree. II. Program Outcomes Upon graduation from the paralegal program, students will: 1. Demonstrate effective legal knowledge and practical skills necessary to perform substantive legal work under the direction of an attorney 2. Understand their ethical obligations in the legal profession 3. Read, analyze and synthesize complex information in an organized an logical manner 4. Effectively communicate orally, in writing and in interpersonal situations 5. To be proficient in technology necessary to meet employer needs and provide the student with a quality education in paralegal studies based in an ethical, technological, and contemporary understanding of the law that is responsive to the needs of the legal community. III. Curriculum /Program Map (See Next Page)

4 PARALEGAL PROGRAM COURSE MATRIX GOALS/OBJECTIVES CROSSED-LISTED WITH COURSES Objectives/Courses PARA 1001 Intro to Legal Studies PARA-2025 Estates Planning & Probate PARA-1014 Family Law PARA-2021 Civil Litigation I PARA-2022 Civil Litigation II PARA-1011 Legal Research & Writing I PARA-1012 Legal Research & Writing II PARA-3003 Federal Income Tax Law PARA-2026 Admin Litigation PARA-2024 Corp & Bus Org PARA-2023 Real Estate Law PARA-3001 Investigative Techniques & Evidence PARA-4010 Adv Legal Res PARA-4002 Intellectual Property PARA-1013 Law Office Tech. Legal Knowledg e Practical Skills Ethics Critical Thinkin g Communication Skills (Oral/Written or Interpersonal) Technology

5 PARA-4020 Adv Para Sem PARA Bankruptcy Law PARA 2029 Employment Law PARA Special Topics PARA Study Abroad: Cultural & Legal Systems of the World PARA Environmental Law PARA Health Care Law PARA-4001 Sports and Entertainment Law PARA-4027 Paralegal Internship IV. Methods and Measures Several direct and indirect measures have been employed and data has been collected and utilized in the assessment process: External Assessment Tools include: 1) Current employer feedback through surveys and focus groups 2) Paralegal Internship -placement supervisor feedback (surveys and interviews) 3) Alumni (surveys and interviews) 4) Advisory Committee input 5) Participation in activities of local paralegal and bar associations 6) Analysis of graduate employment data 7) Analysis of job postings for paralegals 8) Faculty 9) Cincinnati Paralegal Association survey 10) Comprehensive exam administered by the Ohio State Bar Association

6 Internal Assessment Tools include: 1) Current students (surveys, interviews and focus groups) 2) Graduating students (exit surveys, interviews, focus groups) 3) Standardized satisfaction surveys 4) Program reviews involving college administrators 5) Course embedded assessments: a) Capstone Course (Advanced Paralegal Seminar) b) Paralegal Internship c) Graded assignments d) Graded assignments using rubrics e) Course maps f) Course Matrix V. Assessment Infrastructure The Assessment Process for the Paralegal Studies Program will occur under the oversight of the Program Coordinator, the faculty and the Advisory Committee. An assistant is available to help with this work. 1. Compilation of Data External Assessment Tools - Employer Feedback Employer feedback is assessed alternating every three years. Paralegal Internship Placement Supervisor Feedback Students may participate in the paralegal internship during Fall or Spring Semester. Supervisor feedback is provided at the conclusion of that semester. Alumni Alumni are assessed alternating every three years. Legal Community The legal community is assessed alternating every three years.

7 Advisory Committee The Advisory Committee provides input on a wide variety of issues. Their main purpose is to ensure that the program is successful in meeting its goals and objectives. The Advisory Committee meets twice every academic year. Participation in activities of paralegal and local bar associations Participation in activities of paralegal and local bar associations varies depending on the particular offerings. However, at a minimum, the participation is at least once per year for each organization. Analysis of graduate employment data Graduate employment data is analyzed every year within six (6) months of graduation. Analysis of job postings for paralegals Job postings of jobs that are communicated directly to the program coordinator are analyzed every year at the completion of the academic year. Faculty The Faculty provides input on a wide variety of issues ensuring that the legal specialty courses and the program are successful in meeting goals and objectives. The Faculty meets formally twice every academic year and informally, as needed. Cincinnati Paralegal Association survey The Cincinnati Paralegal Association surveys the paralegal community every two years and the results are shared with UC s paralegal program. Internal Assessment Tools Current students A current student sits on the Advisory Committee and provides input at meetings held twice per year. Additionally, students may informally meet with the program coordinator at any time to discuss issues.

8 Graduating students Graduating students complete an Exit Survey at the end of each academic year. Standardized satisfaction surveys Standardized satisfaction surveys are conducted at the end of each course. Program reviews involving college administrators The College Dean and Associate Academic Dean conduct a focus group with paralegal students every three academic years. Course embedded assessments a) Capstone Course The Capstone course is offered once per year. Student s skills are assessed with a graded assignment using a grading rubric. b) Paralegal Internship The Paralegal Internship is offered twice a year during Fall and Spring Semesters. The students are required to assess their skills at the completion of the experience. c) Graded assignments Graded assignments are used periodically throughout the legal specialty courses and varying depending on the particular course. d) Graded assignments using rubrics Most legal specialty courses provide grading assignments using rubrics. The assignments are given periodically throughout the semester based on what the instructor has determined and communicated via the syllabus to the students. e) Course Maps

9 Course maps are used for each legal specialty course to determine which goals and objectives are being assessed through the particular course. Course maps are updated based on course revisions. f) Course Matrix A course matrix was developed based on the program curriculum to determine when and where program goals and objectives were being met. The course matrix is updated whenever there is a curriculum revision. 2. Analysis of Data Depending on the assessment tool utilized, either the program coordinator is responsible for creating appropriate assessment summaries or analysis or it is completed by the College s Office of Assessment. A detailed report of summary findings around each of the program goals identified above will be generated. 3. Reporting of Assessment Data This brief report will be disseminated to faculty and Advisory Committee upon completion. 4. Faculty/Advisory Committee Discussion of Assessment Data and Action Planning After introducing the assessment data, the program coordinator will identify a number of important areas for follow-up discussion at the subsequent faculty and Advisory Committee meetings. A limited action plan would then be developed for approval so that the degree of work could be assessed and some tasks could begin relatively quickly. 5. Taking Action Based on Assessment Data In general, it would be expected that these items would be areas of emphasis for the balance of that academic year and the program coordinator, faculty and/or Advisory Committee could undertake feasible action consistent with the proposed actions and resolutions. It is expected that any alterations to existing policies, processes, or area or program curricula would proceed at a pace consistent with the degree to which they are prioritized within an action plan.

10 As the process unfolds across years it is anticipated that updates on past items and introduction of new items would become part of the presentation of data and subsequent discussion each meeting. VI. Findings The Paralegal Program has implemented findings as a result of assessment. Many times the assessment reveals that the program is effective.