NEWS
NORMAN, OKLA. – The Department of Paralegal Studies at the University of Oklahoma College of Law was recently granted reapproval from the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Standing Committee on Paralegals. This distinction, granted every seven years, makes OU’s Department of Paralegal Studies one of only three paralegal programs approved by the Standing Committee on Paralegals within the state.
"The reapproval demonstrates that OU’s Paralegal Studies Program meets the ABA’s stringent requirements for program design and administration,” Sunny Rowland, director of OU Paralegal Studies, said. “Beyond the program’s alignment with ABA standards, graduates gain added marketability from the program’s ABA approval status.”
Students who graduate from the program receive a paralegal certificate. Through the program, students acquire practical and technical skills and basic legal theory knowledge. Upon completion of the program, which ranges from months to two years, graduates typically work with lawyers in the public sector, private law practice and more.
OU’s Department of Paralegal Studies offers students flexibility through online and synchronous classes. This further demonstrates one of the pillars of the university’s Strategic Plan for access and affordability to all while highlighting the department’s goal of providing foundational knowledge to students. The ABA requires at least nine credits to be synchronous hours – which allows students to join live classes via Zoom.
"Our students benefit from the flexibility of synchronous and online courses, allowing them course modalities that best fit their personal and professional obligations,” said Leslee Roybal, program coordinator of OU Paralegal Studies.
The Department of Paralegal Studies first received ABA approval in 1978. Since then, more than 800 students have graduated from the program. To learn more about the OU Law Center’s Paralegal Studies program, visit law.ou.edu.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. OU was named the state’s highest-ranking university in U.S. News & World Report’s most recent Best Colleges list. For more information about the university, visit ou.edu.
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