This program is for the students who wish to broaden their legal knowledge beyond the paralegal. This program awards three diplomas: Paralegal, Legal Assistant and Lexis. . It includes the entire paralegal program, legal research and writing, understanding the language of the law called "I RA C” plus learning the basic software that is utilized in every law office.

Salary and Employment Information

Imagine being an important member of a legal team. You can join America's fastest growing career field working in a professional environment. You will playa key role in the legal process, facing new challenges daily. Your work will be diversified, taking you from the office to the law library to the courtroom. Jobs are available and salaries are extremely competitive. The labor Department has put out the following statistics about lobs and salaries in the Paralegal field.

Anticipated Growth

The U,S. Department of Labor anticipates an 85% growth in Legal Assistant positions from 1992 to 2005 and the U.S. Department of Labor predicts the need for Legal Assistants in the legal system will continue to grow at a much faster rate than other occupations for the next 10 years.

Salary Ranges

• The beginning Legal Assistants can expect to earn $42, 000 in the first year in the Los Angeles area. (Department of labor, published 1993, Volume 116 number 11), Legal Assistant Today, or Love of Money Jan/Feb. 1977,
  Salaries vary by your geographic location, the size and specialty of your employer and the amount of on-the-lob-experience you have.
• According to a recent national survey, Paralegals and Legal Assistants across the U.S. are enjoying a steady rise in their earnings. The average salary has gone from $29,584 to $38,543 (Money Magazine, 6/93 Legal Assistant Today, Jan, Feb. 1997).
• According to a nationwide salary survey conducted by Legal Assistant Today, the West leads the way in average annual paralegal salaries ($38,543), followed by the Midwest ($32,960), Eastern region ($31,426) and Central region ($30,166). (For Love or Money, Jan/Feb 1997),
• The average annual pay raise is 6.3%. 620/0 of survey respondents receive bonuses. Flextime options are available to 33% of respondents)
  * These figures vary depending on the geographical area.

Employment Qualifications

INLAND VALLEY UNIVERSITY Diploma in Legal Assistant Studies qualifies a student to perform duties above and beyond a paralegal. Because computer software packages and the Internet are increasingly used to research law and cases stored in computer databases and on Lexis and Westlaw programs, the student is much more prepared in the areas that require computer literacy & skills. In litigation involving many supporting documents, paralegals may use computer databases to retrieve, organize and index various materials. Imaging software allows paralegals to scan documents directly into a database, while billing programs help them to track hours billed to clients. Computer software packages also may be used to perform tax computations and explore the consequences of possible tax strategies for clients.

Admission Requirements

All prospective applicants should visit the school facility. During the visit our representative will give a tour of IVU and provide detailed information on our programs and policies, and discuss the applicant's qualifications to meet their career objectives. At this time the applicant will be given the facts and figures relating to our Financial Assistance Programs. Should an applicant request to transfer credits, an official transcript must be provided at least one month prior to enrollment to allow for review.

Requirements

In order to be admitted, a prospective student must:

1. Provide evidence of high school graduation, G.E.D. completion or the approval of the Director.
2. Pass a standardized test given to all applicants for all IVU programs.
3. Complete enrollment interview.
4. Execute the following documents:
   a. Application form, b. Enrollment Agreement, c. Course Request form, d. Financial Assistance form (if requested)
5. Complete orientation session
   Upon successful completion of the above conditions the student will be formally .admitted.

Tuition and Fees

This course is a total of 65 quarter units consisting of 650 hours. The cost per unit is $61.46 for a program cost of $3,995 , books and materials are included. Multiple financial aid options available.

Graduation Requirements