For the student who wishes to begin work immediately, this program offers a fast tract to beginning your legal career. All core legal courses such are taught and great emphasis is placed on basic writing and computer skills which are necessary skills to get you started in your law office career.

Salary and Employment Information

Imagine being an important member of a legal team. You can loin 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.

Jobs are available and salaries are extremely competitive. The labor Department has put out the following statistics about jobs and salaries in the Paralegal field.

Anticipated Growth

The U,S. Department of Labor anticipates an 85% growth in Paralegal positions from 1992 to 2005 and the U.S. Department of Labor predicts the need for Paralegals 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 Paralegal can expect to earn $18.00 to $22.00 an hour in the first year in the Los Angeles area. (Department of labor), Legal Assistant Today.
• Salaries vary by your geographic location, the size and specialty of your employer and the amount of on-the-job-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 ranges from $38,543 to $42,00 (Money Magazine, Legal Assistant Today).
• According to a nationwide salary survey conducted by Legal Assistant Today, the West leads the way in average annual paralegal, followed by the Midwest ($32,960), Eastern region ($31,426) and Central region ($30,166).
• The average annual pay raise is 6.3%. as well as bonuses. Flextime options are available to 33% of respondents)
  * These figures vary depending on the geographical areas.

Employment Qualifications

A diploma in Paralegal Studies qualifies a graduate to work in the following areas: the paralegal graduate may assist the attorney in every aspect of Litigation including initial interview with the prospective client, formulating legal theories for the attorney, structuring the "Cause of Action" for filling and serving of papers as well as working with attorney in every aspect of Discovery.

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 45 quarter units consisting of 450 hours. The cost per unit is $66.58 for a program cost of $2,995 plus $250.00 for books and materials. Multiple financial aid options available.

Graduation Requirements