Expand your opportunities

Paralegal Institute

Convenient classes in the

heart of downtown Pittsburgh

On the Cover: Mary Olson and David Gerber

Career opportunities for paralegals and legal assistants are expected

to grow an average of

through 2022

There has never been a better timeto become a paralegal

Why Duquesne?The legal industry is in a period of significant change. It is increasingly clear that success as a practicing paralegal depends upon receiving a comprehensive education in the field, one that responds to ever-changing needs of the legal profession.

Recognizing this important role in serving the legal community, the University’s Paralegal Institute is now part of Duquesne’s School of Law.

The ProfessionA paralegal or legal assistant is a person who performs specifically designated substantive work for which a lawyer is responsible. A paralegal is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, government agency, real estate company, or other entity.

Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.

Client and Witness Interviews

Legal Research

Drafting Correspondence

Handling Pleadings and Other Legal Documents

Participating in Real Estate Closings

Summarizing Discovery Documents

Responsibilitiestypically include:

Duquesne has prepared more than

professionals for paralegal careers over the past 30 years

Top-notch“Duquesne was the clear choice for my paralegal

education. Its faculty and resources are top-notch, and the faculty members clearly care about each student.”

Jennifer Lawyer,Paralegal Student

Job OpportunitiesThe U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that careers for paralegals and legal assistants are expected to grow an average of 17 percent through 2022, faster than the average of all occupations.

Duquesne’s Paralegal Institute offers you an in-depth educational program and the practical skills that will prepare you for your new career and opportunities.

Ann Foster,Paralegal

law school certificate programs in the country approved by the

American Bar Association

One of only

Evening Classes Evening classes meet four nights per week, Monday-Thursday, 5:30-8:30 p.m., for 11 weeks.

Intensive Summer TermThe summer program is a full-time intensive day format in which students can complete the entire program and earn a Certificate in General Practice in 12 weeks.

Summer intensive classes are held Monday – Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Evening classes continue with one class a week, 5:30-8:30 p.m. in the summer, although enrollment is for part-time students only.

The ProgramDuquesne offers a post-baccalaureate, noncredit certificate program that requires a bachelor’s degree for admission.

The School of Law program offers comprehensive training in essential research and writing skills, ongoing opportunities to expand critical thinking skills related to legal issues, and detailed information on the ethical responsibilities of paralegals.

After completing two-thirds of coursework in accordance with the highest academic standards, students are considered for membership in the prestigious National Paralegal Honor Society, Lambda Epsilon Chi. The honor society induction ceremony is held each December, an event attended by graduates, faculty, advisory board members, employers, and family members.

Fall TermSeptember-December

Winter TermJanuary-March

The summer term is a popular option. Seats are limited so early registration is strongly recommended.

Four Opportunities to Begin Your Studies

Program of Convenience

Spring TermApril-June

Summer TermJune-August

Two Law Libraries at Your ServiceStudents can tap into the extensive resources of Duquesne University School of Law’s two law libraries: the Duquesne Center for Legal Information in the School of Law in Hanley Hall, and the Allegheny County Law Library in the City-County Building downtown.

Possibilities“I am grateful every day for

the opportunity to participate in and complete Duquesne’s

Paralegal Institute program. So many doors are open to me and the possibilities are endless.”

Rachelle Vopal,Paralegal

Excellence“My time at the Paralegal

Institute was nothing short of amazing. The Paralegal Institute’s dedication to

academic excellence and career preparation allowed me to be immediately effective in the

legal field. Thanks to the readily available and helpful faculty, I was hired at a tremendous firm and gained academic

notoriety by way of winning the LEX scholarship.”

David G. Gerber,Paralegal

Internships Students may be placed in a paralegal intern position with a private law firm, government agency, court office, corporation, insurance company, bank, real estate company, community service agency, health care facility, or other appropriate office.

The term of the elective internship is 16 hours per week for 10 weeks. An additional classroom component of eight hours is held in four two-hour sessions during the evenings. Supervised by a licensed, practicing attorney and usually by a

practicing paralegal, the student will be both an observer and a participant in the operation of the assigned office. A student must have a minimum 2.75 GPA and have completed certain prerequisite courses.

Career ServicesStudents and program alumni can take advantage of a number of Duquesne’s career services, including access to the University’s job bank.

The Paralegal Institute faculty and staff also provide career guidance and support. In addition, the Institute shares postings by law firms, placement firms, businesses, and government agencies seeking paralegal candidates.

Prepare Yourself for Success

“Duquesne’s program has prepared me for my current job in a profound way. Through my class

work and meetings, I am head and shoulders above other paralegals who have not attended Duquesne’s program.”

Stefan Heidinger,Paralegal

Certificate Options Certificate in General Practice All Core Courses Five Electives

Certificate in Civil Litigation Concentration All Core Courses Civil Litigation I Commercial Contract Law Civil Litigation II Torts/Personal Injury Law Advanced Civil Litigation

Certificate in Corporate Law Concentration All Core Courses Commercial Contract Law Real Estate Procedures or

Intellectual Property Corporate and Business Law I Corporate and Business Law II Federal/State Securities Corporate Financing

Certificate in Estates Concentration All Core Courses Estates, Wills and Trusts Real Estate Law Corporate and Business Law I or

Healthcare Law Elder Law Federal and PA Death Tax

Certificate in Litigation Technology Concentration All Core Courses Civil Litigation I Civil Litigation II Advanced Civil Litigation Litigation Technology I Litigation Technology II

Curriculum

Tax Returns Public Policy, Governance and LawReal Estate LawTorts/Personal Injury Law

Core courses and electives or concentration courses can be taken at the same time. Ethical considerations and issues are taught throughout the curriculum.

Core CurriculumAll students are required to complete the following core courses:

Introduction to the Legal System and Paralegalism Professional Responsibility and Paralegal Practice Legal Research Methods Legal Writing and Case Analysis I Legal Writing and Case Analysis II

For proper sequencing, Introduction to the Legal System and Paralegalism should be taken at the beginning of the program. Legal Research Methods is a prerequisite for Legal Writing and Case Analysis I, the prerequisite for Legal Writing and Case Analysis II. Students do not, however, have to complete all core courses before taking other classes.

ElectivesAdministrative LawAdvanced Civil Litigation Advanced Legal Research Alternative Dispute ResolutionBankruptcyCivil Litigation I Civil Litigation II Commercial Contract LawCorporate and Business Law ICorporate and Business Law IICorporate Financing Criminal LawDomestic LawElder Law Environmental LawEstates, Wills and TrustsFederal and State Securities Law Healthcare LawInternshipImmigration Law and ProcedureIntellectual Property Laws and ProceduresLabor and Employment LawLitigation Technology ILitigation Technology II Pennsylvania Law in Oil and GasPreparation of PA Inheritance and Federal Estate

Promotion“My recent promotion

to supervisor is due in large part

to my education at Duquesne’s Paralegal

Institute.”

Lissette Maney,Paralegal

Earning Your CertificateA Paralegal Certificate is granted after the faculty has carefully evaluated your performance based on written and oral assignments, examinations and participation in class discussions.

The general certificate comprises a total of 33 CEUs. Courses required for the certificate are non-credit. The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a nationally recognized, standard unit of measurement that has been adopted for post-secondary programs and educational courses not carrying credit. Ten hours of in-class participation equals one CEU.

Tuition and ScholarshipsDuquesne University School of Law offers a paralegal education of the highest standards at a competitive rate. Students who earn a 4.0 GPA are eligible to be considered for the Genevieve A. Mealy Scholarship, the highest award given to a paralegal student. In addition, students are eligible for external scholarships through the Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX) scholarship of the American Association for Paralegal Education, and also for scholarships offered through the Pittsburgh Paralegal Association.

Academic Standards and Administrative PoliciesThe School of Law posts the Paralegal Institute’s academic calendar, academic standards, grading policies, refund policies, technology guidelines, and other administrative policies online.

Administration and FacultyThe Paralegal Institute is home to an outstanding group of administrators and faculty members. More than 30 professionals serve students through the year.

Administrators

Frank Yining LiuAssociate Dean for Legal Programs and

Professor of LawDirector of the Duquesne Center for

Legal Information and Allegheny County Law Library

Pamela J. BaileyParalegal Institute Program Director

ResourcesGPA are eligible to

be considered for the Genevieve A. Mealy

Scholarship, the highest award given to a

paralegal student

Students who earn a

Associate Dean and Professor Frank Liu

A Few of the 30+ Faculty Members

Donna Allen-RosemondSenior Attorney, Family Law Unit Neighborhood Legal Services Association, Inc. Course: Domestic Law

Bernie BehrendMediator, Attorney Behrend Mediation Services Courses: Introduction to the Legal System & Alternative Dispute Resolution

Michael BodnerAttorney Reed Smith LLP Course: Bankruptcy

Jody BurtnerSenior Paralegal Pepper Hamilton LLP Course: Intellectual Property

John HayesAttorney Juvenile Court Project Course: Civil Litigation I

Joseph P. NigroAttorney Nigro & Associates, LLC Courses: Legal Writing and Case Analysis, Real Estate Law, Torts and Personal Injury Law, and Pa. Law in Oil and Gas

Frank RauktisSenior Paralegal Cohen & Grigsby, P.C. Courses: Corporate and Business Law, and Federal and State Securities

Orlando SodiniAttorney Thompson, Calkins, & Sutter Courses: Estates Wills and Trusts, Elder Law, and Federal and Pa. Death Tax Preparation

Dennis ZawackiAttorney Zawacki and Hughes Course: Commercial Contract Law

Faculty

Other FacultyRead about all of our faculty members and the courses they teach online.

Students are eligible for external scholarships through the Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX) scholarship of the American Association for Paralegal Education

Pam BaileyParalegal Institute Program Director and Faculty Member

Download the application at duq.edu/paralegal or call 412.396.1643

Write a letter of interest to accompany your application describing your background and educational or career goals.

Request your official college or university transcript and have it mailed to the Paralegal Institute directly. “Issued to Student” transcripts will not be considered.

Schedule an admissions interview with the program director.

Questions? Find out if you can attend the next Paralegal Institute Open House or email, call, or visit the office with your questions. We look forward to meeting you!

Paralegal Institute Office705 Libermann Hallparalegal@duq.edu 412.396.1643

Mailing Address Paralegal InstituteDuquesne University School of Law600 Forbes AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15282

Approved American Bar Association

Voting Member American Association for Paralegal Education

Applying is Easy

There’s never been a better time to become a paralegal. And applying to Duquesne University School of Law’s Paralegal Institute is easy.

duq.edu/paralegal

ABA-Approved“As a stay-at-home mother who was looking to return to work, I decided to update my skills and return to school at the

only ABA-approved program in the region — and it was right here

in Pittsburgh. This wonderful program enabled me to learn the skills needed to start my

paralegal career.”

Robin Westwood,Paralegal

The University is committed to the principles of equal educational and employment opportunity

for all qualified persons. The University is further committed to nondiscriminatory human relations in the classroom and workplace, without regard to the person’s race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic

history, Veteran status, or disability.

Paralegal Institute