A "W" grade is recorded when a student officially withdraws from a class. "W" grades are not computed into your GPA at Whatcom. ‘Legal assistant and ‘paralegal’ are synonymous terms according to California Business & Professions Code (B & P Code) sections 6450-6456. Core themes: Achieving Success. The transfer degree you pick will likely depend on what type of major you’re preparing for. Also, many departments do not accept S/U grading to meet departmental course prerequisites. Employers may prefer this as well. Not all certificate programs are recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA) and not all of these programs are accredited. Learning doesn’t end at the classroom for students in Whatcom’s paralegal studies program. Whatcom computes the GPA with the highest grade point value for any course that is repeated. However, some colleges and universities (like Western Washington University) will calculate the "V" grade into your GPA. In addition to this work, GAP offers networking, job board, pro bono community service and social opportunities to its members. Under the guidance of the paralegal studies program coordinator, Street Law @ WCC is a service to provide legal advice and counsel for all currently enrolled Whatcom students (and community members) while also creating opportunities for paralegal studies students to … Note: Core course requirements are listed alphabetically within the degree and certificate templates, not necessarily in the order they should be taken. Street Law @ WCC is offered in fall, winter, and spring quarters. Check with the college or university you plan to attend if this is an issue for you. These standards encourage minimum educational levels for new paralegals, national certification for experienced paralegals, continuing legal education for all paralegals, and a high code of ethics. A paralegal is eligible for taking such an exam through a combination of education and professional experience. This rule requires lawyers to supervise their assistants and to accept responsibility for the professional conduct of these assistants. in any subject plus a Paralegal Certificate from an ABA approved program or an accredited institution. Under Georgia’s Rule 5.3, paralegals are considered legal “paraprofessionals” who may be employed as non-lawyer assistants. Website Design by Granicus - Connecting People and Government, Website questions or comments? Many universities will not accept S/U grades for courses which are used to meet general university requirements if transferred outside of the AAS degree. One "W" grade is not usually a problem but a pattern of "W" grades may influence your ability to transfer to the college or university of your choice. California paralegals are concentrated throughout the states urban areas, including the Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Francisco regions. National certification is a way for paralegals to demonstrate their proficiency in their field and to distinguish themselves from their peers. There are two types of certificate programs: those that offer certificates to those with no previous education and those that require that applicants have previously earned a bachelor’s degree in any subject. Unfortunately, there is no magic number, but a good GPA does impact your ability to be admitted to certain universities and certain programs. Check with the college or university you plan to attend before you repeat a course. While the largest concentration of its members is in the metro-Atlanta area, GAP works to include and represent paralegals from throughout the state. Selecting and preparing for a major while you’re at WCC can help to strengthen your university admissions application. National Certification. Employers may prefer this as well. If you are in doubt as to why you received a "V" grade, you should contact your instructor. The Georgia Paralegal Association encourages entry level paralegals to choose programs through accredited schools or those with ABA recognition. It is far better to enroll for less credits and complete them successfully than to enroll for more credits than you can handle. Whatcom Community College. These students polish their skills and knowledge in service to the community through their participation in Street Law @ WCC. Associate in Science (AS) - Paralegal Studies The program provides students with the knowledge and skills for entry into paralegal careers in public or private law offices and law-related agencies. Law firms employ the majority of paralegals in the state. However, in 1995 the Virginia Alliance of Paralegal Associations created guidelines to help employers determine if a person is qualified to work as a paralegal. Four-year schools have varying admission deadlines. As law firms are top-employers of paralegals, it can be helpful to contact them for employment requirement information and job opportunities. Check out the “How to pick a major” link to the right. Teichert Law Office. How will my Whatcom Community College credits transfer? (360) … What grade point average (GPA) will guarantee that I am admitted to the university of my choice? Even though Massachusetts has not standardized training or education requirements for paralegals, some paralegals choose to become nationally certified paralegals.