WHARTON Have an in -
terest in the legal system? Then Wharton County Junior Col - lege's Paralegal Studies program is the place for you. Housed at WCJC's Richmond campus, the program offers a two-year associate of applied science degree for students in terested in assisting attorneys in a variety of public and private legal settings. Graduates find employment in law offices, gov -
ernmental departments, district attorneys' offices and freelance
paralegals.
"The WCJC Paralegal Stud - ies program is a great start for students interested in the law or seeking to eventually attend law school," said Dr. Erma Hart, pro - gram director of WCJC's Parale - gal Studies program.
Courses include immigration law, family law, torts and per - sonal injury, contracts, wills and civil litigation. Students learn the ins and outs of legal research, le - gal document drafting and office technology.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment
of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow by four per - cent from 2022 to 2032. The me - dian annual salary for paralegals and legal assistants is more than $60,000.
WCJC's program is one of only 13 in the state to be Amer - ican Bar Association approved. Hart has served as program director since 2007. She is a li censed attorney in the state of Texas and formerly practiced criminal and family law. Classes are currently offered online and at WCJC's Richmond campus. For more information, vis - it the college's website at www. wcjc.edu or contact Hart at [email protected]. Registration for the fall semester is now under -
way, with classes beginning on Monday, Aug. 26.
