Bunker Hill Community College Announces ABA Approval of Paralegal Program
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
The Paralegal Studies Program at Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) has been granted approval from the American Bar Association (ABA). The official recognition, on February 9, 2016, makes BHCC’s program one of just four community college-based programs in Massachusetts approved by the national association.
“This is a great achievement for the College and for the Paralegal Studies Program,” said James F. Canniff, Ed.D., BHCC Provost and Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. “A degree from an ABA-approved school makes our graduates more competitive and desirable in the job market.”
Since its inception in 2010 the BHCC Paralegal Studies Program has instituted a Paralegal Advisory Board and expanded its library resources to include an array of printed material along with access to WestlawNext and LexisNexis Academic. “Our extensive resources, along with the relevant legal courses we’ve added to the curriculum, have enabled us to meet or exceed the standards set by the ABA and ensure our students receive a quality paralegal education,” said Susan A. Atlas, Esq., LL.M, Associate Professor and Coordinator for Paralegal Studies.
The College’s program, which offers both a certificate and an associate degree, prepares students for legal employment by training them to assist lawyers in gathering and analyzing factual data, drafting correspondence, researching legal questions and preparing legal documents. Graduates of the program may decide whether to seek employment or further their education with a four-year degree.
The ABA is headquartered in Chicago. Its mission is to serve equally its members, its profession and the public by defending liberty and delivering justice as the national representative of the legal profession. The ABA is a national organization that offers resources to legal professionals and those who are interested in law-related issues. For more information, visit www.americanbar.org.
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About Bunker Hill Community College
With more than 50 years of academic excellence, Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) is Massachusetts' largest community college, annually welcoming a diverse community of around 16,000 students. With campuses in Charlestown and Chelsea, BHCC extends its reach across several locations in Greater Boston. The College offers associate degrees and certificates, early college and dual enrollment, community education, corporate training, and industry-specific training programs. BHCC is celebrated for its diversity, boasting a student body where 65% identify as people of color and more than half are women. The College also embraces a global perspective, with over 600 international students representing 90 countries and conversing in more than 65 languages. Our commitment to diversity is further reflected in BHCC's designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI).