College is the only Higher Educational Institution in Southwest Louisiana to Offer a Paralegal Credential
Lake Charles, Louisiana – Monday, March 25
SOWELA Technical Community College will offer a new Paralegal Studies Concentration as part of its Business Administration degree program beginning Fall 2024. Its development directly responds to industry demand for a highly skilled paralegal workforce. According to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, paralegals are a four-star job due to a combination of salary, educational requirements and job market outlook. SOWELA’s concentration is the only paralegal training program in Southwest Louisiana.
“SOWELA is always responsive to the needs of employers in the region so when the request was made for paralegal graduates, the College began the process of program creation which included the interaction with legal experts who could provide insight on the specific competences that needed to be included in such a program,” said SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall. “This close connection with our business/industry partners is the key to successful program implementation and successful longevity. Another great example of education working with business/industry to produce a qualified and talented workforce.”
SOWELA faculty worked closely with several local attorneys to develop the curriculum for the Paralegal Studies Concentration. Courses include Litigation Procedures, Law Office Technology, and Legal Research and Writing, among others. Students must become a Louisiana Notary and intern in a local law office.
“Southwest Louisiana has a critical need for highly trained paralegals within our legal community, and we’re very pleased to see SOWELA rise up to meet that need,” said Adam Johnson, Partner at The Johnson Firm. “Through collaboration with local attorneys, the architecture of the curriculum, including the requirement of an internship, we have every confidence the program will equip students to enter the legal field prepared, immediately able to bring value, and with that, positioned for competitive compensation and benefits. This is a win for everyone in Southwest Louisiana, and SOWELA’s timing couldn’t be better.”
Paralegal Studies is the fourth specialty option for the Business Administration degree, including Hospitality Management, Office Administration and General Business.
SOWELA’s Business Administration program offers students a well-rounded business education that equips them for entry-level administrative or supervisory positions. Students receive instruction in foundational business areas, such as marketing, management, ethics, personal finance and accounting. Many courses are transferable to four-year universities. Paralegal Studies is available at the Main Campus in Lake Charles, La.
For more information, visit Business Administration or contact the One Stop Enrollment Office at (337) 421-6550 or onestop@sowela.edu. Fall 2024 registration begins Monday, April 8. Scholarships and financial aid are available for those who qualify.
About SOWELA Technical Community College
SOWELA Technical Community College provides traditional, distance, and lifelong learning experiences and awards associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates. The College empowers learners in career and technical education and enables transfer students to pursue a four-year degree, so all learners excel as globally competitive citizens. The College has been educating the region’s workforce for more than 85 years.