Maryland Paralegal Associations and Information
Statewide Paralegal Associations
Maryland Association of Paralegals, INC. (MAP)
Description: The Maryland Association of Paralegals, Inc. (MAP) is a professional organization comprised of students enrolled in paralegal programs, practicing paralegals and entities interested in supporting the paralegal profession throughout the State of Maryland. Members of MAP have varying types of backgrounds, experience, education and job responsibilities which reflect the diversity of the paralegal profession. They work in all areas of law, both the private and public sectors, and some are independent contractors or freelance paralegals. MAP promotes the growth, development and recognition of the paralegal profession as an integral partner in the delivery of legal services. MAP is affiliated with the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc.
Contact:
Maryland Association of Paralegals
550 M Ritchie Highway, PMB# 203
Severna Park, MD 21146
Email: Maryland@MDparalegals.org
Website:http://www.mdparalegals.org/
Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA) Special Committee on Paralegals
Description: Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA) Special Committee on Paralegals was formed for the purpose of effectively representing Maryland’s paralegals, to promote the paralegal profession within the Maryland legal community, to promote professionalism within the legal community in general, and to support the continuing education and effective utilization of paralegals.
Contact:
Chair: Karen L Cook
Anne Arundel Community College
101 College Pkwy
# F202A Arnold, MD 21012-1857
Telephone: (410) 777-7370
Fax: (410) 777-7054
Email:kcook@aacc.edu
Website:http://www.msba.org/sec_comm/committees/paralegals/index.htm
Local Paralegal Associations
Maryland Association of Paralegals, INC. (MAP)
Description: The Maryland Association of Paralegals, Inc. (MAP) is a professional organization comprised of students enrolled in paralegal programs, practicing paralegals and entities interested in supporting the paralegal profession throughout the State of Maryland. MAP concentrates its activities in certain areas of the state like Howard County, Southern Maryland, Baltimore City, etc., and coordinates its activities in these areas through Area Coordinators. Members of MAP have varying types of backgrounds, experience, education and job responsibilities which reflect the diversity of the paralegal profession. They work in all areas of law, both the private and public sectors, and some are independent contractors or freelance paralegals. MAP promotes the growth, development and recognition of the paralegal profession as an integral partner in the delivery of legal services. MAP is affiliated with the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc.
Contact:
Maryland Association of Paralegals
550 M Ritchie Highway, PMB# 203
Severna Park, MD 21146
Email: Maryland@MDparalegals.org
Website: http://www.mdparalegals.org/
Paralegal Schools and CLE
Anne Arundel Community College (AACC)
Description: Anne Arundel Community College’s (AACC) Paralegal Studies program awards an AAS Degree or Certificate. The AAS degree is a 64-credit program with Litigation, Business, and General Practice options. The Certificate is a 31-credit program with Litigation, Business, General Practice and Nurse Paralegal options. AACC’s paralegal courses are taught by attorneys or judges who bring practical experience to the classroom. Additionally, students have access to the Maryland State Law Library, the Maryland Courts of Appeals and trial courts, and the Maryland Archives and the Maryland General Assembly. The heart of U.S. government, Washington D.C., is just one-half hour away.
Type of Institution: Public, 2 yr, ABA Approved.
Degrees Offered & Conditions: Associate of Applied Science, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate. Minimum length of time to complete program: Cert-31 credit hrs, AAS-64 credit hrs.
Internships: Elective
Contact:
Acting Director, Legal Studies Institute: Karen L. Cook, Esq.
101 College Parkway, F202
Arnold, MD 21012
Telephone: 410.777.7323
Fax: 410.777.7054
Email: kcook@aacc.edu
Website:www.aacc.edu/legalstudies
College of Southern Maryland
Description:College of Southern Maryland’s American Bar Association-approved paralegal program is designed to prepare graduates for careers as entry-level paralegals by providing substantive knowledge and practical skills necessary for entry-level paralegal positions in public, private, or business entities. Students learn critical thinking, organization skills, communication skills, legal research, legal writing, technology skills, interviewing skills, investigation skills, and management techniques that they require to be successful paralegals. Graduates are encouraged to continue their studies to earn a bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies or Legal Studies. Students who declare Paralegal Studies as their program of study must have a high school diploma or the equivalent. As an American Bar Association-approved program, students transferring into the program should note that at least 12 credits in legal specialty courses must be taken at the college.
Type of Institution: Public, 2 yr, ABA Approved.
Degrees Offered: Paralegal Studies Program
Contact:
Director: Alexis J. Owens
8730 Mitchell Road
P. O. Box 910
LaPlata, MD 20646-0910
Telephone: 301.934.7542
Fax: 301.934.7692
Email: aowens@csmd.edu
Website: http://www.Csmd.edu/academics/program/AAS.PARAL.ST.html
Community College of Baltimore County
Description: Community College of Baltimore County’s paralegal degree programs provide students with essential knowledge on jurisdictional issues; function of legislative, judicial and administrative bodies; structure of the court system; and the roles of attorneys and paralegals, as they pertain to the legal system. The course also covers the following fields: estate administration, personal injury law, civil litigation, contract law, criminal law, and business organization. Classes are offered during the day and evening in classroom settings and in limited availability online.
Type of Institution: Public, 2 yr, ABA Approved.
Degrees Offered & Conditions: Associate of Applied Science, Post-Baccalaureate or Post-AAS Certificate. Minimum length of time to complete program:
AAS-61 credit hours, Certificate-31 credit hours.
Internships: Mandatory
Contact:
Department Chair and Paralegal Program Coordinator: Donna Mandl, Esq.
Paralegal Studies Program
7200 Sollers Point Road
Baltimore, MD 21222:
Telephone: 410.285.9477
Fax: 410.285.9440
Email: dmandl@ccbcmd.edu
Website: www.ccbcmd.edu/soj/paralegal_options.html
Harford Community College
Description: The Associates of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies is a career program designed to prepare students for employment during or immediately after completing the course of study. The program consists of 62-64 credits. All of the general education requirements can be met by taking online classes. Paralegal courses are offered in classroom setting in both the day and evening. The Certificate in Paralegal Studies is designed to permit those students who desire to work in the legal field as paralegals, but who already have an Associates or baccalaureate degree, to earn a recognized credential that would enhance their ability to secure employment.
Type of Institution: Public, 2 yr, ABA Approved.
Degrees Offered & Conditions: Post-Baccalaureate or Post-AAS Certificate; Associate in Applied Science.
Internships: Mandatory
Contact:
Director: Weston Park
Paralegal Program
401 Thomas Run Road
Bel Air, MD 21015-1698:
Telephone: 443.412.2434
Fax: 443-412-2265
Email: wpark@harford.edu
Website: www.harford.edu/Catalog/Current/legal2.pdf
Stevenson University (f/k/a Villa Julie College)
Description: The paralegal curriculum combines law classes with liberal arts courses that emphasize practical paralegal skills, oral and written communication, critical thinking and technological skills. Classes are offered during the day and evening and in an accelerated format on the weekends. Many options are offered including a Bachelor of Science degree, AAS degree and a second Bachelor’s degree. There is also a degree focus and certificate Associate in Applied Science option in Nurse Paralegal designed for the registered nurse.
Type of Institution: Private, 4 yr, ABA Approved.
Degrees Offered & Conditions: Bachelor of Science, Associate in Applied Science, Upper Division in Nurse Paralegal
Internships: Mandatory
Contact:
Director: Hillary J. Michaud
Paralegal Program
100 Campus Circle
Owings Mills, MD 21117-7803
Telephone: 443.352.4072
Fax: 443.352.4190
Email: f-michau@mail.vjc.edu
Website: http://www.stevenson.edu/academics/paralegal/index.asp;
http://www.stevenson.edu/academics/accelerate/paralegal.asp
Chesapeake College
Description: The Associate of Applied Science degree program in Paralegal Studies was designed to prepare students for employment as paralegals or in other areas related to the practice of law, including benefits, patents, copyrights, estates, tax, bankruptcy, etc. The program design follows specific course guidelines recommended by the American Bar Association (A.B.A.). Title searches, legal research, maintaining estate records, assisting with real estate settlements, pleadings and litigation support are some of the expected duties of a paralegal.
Degrees Offered: Associate of Applied Science Degree.
Contact:
Ms. Cynthia Bennett
Chesapeake College
Wye Mills Campus
Historic Wye Mills
Routes 50 and 213
P.O. Box 8
Wye Mills, MD 21679
Telephone: 410-822-5400; 410-758-1537; 410-228-4360
Fax: 410-827-5875
Website: http://www.chesapeake.edu/admissions/proglist_id.asp?id=24
Frederick Community College (FCC)
Description: Frederick Community College (FCC) offers students two alternatives: Certificate, Paralegal Studies, which is a more condensed curriculum consisting of 33 credits of law-related courses, and the A.A.S. Degree, Paralegal Studies, which combines general education courses with specialized law courses to provide a wide variety of knowledge and skills. The primary goal of this program is to prepare the students for employment in the legal field. The student may choose to transfer course credits to a four-year institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
Degrees Offered: Certificate, Paralegal Studies & A.A.S. Degree, Paralegal Studies
Contact:
7932 Opossumtown Pike,
Frederick, MD 21702
Telephone: 301.846.2400
Website: http://www.frederick.edu/courses_and_programs/degree_law.aspx
Maryland Paralegal Blog
http://paralegals.uslegalblogs.com/category/states/maryland/
