January 6, 2011

Richmond Campus Selected As Areas Sole Testing Site For NALA Certification

By B&SC News Team

Richmond Campus Selected As Areas Sole Testing Site For NALA Certification

Bryant & Stratton College’s Richmond Campus has been selected as the metro area’s only site where paralegal studies students may sit for certification exams for the National Association of Legal Assistants’ Certified Legal Assistant or Certified Paralegal designations.

Richmond Campus Legal Studies Program Director Michelle Wilson said: “Selection of our campus as exam site for paralegal certification for our entire metro area recognizes the reputation for excellence our graduates are making among the region’s law firms and legal services agencies.

“Also, selection of our relatively small campus by NALA for testing is quite a compliment since we will draw participants from considerably larger institutions, including the University of Richmond and two large state community colleges, among others.

“Our campus’ paralegal studies curriculum is a ‘degree-plus’ program, which means that enrollees earn not only their degree but also receive our paralegal ‘Boot Camp,’ a unique program given three times a year to prepare candidates to take the certification exams. In addition to our own degree candidates — all of whom are automatically enrolled in the Boot Camp — paralegal students from many of the area’s other colleges and universities traditionally enroll as well.”

The Campus’ next Boot Camp to prepare for the certification exam will be offered in four sessions – Jan. 22, Feb. 12, March 12 and April 30. Each session is a Saturday between 9 a.m. and noon. NALA certification exams will be given in May at the Richmond Campus.

For further information on the program and how to enroll, contact Michelle Wilson at 804-745-2444 x. 450 or [email protected].

The Certified Legal Assistant and Certified Paralegal designations are coveted by law firms, corporate legal departments and legal services agencies because they know from experience that the CLA/CP designations mean they will be hiring the cream of the crop among paralegal graduates.

Bryant & Stratton College’s Richmond Campus has experienced double-digit percentages in enrollment growth for several consecutive semesters and is currently undergoing a expansion which will double its size. Also, the campus consistently places better than 90 percent of its graduates in jobs in their fields of study within six months of graduation. That plus career search advisement add up to the reputation for excellence among area employers that Richmond graduates experience.