Written by Margaret Phillips, director of Paralegal Studies, and associate professor at Daemen University

Benefits of studying Paralegal Studies

If you are interested in law, consider the time-tested career benefits of majoring in paralegal studies.

As the undergraduate study of law taught by experienced and practicing lawyers, paralegal studies teaches you how the legal system works. This includes: the courts, lawsuits, common legal vocabulary, and more. In addition, you learn how to perform legal research and legal analysis.

The Paralegal Studies Department at Daemen University offers both a bachelor of science (B.S.) in paralegal studies and a certificate in paralegal studies. Overall, we center your classes on concrete legal tasks. This includes skills you will use after you graduate—that are continually sought by employers.

Your professors are practicing lawyers who work at many types of law firms and government agencies in Buffalo and throughout Western New York. With a dedication to the profession and decades of experience, we prepare our students for their careers ahead.

Also, we make ourselves available to mentor you, write letters of recommendation, and assist with your classwork.

When asked about his experience at Daemen, paralegal certificate student Peter Howell said, “All the professors are extremely approachable and eager to help students begin their legal careers.”

“They provide a valuable network to help land internships and jobs to start a career,” added Howell.

A profession—not just a job

To be clear, there is significant demand locally, regionally and nationally for paralegals.

Additionally, legal employers often reach out to me to help fill job opportunities. I share these with current and former students. Many have found work this way.

For example, that is true for James Perry, who is earning his paralegal certificate from Daemen University.

“I recently secured a position as a paralegal with a major law firm that came about as a result of one of my professor’s willingness to help me out professionally,” Perry said. “The professors are one of the most valuable resources in the Daemen program.”

Additionally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the labor market for paralegals will grow by 10 percent through 2029—a rate much higher than the average for other professions.

Daemen’s paralegal studies program ranked 17th in the nation—based on the high employment rate of our graduates and the students’ praise of the program.

“A Daemen graduate goes into the world with real usable skills, not just textbook learning,” said Perry. “In most of the courses, you get to deal with actual cases.”

Extracurriculars

Some of the opportunities students have in our program for active and fun learning include:

• Networking nights with graduates of the program, attorneys and judges in the legal profession;
• One-day legal clinics in which paralegal student volunteers work under the supervision of an attorney to help clients “expunge” or “get rid of” low-level marijuana convictions;
• A course called the “paralegal clinic” where students work in housing court and family court under the supervision of attorneys;
• “Paralegal Night,” an event where students hear about different types of legal careers;
• Internship class, where students gain hands-on experience working on a legal team and witness first-hand what paralegals and lawyers do.

In conclusion, think paralegal, think Daemen!

For more information on how to apply, check out the Paralegal Studies program page at Daemen.