Paralegal Studies Program
Mission, Goals & Objectives

The Paralegal Studies Program of NHCTC at Nashua, NH, has as its specific Program Goals and Program Objectives the following:

PROGRAM GOALS:

1. To provide its students and graduates with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes necessary to work effectively, competently, ethically and successfully as a paralegal/legal assistant in a law office/firm, corporation/business entity, government agency, or the public sector.
2. To ensure that the students are adequately educated in the fundamental and necessary principles of law in each of the specialty law courses, in the ethical rules and professional responsibility governing attorneys; as well as in the practical knowledge necessary for paralegals to work successfully in the field under the supervision of an attorney.
3. To ensure the Program is continuously and effectively responsive to the needs of the legal community in the education and training of paralegals.
4. To continually improve the quality of the Program: i) By and through regular institutional and Program assessment procedures; and ii) through its Paralegal Program Advisory Committee.

Rev. April 2006. Nashua Community Collegeand Prof. Robert A. Lubitz., Esq.

The Program Goals are all in connection with the Program Objectives, which are as follows.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

1. Continuously improve and maintain high academic standards in the Program to ensure our students are:
   1. Provided a well-rounded education which includes communication, quantitative, and analytical skills in addition to the knowledge of the law and legal field;
   2. Prepared to engage in factual investigation, legal analysis and reasoning, and legal research using traditional and technology based tools;
   3. Prepared to draft legal documents, forms, and follow legal procedures;
   4. Given an understanding of the purposes and functions of state and federal governments and court systems, and civil litigation and criminal procedures from inception of a case, through trial, judgment, and appeal;
   5. Given an understanding of their role as paralegals and how law is practiced in the various settings in which paralegals work, as well as the ethical duties and responsibilities of lawyers and paralegals for ethical conduct, ethical decision making, competence, and professionalism in the delivery of legal services;
   6. Taught proper and thorough interviewing of clients and witnesses, and taught effective written and oral communication skills with other persons the paralegal has contact with in the legal-professional work environment;
   7. Taught the alternatives to litigation and court proceedings, including mediation, and all forms of voluntary, mandatory, binding and non-binding arbitration;
   8. Taught the basic and necessary organizational skills and time management skills as they are applied in the legal profession, including filing, organizing, and categorizing documents and client files, calendaring, billing, prioritizing work, and using checklists for work done and to be done;
   9. Taught up-to-date skills and knowledge in technology utilized in the legal field, including the use of computers, data bases, and software for word processing, office systems, case management, case/trial presentations, and legal research;
   10. Trained in the job search process, from job research, through resume and cover letter preparation, interview preparation and skills, and interview follow-up.
   11. Taught an appreciation of different cultures, backgrounds, and traditions among different groups of people, and inculcate values of, respect for, and a real sensitivity to persons of backgrounds other than their own.
2. Secure the most qualified instructors and professors (practicing attorneys) whenever the need arises.
3. Keep all Program faculty informed about changes and trends in the legal field and the field of paralegal education, including significant changes and developments in the legal field and profession affecting the study concentrations of the paralegal courses to be taught to our students.
4. Provide our students with the most effective educational materials through regular review of all available texts in the legal specialty course concentrations; and through supplemental materials.
5. Continuously evaluate and up-date the adequacy of our library resources.
6. Assess the effectiveness of the Program's curriculum, objectives, and ability of the Program to meet the needs of the legal community through surveys of employers' needs and graduates' performance.
7. Augment the students' knowledge and career opportunities through valuable extra curricular activities, speakers and educational materials through our Student Paralegal Club.
8. Maintain uniformity of the subject matter and quality of education in legal specialty courses taught by all instructors.
9. Continuously assess the job market for paralegals while exploring and developing career opportunities for our students to be employed as paralegals.
10. Maintain a high level of success in our Paralegal Student Internship Program for student participation, placement and quality of internship positions available; maintain and expand the close relationships between the internship hosts in the legal community and the Program and Program Director; and maintain and expand the close relationships between the Program and members of the legal community, career placement firms, and other entities to maximize students' job placement.
11. Maintain and expand good relations with the organized bar and local paralegal associations in order to work collaboratively with these groups to improve and increase the awareness of utilization of paralegal services in the community.
12. Publicize the Program and secure the interest in, cooperation with, and support for the Program within the community at large.