Paralegal Studies Named One of Country’s Most Affordable Programs

By | January 25, 2022

Paralegal Studies at Daemen College has gained national recognition as one of the most affordable programs of its kind.

Margaret Phillips

The ranking – 33rd in the country – was given by University Headquarters, an independent educational organization.

Ranking factors include tuition cost, retention rate, graduation rate, graduate employment and more. 

“Our track record speaks for itself: Daemen paralegal graduates have a 95 percent placement rate in legal positions within six months after graduation,” said Margaret Phillips, associate professor of paralegal studies and director of the program. 

“Our graduates conduct substantive legal work in the private and public sector – and many attend law school and graduate school,” she added. 

A program apart

Daemen offers the only American Bar Association-approved paralegal program in Western New York – a clear indicator of its high-caliber, Phillips said.  

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 12 percent growth in the field before 2030 – much higher than the average for all occupations in the U.S. That equates to more than 43,000 job openings per year, on average, according to the federal bureau.

“There is a higher-than-average need for paralegals in Western New York, and I am contacted on a weekly basis by law firms, hospitals, corporations, and the courts who are all looking for paralegal graduates from our program,” said Phillips.

“There has never been a better time to become a paralegal,” added Phillips, a practicing attorney who has been active in the Buffalo legal community for 30 years. “And few programs can compare with Daemen’s.”

Daemen offers both a four-year bachelor of science in paralegal studies, and a paralegal certificate that graduates can complete in a year. 

A certificate made simple

Any Daemen student of any major can earn the seven-course Paralegal Certificate – enhancing their job prospects upon graduation. 

“Our certificate has also proven popular among people who already have a four-year degree – in any subject – and want a one-year program with night classes that will enable them to work in the legal profession,” Phillips said.  

The program also offers courses taught by practicing attorneys who are experts in their field, field-trips, networking opportunities, clinics and internships, as well as one-on-one advising and mentoring.

University Headquarters states: “affordable colleges and universities may offer programs that are just as valuable as those offered by big-name and Ivy League colleges. ‘Valuable’ being the vital word; not expensive.”