
College offers Ventura County鈥檚 only Paralegal Studies Program with American Bar Association Approval
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Oxnard, Calif. (Sept. 12, 2023) 鈥 听Oxnard College鈥檚 Paralegal Studies Program recently received the prestigious approval of the American Bar Association (ABA). Graduates from ABA-approved programs are highly sought after by legal employers and professional organizations seeking to hire paralegals. The ABA鈥檚 approval followed an intensive review and on-site evaluation during the spring semester, with final recognition coming recently from the organization鈥檚 House of Delegates, which acted on the recommendation of the group鈥檚 Standing Committee on Paralegals.听
鈥淥xnard College鈥檚 Paralegal Studies Program is among our region鈥檚 finest and most reputable,鈥 shared Dr. Oscar Cobian, interim president of Oxnard College. 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud that our paralegal studies graduates will now be able to proudly point to the American Bar Association鈥檚 seal of approval while advancing their careers here in Ventura County and throughout the country.鈥澨听
Oxnard College鈥檚 Paralegal Studies Program was first launched in 1980 and includes an Associate Degree and Certificate of Achievement. The program prepares students to become paralegals with responsibility for assisting attorneys for trial or arbitration, researching existing laws, and performing a moderate degree of investigation. The program鈥檚 experienced faculty have served as attorneys and paralegals at leading law firms, corporations, and public sector organizations. The Paralegal Studies Program is also among several educational pathways included in Oxnard College鈥檚 new PACE initiative, helping working adults in paralegal studies complete their degrees in as little as one year. 听
, the principal aim of the organization鈥檚 approval process is 鈥渢o foster high-quality paralegal education and training and the development of educational standards鈥 and that the organization鈥檚 efforts have helped lead 鈥渢o the development of superior paralegal education programs designed to raise the competence of those individuals who assist lawyers in the delivery of legal services.鈥听
鈥淲e at Oxnard College are excited that the American Bar Association鈥檚 approval will increase the marketability of our paralegal graduates in the workforce,鈥 shared Dr. Isaac Rodriguez, dean of Career Education at Oxnard College. 鈥淚鈥檇 like to thank the outstanding faculty, classified staff, and administrators whose efforts to secure this designation have ensured our community has a local and affordable ABA-approved Paralegal Studies program right here in Ventura County.鈥 听
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The ABA鈥檚 approval takes effect immediately and is set to last through August 2030. For information regarding Oxnard College鈥檚 Paralegal Studies Program or its ABA approval, visit or contact James Schuelke at 805-678-5275 or jschuelke@vcccd.edu.听听