Students may now earn the Paralegal Studies Associate Degree online at Savannah Technical College with courses offered virtually. Students are encouraged to do their internship/practicum in person at a legal office.  

“We offer a student-centered program that meets students where they are,” said STC Paralegal Studies Department Head Debra R. Geiger, Esq. “Online classes allow students to manage their lives to balance family and work while pursuing a degree. Technology advancements allow us to do so much more from home or a remote location. Not even the pandemic has impeded our students’ ability to continue their education.” 

According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for paralegals and legal assistants in the U.S. was $50,940 in May 2018. The bureau predicts that employment in these types of jobs will increase by 12% between 2018 and 2028, which is significantly higher than the average projected job growth rate of 5% for all U.S. occupations.  

There is an increasing demand for paralegals with legally pertinent tech skills. "This includes client file security, electronic filing in cases, digital forensics, and electronic evidence discovery and preservation. Some of the most lucrative jobs are in this field,” said Geiger.  

She said there are a lot of jobs available for those who only choose to pursue a two-year degree, where the cost of education is relatively inexpensive. "One can make a good living as a paralegal with a two-year degree,” said Geiger. “The affordability and convenience of technical education allow people to continue their employment while pursuing advanced training.”  

STC’s Paralegal Studies Associate Degree graduates have a 100% placement in field (AY2019) and are in demand with area law offices. 

Courses taught by licensed, practicing attorneys. Department Head Geiger practiced law in Georgia for several years and was elected national president (three-year term) of AAfPE in 2019. Previously, she served a three-year term on AAfPE’s board of directors.  

Students gain real-world experience through volunteering under the direction of their instructors to apply what they’ve learned. For example, students research legal questions for indigent Georgia citizens in need of legal help through the American Bar Association’s Free Legal Answers Virtual legal advice clinic and provide document preparation assistance to pro se litigants seeking to file for divorce through the Family Law Resource Center. 

The program prepares students for a career in the paralegal profession. The knowledge and skills emphasized in the Paralegal Studies program include ethical obligations; research in state and federal law; legal correspondence preparation; family law matters; basic concepts of real property law; criminal law and procedure; civil litigation; substantive contract law; and wills, trusts, and probate. Paralegals, also called legal assistants, work closely with attorneys, judges, prosecutors, or public defenders. Paralegal Studies is open to adults, along with high school students through dual enrollment 

The College is an institutional member of the American Association of Paralegal Education (AAfPE). This is the highest level of membership for AAfPE. The College also has its own Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX) National Honor Society for Paralegals chapter. 

Students are encouraged to apply by Friday, December 11, 2020, the priority deadline for Spring 2021. Classes begin January 13, 2021. Visit: www.savannahtech.edu/paralegal-online or contact Geiger at 912.443.5715 or [email protected] for more information about the program or to start training for a career as a paralegal.