Contact: Melissa Reifert
August 24, 2007

New “Happenings” for MECC Paralegal Studies Program

There are new opportunities on the horizon for students who pursue a degree or certificate in the Paralegal Studies Program at Mountain Empire Community College. This fall semester marks the first time that the program will be offered completely online. Paralegal students will still have the option to take courses in a traditional classroom setting, but now all classes within the program will be available through distance education.

MECC graduate Kimberly Ford can attest to the convenience of the online format. Ford, a legal secretary for the City Attorney’s Office in Danville, Virginia, was able to take a number of her Paralegal Studies courses this way.

“The online format for this program is excellent,” she says. “The instructors were well prepared, and always just an email or phone call away if you had any questions or problems. I never felt alone in my program, even though my classes were all online. I made some great new email friends.”

In fact, while “attending” MECC, Ford lived several hours away and therefore, never actually stepped foot on the campus. “I have never physically been to the college or met in person the teachers, but Ms. (Beth) Snodgrass, who taught all but one of my classes and was my advisor, was wonderful. I feel like she is a friend I have known for years.”

While Ford maintains she would recommend the program to anyone looking to obtain their paralegal degree, there are other current and upcoming “happenings” that may further draw interested individuals to the program. Currently, MECC paralegal students may take advantage of Westlaw, an electronic database used for legal research.

“Westlaw is great because after students get a passcode, they can access the information from home or wherever they are through any computer with the Internet,” says Snodgrass, Associate Professor of Paralegal Studies. “It makes it so much more convenient for them to do legal research. Plus, it’s great to be familiar with searching this type of legal database. It’s a good skill for paralegals to have.”

Also, according to Snodgrass, Paralegal Studies will join with the MECC Management Program in bringing a couple of special events to campus. The first event will be held on September 19 in the Goodloe Center, and will feature Equal Employment Opportunity Commission representative Billy Sanders from Greensboro, North Carolina. Sanders will discuss how the agency operates to investigate discrimination and sexual harassment claims. In late October, the two programs plan to bring an employer forum to MECC.

Paralegals provide specialized legal assisting knowledge and fundamental office technology skills in law firms, mortgage companies, banks, title insurance companies, and firms associated with the mining industry, private corporations, and government and administrative agencies. At MECC, individuals may begin their training in a one-year certificate program to gain basic office skills for entry-level positions, such as receptionists, keyboard operators, and file clerks.

Students who pursue a degree in Paralegal Studies will graduate with an Associate in Applied Science. These graduates can voluntarily sit for certified paralegal (CP) certification through the National Association of Legal Assistants.

“We (MECC) offer a review course,” states Snodgrass. “Students sit for the exam on campus. It’s a tough exam, but a distinguished title.”

The Paralegal Studies Program at MECC is a member of the American Association of Paralegal Educators. For more information, contact Snodgrass at (276) 523-2400, extension 257 or bsnodgrass@me.vccs.edu.

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