A Paralegal Program on Top of the World: The University of Alaska Fairbanks Paralegal Studies Program
By Devon Pryor
Why not train to become a paralegal in a classroom at the very top of the world? The University of Alaska Fairbanks in Fairbanks, AK, sits on more than 360 million acres in a spectacularly picturesque locale close to Denali National Park and only 150 miles south of the Arctic Circle. Part of a network of campuses scattered throughout Alaska's vast expanse, the University of Alaska Fairbanks boasts the geographically northernmost paralegal program anywhere, giving new meaning to the notion of staying on top!
And the view from the top is nothing short of dazzling. At the school's main campus in Fairbanks, dramatic and breathtaking views of Mount McKinley make quite an impression. The Fairbanks campus, in central Alaska, is accompanied by campuses in Dillingham, Bethel, Kotzebue, and Nome. University of Alaska Fairbanks is a public institution offering an Associate of Applied Science degree through its paralegal studies program. The program takes an average of two years to complete, but the university may honor previously completed course units if they are relevant to the area of study and are college-level.
The paralegal studies program at University of Alaska Fairbanks is offered by the Tanana Valley campus in the Fairbanks area. The program provides training for students who wish to become paralegals, as well as continuing education and skill development resources for practicing paralegals in the local community. Paralegal classes are also open to students who are focusing their studies on other law-related areas, such as political science or justice, allowing these students to gain practical knowledge that is pertinent to their future careers. The paralegal studies program at University of Alaska Fairbanks is approved by the American Bar Association. The typical class session in the program is comprised of only 15 students and taught by an adjunct professor who practices as a paralegal or as an attorney in the local community. This gives students in the program opportunities to learn from those with whom they will likely find employment after completion of the program.
Professor Ed Husted, the only full-time faculty member for the paralegal studies program, agreed that the program's small class size is conducive to one-on-one instruction and the formation of a closely knit learning environment. Husted noted that a large portion of the student population, about 25% to 30%, is comprised of military students from the Air Force and Army bases nearby. Husted explained that the rest of the students are locals, and most of them stay in the Fairbanks area after graduation to build professional careers in the local community.
The primary degree offered through the paralegal studies program at University of Alaska Fairbanks is the A.A.S. or Associate of Applied Science degree. Required courses for this degree include classes in computer applications, introduction to paralegal studies, civil procedure, legal research and writing, introduction to American government, politics, judicial process, constitutional law, and institutions and governmental powers; additionally, each student must complete a mandatory internship. Each student also takes five elective courses, which can be chosen from a list that includes classes on issues such as family law, torts, probate law, business organization, employment and administrative law, and other special topics. Rather than obtaining the associate's degree, students can choose to minor in paralegal studies, although this does not necessarily permit them to practice as paralegals. The paralegal studies minor requires students to take an introduction to paralegal studies class and five elective courses—a total of 18 units.
According to the program website, the objectives of the paralegal program at University of Alaska Fairbanks are to train students under supervision of licensed professionals, to provide continuing education for professionals, and to allow other students to gain practical law-related experience by making its courses available to students of other majors. Students in the program develop strong written and oral communication skills in tandem with paralegal knowledge. Computer skills, as they apply to the paralegal profession, are also emphasized in the program. Academic advisors at the school can help students devise the best course plans, and the Student Assistance Center provides resources such as tutoring, counseling, financial aid, and "college survival skills."
Employment opportunities in the surrounding community are more numerous than one might expect. Not only do students have opportunities to build relationships with the adjunct professors who may someday employ or work alongside them, but also many of the law practices in the community rely almost entirely on graduates of the University of Alaska Fairbanks paralegal program to staff their offices. As the school's website explains, successful completion of the program guarantees employment opportunities in Fairbanks, and graduates are well-prepared to seek employment elsewhere in the country. The program coordinator and faculty advisory committee actively assist graduates with finding employment in Fairbanks and keep in touch with local lawyers and government offices, which they can contact when helping students find jobs.
And when there is time to relax, students and faculty alike can sit back and enjoy the most spectacular light show on earth, the Aurora Borealis, which can be observed right from the classroom windows.
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