Be sure to work with an Inver Hills counselor to create a transfer plan.
Current articulation agreements:
- Hamline University: Legal Studies B.A.
- Winona State University: Legal Studies Law & Society B.S.
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Be sure to work with an Inver Hills counselor to create a transfer plan.
Current articulation agreements:
Offer quality, practical coursework in a synchronous online format, which includes a paralegal internship.
Paralegals and program graduates do not practice law or give legal advice unless permitted by law.
The Inver Hills Paralegal program has received American Bar Association (ABA) approval since 1978. Our ABA approval is very important to us! Out of approximately 1,200 paralegal programs across the U.S., less than 300 are approved by the ABA.
Attorneys, paralegals, legal administrators, employers, and recruiters all respect the ABA and its stringent guidelines for competent paralegal education, and look to our program to fill their employment needs for paralegals and legal support professionals.
Note: Students must take at least nine (9)︎ semester credits of legal specialty courses through traditional live classroom instruction under American Bar Association Guidelines.
Paralegal students who complete the required curriculum qualify for an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree or a Postgraduate Paralegal certificate (prior college degree required for the latter).
As s student in our program, you’ll receive an ABA-approved educational program and assistance with preparation for your job search, including a secure job website.
This program provides the education needed to work in the following occupations:
If you have been arrested, charged, or convicted of any criminal offense, you should investigate the impact that the arrest, charge, or conviction may have on your chances of employment in the field you intend to study or on your chances to obtain federal, state, and other higher education financial aid.
The paralegal internship program is designed to provide the student with on-the-job experience in the paralegal profession. The goal is to help our students find an opportunity to apply what they learn in the classroom to today’s working world.
Although the internship must be flexible to meet the needs of the student intern and the practice of the supervising lawyer, the following are the broad objectives of the internship:
The student participates in 180 hours of nonpaying, or in some cases paying, work experience in a supervised legal environment for which the student receives two (2) credits. After attending an informational session and submitting a cover letter and resume to the paralegal intern faculty for approval. Working with the internship faculty, the student locates an internship site based on the individual student’s interest. The student applies for an internship, submitting a cover letter and resume to the potential internship site and waits for an interview.
The work schedule is arranged between the supervisor and the student. The supervisor’s evaluation determines a portion of the student’s grade in addition to other required coursework. The final grade for the internship will be given by the Paralegal program coordinator once the student completes the internship hours and assignments, and submits all required documents.
The internship should be devised and administered so as to provide the intern with eight broad opportunities:
This area might also include contact with and interviews of persons other than clients.
It is understood that each legal internship site may have different opportunities for the student intern. Therefore, the Paralegal program coordinator will confirm with the internship supervisor how the above opportunities will be met, which may include the use of hypothetical assignments to accomplish the objective.
Please attend an internship meeting or contact the Paralegal program coordinator. Paralegal interns have found placement in a large number of sites in the following legal areas:
For more information contact the Paralegal program coordinator.
Welcome to the Paralegal program online courses brought to you by the hard work and dedication of the paralegal program faculty, coordinator, and staff at Inver Hills Community College. Our online initiative was funded by an E-Learning Curriculum Grant from the Minnesota State colleges and universities. A big thank you goes to Minnesota State!
With our online Paralegal program, you can experience the excellent, quality learning that was only found in our traditional classroom-based education and now is delivered over the internet to you. All of the paralegal courses are offered through a hybrid, online, synchronous or asynchronous format, making your education planning more convenient and flexible.
Most of our courses are synchronous, normally meeting via Zoom, an online meeting platform, once every other week. Asynchronous courses may require you to meet via Zoom several times during the semester.
Students must take at least nine semester credits of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.
All communication is conducted over D2L Brightspace, a learning management system, through the Inver Hills website.
Our online Paralegal program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), North Central Association, and the Minnesota State college and universities system.
The online paralegal classes in our program are the same as the traditional courses and appear as such on your transcript. These courses are part of the required curriculum and count toward the Associate in Science (A.S.) degree or Paralegal certificate.
The online paralegal courses are not self-paced. You will need to attend classes, read texts, prepare and submit assignments and projects, engage in group discussions, and take exams at regularly scheduled due dates and times. It is fine to work ahead, but be mindful of deadlines and group discussion requirements.
Some students come to an online class with preconceived notions that the class can be taken at their own speed in their own time frame. The online Paralegal program classes meet at a set time every week for lectures, activities, or discussions.
Online classes in the Paralegal program are intense, college-level courses.
For each credit, expect to spend:
As an example, for each 3-credit class, expect to spend:
Plan ahead and turn your work in on time. This is the number one problem for an online student! Review the course syllabus and create a calendar with highlighted due dates and intense workload days.
Students must assess into ENG 1108 to take PA 1102 – Introduction to Law and Contracts, and complete ENG 1108 to take PA 2222 – Legal Writing and Analysis.
We strongly recommend that you have basic keyboarding skills to be successful in our online/hybrid paralegal program courses. You should be able to type at least 45 words per minute, and understand how to use the internet, compose an email, and create a Word document. You will earn the National Society of Legal Technology Certificate through the paralegal internship coursework.
Each instructor determines the weight and makeup of the course grade. The syllabus will explain the grading system. Most assignments require original responses and group discussions as well as participation, and timeliness in submission. You will be given instructions by your teacher on how, when, and where to take your exams.
Your instructor will give you directions on how and when to access your grades. Final grades will be submitted to the Records Office and will be posted two (2) to three (3) weeks after the end of the semester or summer session.
Any required texts or materials will be listed on the course syllabus and can be ordered through the college bookstore. Go to the Inver Hills Bookstore for books for your courses. Find the semester, Paralegal program (PA), and the number of the course, i.e., PA 1102.
A list of the required and optional textbooks, course packs, and materials will be available through the Inver Hills Bookstore located on the first floor of the College Center. Hours vary so call ahead to be sure the bookstore is open at 651-450-3533.
Orientation for the paralegal course are offered live, in-person or online via Zoom. Part of the orientation process to the online course will include taking a tutorial that will familiarize you with D2L Brightspace, our course management system.
Instructors are available by email, phone, or during office hours either on campus or via Zoom. Instructors will give out their information at the orientation, first class session or on the syllabus.
Technical support is available through the Inver Hills – Online Course Information link. Request technical help with your D2L Brightspace class.
Inver Hills Community College – Paralegal Program requires the following for transfer of Paralegal course work from other institutions to our program.
Students must complete a minimum of 20 semester credits at Inver Hills Community College of paralegal (legal specialty) curriculum course work. (No more than 10 paralegal (legal specialty) curriculum semester credits can be transferred into the paralegal program from an outside institution.)
In order for credits to transfer, they must have been earned at a school accredited by a regionally and/or nationally accrediting agency. However, the paralegal program may decide not to accept nationally accredited credits towards the requirements. Courses with a grade of “D” or lower will not transfer to Inver Hills if the cumulative grade-point average from that institution is lower than 2.00 or may not be accepted by the paralegal program depending upon how long ago the credits were taken. Only accepted credits will be recorded on the official Inver Hills Community College transcript.
The Paralegal Program has specific credit transfer requirements for paralegal courses. Students must prepare a petition for transfer of paralegal credits that shall be reviewed and approved by the Director of the Paralegal Program unless the Paralegal Program has documented prior approval of the paralegal course transfer.
The following paralegal transfer credits are reviewed and approved as follows:
ABA approved college legal/paralegal specialty credits are transferable if they meet substantially the IHCC Paralegal Program curriculum credits.
Paralegal/legal courses for possible transfer must be substantially the same courses in content and application focus as the paralegal courses at Inver Hills. The Paralegal Director reviews and compares the prior college course descriptions, outlines, and/or syllabi supplied by students and the paralegal courses at Inver Hills to determine if the course to be transferred meets the transfer criteria. The Director awards final approval of the paralegal student’s petition.
Paralegal/legal courses from specialty areas from technical colleges are not transferable for legal specialty credits in the paralegal program (i.e. – real estate course for real estate law for paralegals).
Business Law is not transferable for Introduction to Law and Contracts or UCC and Business Organizations. Business Law is a general informational business law course whereas Introduction to Law and Contracts or UCC and Business Organizations are courses that review applied aspects of business law for paralegals.
Student must provide documentation that will show what format the intended paralegal transfer course was taken such as traditional (face-to-face), online, hybrid, accelerated, compressed or other. If documentation cannot be provided, the Program Director has the discretion to not accept the potential transfer of paralegal credits.
Also, students must take at least nine (9) semester credits of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction under American Bar Association Guidelines. The Director of Paralegal Program has the right to decline transfer of paralegal course credits if the student is unable to meet the minimum required credits of traditional classroom instruction.
Inver Hills Community College – Paralegal Program does not award legal specialty credit by examination or portfolio to ensure that the quality and integrity of the program are maintained.
Feel free to contact the Program Director with any questions at chyara.stopp@inverhills.edu.
Inver Hills Library
Your access to the Inver Hills Library catalog. Go to the Inver Hills Library to obtain your Inver Hills library card.
American Bar Association Minnesota Association of Law Libraries (MALL)
Great site for an all-inclusive guide to legal information in Minnesota
FindLaw
Excellent general legal researching site without a fee
The State of Minnesota Law Library
Search Minnesota court decisions–1996, municipal ordinances, case law
Minnesota Municipal Ordinances
Minnesota towns, cities and counties have made some or all of their local laws available
LawMoose
Great Minnesota and Wisconsin legal site
The State of Minnesota Law Library: Legal Topics
Directory of Minnesota law libraries
Supreme Court of the United States
Explore the United States Supreme Court, the justices and their caseload at this valuable site
Minnesota State Legislature
Guide to Minnesota law containing the Minnesota Constitution, Minnesota statutes and session laws, legislation and bill tracking, Minnesota rules, Minnesota Attorney General opinions, Minnesota Appellate Court opinions, Minnesota Court rules and more
The Office of the Revisor of Statutes
Search a statute section
Minnesota.gov
Minnesota Department of Commerce
Minnesota Judicial Branch
Minnesota Appellate decisions–current, Minnesota Court rules, Minnesota court forms, extensive subject list for non-attorneys
The Office of the Minnesota Attorney General
Constitutions, Statutes, and Codes—Cornell University Law School
United States Code—Office of the Law Revision Counsel
Congress.gov
Federal legislation
Guide to Administrative Law—Library of Congress
Code of Federal Regulations—U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO)
United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
United States District Court District of Minnesota
Minnesota Paralegal Association (MPA)
Fantastic link to your local paralegal career and a great association to join at a reduced rate as a paralegal student. Wonderful networking, legal mentoring, job bank, and special event calendar to enhance your paralegal opportunities
American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE)
Get in touch with the AAfPE through this fabulous website
National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)
Excellent link to the NFPA
National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
Introduction to the paralegal scene nationwide
Paralegal Today (Incorporating Legal Assistant Today)
Independent magazine serving the paralegal community
American Bar Association (ABA)
Informative site on the ABA Standing Committee on Paralegals with wonderful articles and resources to enhance your paralegal education
Minnesota Bar Association (MSBA)
Features Paralegal Section; excellent organization to join at reduced rates; exciting paralegal seminars and events sponsored throughout the year
American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc.
Minnesota Continuing Legal Education
Great place to find legal seminars or materials for a given area of law; attorneys use this site extensively to maintain their continuing legal education requirements
Minnesota State Bar Association Find a Lawyer Directory
National Paralegal College (NPC)
ProJusticeMN
Links to Pro Bono opportunities; requires joining
Minnesota Paralegal Association (MPA)
Contact: Pro Bono Opportunities
National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. (NFPA)
Pro Bono category in main horizontal header
“How to Utilize Legal Assistants on Pro Bono Publico Programs”
By the American Bar Association (ABA)
Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis
Children’s Law Center of Minnesota
Ramsey and Hennepin counties direct representation of foster care children; statewide policy and supreme reform
Civil Society — LawHelpMN
Farmers’ Legal Action Group
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Minnesota
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS)
Housing Justice Center
Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
Central Minnesota Area Legal Services
Washington County, Minnesota Legal Aid & Pro Bono Services — Justia Lawyers
Legal Assistance of Dakota County, Ltd.
Judicare of Anoka County, Inc.
Legal Services State Support
Battered Women’s Justice Project
Tubman
Hennepin County District Court
Hennepin County Attorney
Hennepin County Public Defender
Ramsey County Attorney
Ramsey County Family Court Self-Help Service Center — LawHelpMN
Ramsey County District Court
Indian Child Welfare Law Center
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
Clinics at the University of Minnesota Law School
Legal Services Clinic at the University of St. Thomas School of Law
Minnesota Aids Project
Minnesota Disability Law Center — LawHelpMN
Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA)
Volunteer Lawyers Network (VLN)
Minnesota Guardian ad Litem Board
The Advocates for Human Rights: Minnesota
Minnesota American Indian Bar Association (MAIBA)
Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers (MABL)
Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association (MHBA)
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA)
Minnesota State Law Library: Diversity
Women of Color Toolkit— American Bar Association (ABA)
“Early Exits”
Good article from the ABA Journal about women in the profession
“Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance.” —Association of Legal Administrators (ALA)
“Charting Our Progress: The Status of Women in the Profession Today”
ABA report on the status of women in the legal profession