Oak Book College of Law

The dramatic increase in demand for paralegals is well-known today among those within and outside the legal profession. Promising careers are available to persons who can provide law firms with the knowledge and skill of a competent paralegal. In response to the growth of this profession, numerous paralegal and legal assistant courses are now being offered across the country. With the proliferation of such programs nationwide, it has become necessary to reevaluate what elements are really necessary in the education of a paralegal.

Today, there are many attorneys who recognize that providing legal advice is but one aspect of their calling. Individuals who seek an attorney's services often have significant personal and spiritual problems related to their legal dilemma. These attorneys need individuals who can not only offer assistance in the legal aspects of the problem but who can also give valuable input to the attorney in solving clients' personal problems. This is particularly true in smaller firms and among sole practitioners.

Oak Brook College takes a different approach to the method of paralegal training. In contrast to many other paralegal programs, Oak Brook College emphasizes a Biblical perspective and approach to the responsibilities of a paralegal. The aim of this program is to be as practical as possible, teaching students the basic substance of law and the practical procedures of a legal practice. To that end, this training utilizes correspondence methodology rather than the traditional classroom setting. By incorporating current technology into the training program, students gain the essential skills to locate, organize, and communicate information for effective law office management.

The Paralegal program provides students with an overview of the American legal system, training students in the basic skills of legal research and writing, and giving them a working knowledge of the fundamentals in several areas of law. Although no prior legal experience is required, exposure to a law office and basic concepts of American law will prove to be helpful to the student, both in completing the course and in finding employment upon completion of the program.

How does it work?

The Oak Brook College Paralegal Program is an online, one or two-year certificate program that qualifies a student to take the Certified Legal Assistant exam upon successful completion of the program. Each year is divided into four eleven-week quarters. Classes start in February and September each year.

Courses topics include counseling and legal ethics, legal philosophy, writing and reasoning, and courses focusing on areas of substantive law. For each course students are provided with a list of required texts, which are procured separately. For each weekly lesson, the syllabus provides an overview of the subject matter, assigned reading and written assignments. Students are required to submit periodic assignments, which are reviewed and graded by the instructor. In most courses, students will also take a proctored final exam to complete their course grade.

Students receive access to our student website* where they can read their syllabi, listen to lectures, upload assignments, and have access to assignment and course grades. Students are free to contact the instructor if they have questions or experience any difficulty in their coursework.

To graduate with a paralegal certificate, the student must successfully complete all courses and submit all required documents, while maintaining the minimum required grade point average of 2.0 or higher, and have submitted quarterly reports evidencing the completion of at least 924 study hours per academic year (22 study hours per credit).

*Access to e-mail and high-speed internet is required.

One-year Program

Students enrolled in the one-year course take four courses in each quarter. Each quarter is broken down into 10 one-week lessons and one exam week. There is a one-week break between each quarter.

Two-year Program

Students enrolled in the two-year course take two courses in each quarter.  Each quarter is broken down into 10 one-week lessons and one exam week. There is a one-week break between each quarter and approximately a four-week break between academic years.

Notices

Oak Brook College of Law is a private, non-profit institution. The College has approval to operate the College’s Paralegal program from the Bureau for Private and Postsecondary Education (BPPE). Approval to operate means compliance with state standards as set forth in California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009.

Any questions a student may have regarding information on this website or in the catalog that have not been satisfactorily answered by the institution may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education at P. O. Box 980818, W. Sacramento, CA  95798-0818; http://bppe.ca.gov/; Toll Free Number: (888) 370-7589; Telephone Number: (916) 431-6959; Fax Number: (916) 263-1897”

As a prospective student, you are encouraged to review the catalog prior to signing an enrollment agreement. You are also encouraged to review the School Performance Fact Sheet, which must be provided to you prior to signing an enrollment agreement.

A student or any member of the public may file a complaint about this institution with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education by calling (888) 370-7589 or by completing a complaint form, which can be obtained on the bureau’s Internet Web site http://bppe.ca.gov/.

NOTICE CONCERNING TRANSFERABILITY OF CREDITS AND CREDENTIALS EARNED AT OUR INSTITUTION

The transferability of credits you earn at Oak Brook College is at the complete discretion of an institution to which you may seek to transfer. Acceptance of the certificate you earn in the Paralegal Program is also at the complete discretion of the institution to which you may seek to transfer. If the certificate that you earn at this institution is not accepted at the institution to which you seek to transfer, you may be required to repeat some or all of your coursework at that institution. For this reason you should make certain that your attendance at this institution will meet your educational goals. This may include contacting an institution to which you may seek to transfer after attending Oak Brook College to determine if your certificate will transfer.