Paralegal Studies A.A.S.
Program Description
Paralegal Studies A.A.S. – Goals
The Paralegal Studies program prepares students for challenging and diverse careers in private law practices and in the
law-related areas of business, industry, and government. The goals of the Paralegal Studies program are to enable
students, through theoretical and practical legal education, to understand the function of law, to work as paralegals in
the effective delivery of legal services, and to enhance the legal profession. This program is designed to equip students
with skills to analyze legal issues and to perform a variety of activities including drafting legal documents, interviewing
clients, conducting legal research, and preparing cases for trial. Students utilize current technology through Internet
research and legal and general office software applications. Paralegal Studies students receive the necessary legal
training to take advantage of new career opportunities in all sectors of the economy. Students are exposed to the
principles of legal ethics and are cautioned regarding restrictions against the unauthorized practice of law by
laypersons.
The Associate of Applied Science degree is awarded upon successful completion of the program.
Curriculum & Faculty – faculty expertise and representation in scope and sequence
The Paralegal Studies faculty members are all licensed Montana attorneys. There is one full-time Associate Professor who
is the program director and two part-time adjunct Instructors. Faculty members are experts in their respective areas and
design appropriate curriculum to strengthen student’s technical and applied knowledge.
Tom Stanton, J.D. is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College of Law and Tufts University. Prior to entering law
school, Mr. Stanton worked as a paralegal at the law firm of Sidley & Austin in Chicago, IL. Prior to moving to Montana,
Mr. Stanton practiced law with the firm of Mason, Slovin & Schilling and also as a solo practitioner in Cincinnati, OH. He
currently serves as an Associate Professor and as Paralegal Studies program director.
Teresa Thompson, J.D.
Colleen Dowdall, J.D.
Research and Creative Activities
Each faculty member has extensive experience in the practice of law including the areas specific to the classes taught.
Because COT faculty primarily teach (as opposed to publishing peer-reviewed research) , faculty focus on providing
students ‘real life’ examples and applied knowledge in the classroom setting.
Tom Stanton remains current in the legal profession by attending 15 hours of Continuing Legal Education per year as
mandated by the Montana State Bar Association. Mr. Stanton is also a guest speaker for the Montana State Bar and the
National Association of Legal Assistants. Mr. Stanton has taught Certified Legal Asistant exam review course for the
Montana Association of Legal Assistants. Mr. Stanton regularly attends conferences hosted by the American Association
for Paralegal Education. Under Mr. Stanton’s direction, the Paralegal Studies program was reapproved by the American
Bar Association. He has served and chaired various university and college committees such as Faculty Library Committee,
the Continuing Enrollment Committee, and the Collective Bargaining Agreement Bargaining Team.
Aspirations/Opportunities
The law is a constantly expanding profession. As a result the demand for paraprofessionals in this field is ever increasing.
Part of the challenge facing the Paralegal Studies program is to remain constant with student skills development while, at
the same time, going the diversity of focused course offerings.
In the immediate future, the program will begin a comprehensive reassessment of mission, goals, and learning outcomes
to keep up with the rapidly expanding areas of law. Moreover, the program steadily relies on the input of graduates to
refine core areas of learning competencies.
In a longer term focus the program will seek to expand focused course offerings with the aspiration of one day offering an
interrelated degree opportunity or enhancement. Discussions concerning an additional AA degree through the program
have already taken place. Articulation agreements for course credit transfer between COT and departments on the
mountain campus are also underway.
Finally, the program actively encourages graduates to pursue the industry recognized Certified Legal Assistant designation
through the National Association of Legal Assistants. The program develops an underlying knowledge base to assist with
obtaining that designation.