Paralegal Program

The paralegal degree program at Oakton Community College teaches students to perform legal research, as well as drafting, investigatory record-keeping, and other administrative functions related to the legal system. Students who graduate the program will perform these functions under the supervision of an attorney or in a court and will gain instruction from the program in legal research, drafting legal documents, appraising, pleading, courthouse procedures, and other legal specializations. Get more details below including other Illinois colleges that offer paralegal program.

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Oakton Community College

5500 N Saint Louis Ave, Chicago, IL

Oakton Community College is a two-year post-secondary school with two convenient locations for students living in the Chicago, area: the main campus is located about 20 miles northwest of Chicago in Des Plaines, and the newer, Ray Hartstein Campus is about 15 miles north of Chicago in Skokie. As community colleges go, Oakton is rather large, with an enrollment of almost 11,000. Despite its size, administration is focused on fostering a personal, intimate environment; most classes top out at around 14-15 students. Oakton’s main campus offers a surprisingly sophisticated variety of programs in the fields of art, science, and business, to name just a few.  Associate and certificate programs are available in nearly 80 areas of study.

At OCC, cultural enrichment abounds. Students can visit the campus museum to view the works of high-profile artists based in Chicago. The performing arts center and writer’s series are also a source of school pride. Oakton’s extracurricular clubs cater to a broad variety of tastes, affording students opportunities to make friends and share personal interests in their free time. In response to a culture that is more aware of health and fitness, the college has launched Student Health 101, an online interactive health journal, where students can log on and ask health-related questions.

Oakland’s tuition rates are competitive, coming in thousands of dollars below average U.S. college and university tuition rates, and financial aid is available to qualified students. Individuals wishing to apply for admission should contact the admissions office for details. With its broad range of certification and degree programs, personalized instruction, and reasonable tuition rates, Oakton Community College is an educational value for today’s students.

Students Enrolled in the Paralegal Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Oakton Community College has offered the following academic levels for students:

• Less Than One Year Certificate
• Associate's Degree

Students by Academic Level (2019)

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Description

Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, paralegals and legal assistants employment is expected to grow at a rate of 7.6% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 8
  • Average Hourly Rate: $24.86
  • Average Annual Salary: $51700
• Gary, IN Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 410
  • Average Hourly Rate: $21.79
  • Average Annual Salary: $45310
• Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 350
  • Average Hourly Rate: $29.38
  • Average Annual Salary: $61100

Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers

Description

Search real estate records, examine titles, or summarize pertinent legal or insurance documents or details for a variety of purposes. May compile lists of mortgages, contracts, and other instruments pertaining to titles by searching public and private records for law firms, real estate agencies, or title insurance companies.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, title examiners, abstractors, and searchers employment is expected to shrink at a rate of -0.3% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 960
  • Average Hourly Rate: $19.64
  • Average Annual Salary: $40850
• Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI Metropolitan Division
  • Average Hourly Rate: $16.94
  • Average Annual Salary: $35240

Legal Support Workers, All Other

Description

All legal support workers not listed separately.

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).