The nearly 30 year-old Northern Essex Community College Paralegal Program recently received reapproval from the American Bar Association (ABA) for another seven years. It is one of just six ABA approved paralegal programs in Massachusetts.

The American Bar Association, through its Standing Committee on Paralegals, has promoted the role of the paralegal as a vital member of the legal services delivery team for more than 30 years.

The approval process consists of several stages, including the preparation of a self-evaluation report and supporting documents, review by educational consultants, a site visit to the program, and consideration by the Standing Committee on Paralegals Approval Commission.

Students were first admitted to the Northern Essex Paralegal Program in 1983. The program was first approved by the ABA in 1988. To date, more than 600 students have graduated from the NECC Paralegal Program.
Graduates work in all areas of the law including criminal, family, real estate, corporate, insurance, administrative law, personal injury, bankruptcy, and immigration.

Northern Essex offers both an associate degree and certificate in paralegal studies. For information on the Paralegal program go to https://www.necc.mass.edu/academics/courses-programs/areas/paralegal/
or contact Judith Ciampi at jciampi@necc.mass.edu or 978-738-7409.