Paralegal program in NJ’s top three

Brookdale Community College has been voted the state’s third Best Paralegal Education Provider in the New Jersey Law Journal’s The Best of 2013 survey. The survey annually solicits opinions in a number of law related categories from its 30,000 to 40,000 readers each August through November.

Brookdale, which received the Bronze Award, was the only community college to be recognized. Other recipients included Fairleigh Dickinson University, which received the first-place Gold Award, and Montclair State University, receiving the second-place Silver Award.

The New Jersey Law Journal provides legal news and information, reaching nearly two-thirds of the state’s practicing attorneys, according to its publisher, ALM. Seventy percent of its subscribers are litigators.

“It’s impressive for us to be on the list,” said Mike Sullivan, director of the Brookdale program. “The two other colleges named are located in North Jersey, where there are larger law firms and a much bigger voting base. It is a clear indication that the community we’re sending our graduates to is satisfied with the education we’re providing.”

The Paralegal Studies program at Brookdale is one of 20 in New Jersey and one of 12 approved by the American Bar Association. It was established in the 1980s. It prepares students for immediate job placement as a paralegal working under the supervision of a lawyer in a law office or in a government, corporate or private sector legal setting.

The department offers an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree program as well as an academic certificate program designed for those students with an existing degree. The A.A.S. program is transferable to Rutgers University’s Liberal Studies bachelor’s degree program offered by the New Jersey Coastal Communiversity or to other select bachelor’s programs.

Additional information on the Brookdale Community College Paralegal Studies Department is available by contacting 732-224-2944.