EMU Today

YPSILANTI – The American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates, acting on the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Paralegals, reapproved Eastern Michigan University’s paralegal program as an ABA-approved program.

The ABA’s approval process for paralegal education programs is designed to foster high-quality education, training, and the development of educational standards to raise the competence of individuals who assist lawyers in delivering legal services. 

“I congratulate the faculty and students in our paralegal program for this important milestone,” said Mohamad Qatu, dean of the GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology. “This is an important step in our pursuit of academic excellence in our college,” he added.

The reapproval process, which happens every seven years, involves an intensive review of self-evaluation reports prepared by the paralegal program and an on-site evaluation of the program to verify that it complies with ABA Guidelines for the approval of paralegal education programs.

Elizabeth Donovan, professor and coordinator of the paralegal program at EMU, said the process, which began with the preparation of a reapproval application in spring 2021 and culminated with a three-day site team visit in fall 2022, required the input and cooperation of many individuals and offices at EMU, as well as engagement with the site team by students, alumni, staff, faculty, administrators and members of the Paralegal Program Advisory Committee.

“I am grateful to all who contributed to and participated in the reapproval process,” said Donovan. “The result achieved speaks to the quality of EMU’s paralegal program, which serves students who obtain jobs in law firms, government agencies, and not-for-profit organizations, as well as students who go on to law school or other graduate programs. The knowledge and skills gained through an EMU paralegal major are sought by employers and recognized by educational institutions.”

A paralegal curriculum must help students develop professional competence to earn ABA approval. The school’s instructional methodology must ensure interaction between students and faculty, offer meaningful and prompt feedback, and provide practical assignments designed to develop real-world skills.

The curriculum must also respond to the changing requirements of the legal community and must regularly be evaluated and improved to ensure those evolving needs are being addressed.

For more information about EMU’s Paralegal program, visit the program website.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.