History and Mission

 

Recognizing a need for quality legal assistant training, New York Paralegal was created to meet this need by offering the finest and highly diversified curricula, designed by attorneys and legal professionals to meet the complex demands of law firms and other legal departments.

 

The school's mission is to prepare students for productive and satisfying careers as paralegals, through quality instruction combining academic theory with practical application, designed to provide each student with the requisite knowledge and skills to obtain potential employment as a legal assistant.

 

To achieve its mission, the school is committed to the following objectives:

 

1.         To provide a supportive learning environment that will maximize each student's learning potential,

 

2.         To offer quality school programs, courses and schedules, regularly updated to reflect the current and future needs of the job market,

 

3.         To maintain the quality school facilities and resources, as well as competent and skilled teachers, each specialists in their fields of instruction,

 

4.         To promote confidence, poise, and communication skills in each student, in turn, making them valued employees.

 

Law Library

 

The school's online law library provides industry leading online legal research databases, consisting of current federal and state statutes, case books and digests; treatises and hornbooks; law reviews and journals; legal form books; as well as numerous other legal publications and periodicals.

  

Books and Materials

 

Students at New York Paralegal receive all their required online textbooks and materials as part of their total tuition.  These books and materials are distributed to students at the start of each of their courses. 

 

 

Lifetime Placement Assistance Service

 

The school provides all students successfully completing its programs and in good standing a lifetime career counseling and job placement assistance service.  The school’s Placement Office contacts corporations, law firms, financial institutions, governmental agencies and courts to assist its students and graduates in their job search efforts.

 

The Placement Director provides resume drafting assistance and maintains a resource library containing career planning, job search and employment materials for students and alumni registered with the Placement Office and in good standing with the school.

 

Although committed to assisting its students in achieving their career goals, the school cannot promise or guarantee employment or an employment interview to any student or graduate, since the ultimate responsibility for securing employment rests with the individual student and graduate.

 

Refer to the Placement Office Registration and Guidelines section of these Rules and Regulations for further information regarding our placement assistance service.

 

Internship Programs

 

Internships programs are available to qualified students enrolled in school internship programs with companies, law firms and government agencies.  Interning allows students to add valuable practical experience to their academic training, while providing resume building material, and thus may enhance their prospects for ultimate employment as a legal assistant.

Tuition and Fees

 

In General

 

Students are required to pay the total amount of the program tuition in advance of the first class session, unless otherwise agreed in writing.  Students failing to make any tuition payment when due may be subject to: late payment charges and/or collection fees; suspension from attending classes or taking examinations; denied use of the school’s facilities and services; withholding of their grades, transcripts or certificates; or dismissed for such nonpayment.

 

Deferred Tuition Payment Plan

 

Under the Deferred Tuition Payment Plan, after making an initial down payment on their program tuition, students make scheduled payments under the terms of an installment agreement throughout the length of the school program until fully paid.  Students failing to make timely deferred tuition payments under the terms of their installment agreement may be subject to late payment charges and/or collection fees, and may be denied use of the school's facilities and services, have their transcripts or certificate withheld, or dismissed for such nonpayment.

 

Company-Paid Tuition Plans

 

Many companies and law firms pay or refund the tuition costs for their employees seeking continuing education and employment advancement.  The school provides special, individually designed billing plan arrangements to meet the needs of employers and their employees.

 

Methods of Payment

 

New York Paralegal accepts checks, money orders, travelers cheques, and major credit cards toward payment of tuition and fees.

Registration Fee

 

A $100 nonrefundable registration fee is paid to the school upon the student's enrollment. 

Transcripts

 

An official transcript will be provided to students in good financial standing with the school upon program completion.  Additional official transcripts are available within five (5) business days upon written request and payment of a $10.00 fee per transcript.  Unofficial transcripts will be provided to students at no charge within three (3) business days.

 

Students are responsible for payment of transcript fees connected with obtaining any required official transcripts from previously attended schools.

 

Withholding of Transcripts and Certificates

 

Transcripts and certificates will not be released to students who have outstanding financial obligations to the school.

 

Returned Checks, Lost Book or Material Charges

 

A $20.00 fee will be assessed for all returned checks.  Students are responsible for all textbooks and materials they accept from the school.  Students requesting replacement of any required books or materials, must pay the school for the cost of such replacement.

 

School Hours and Academic Calendar

 

The school is normally open 24/7 for attending classes.  Customer and Technical services are available during normal business hours, 9 am to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday.  Customer and Technical Services, unless posted on our website as otherwise, will not be available during the following holidays and recesses:

 

Martin Luther King's Birthday                                      President's Day                       

Memorial Day and Weekend                                       Veterans Day

Independence Day                                                      Thanksgiving Eve through Weekend

Labor Day and Weekend                                             Christmas Eve through New Years Day

 

Clock Hours and Class Sessions

 

Each class session clock hour consists of at least 50 minutes of instruction.  In programs where two (2) class sessions are offered each day, there will be at least a one (1) hour break between class sessions.

 

Nondiscrimination Policy

 

It is the policy of New York Paralegal not to discriminate in its educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid programs, employment practices and other school-sponsored activities because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, national or ethnic origin, age, or handicap.  The school's placement facilities are available only to employers whose practices are consistent with this policy.

 

Standards of Conduct and Dress

 

New York Paralegal prepares students for employment in the business world.  Students are therefore expected to exhibit proper business conduct while attending classes.  While enrolled at the school, students will be held to a high standard of conduct, and are expected to respect the interests and rights of fellow students and staffpersons.  Any form of verbal or physical abuse, violence or profanity, harassing, threatening, malicious or disruptive behavior towards another student, perspective student, school staffperson or the school itself, online or offline, stealing or purposely abusing school facilities or equipment, by any student is strictly forbidden, and will subject the student to immediate probation, suspension or dismissal at the school’s discretion.   

 

Students texting or talking to each other during a teacher's lecture is extremely disrespectful and disruptive, and will subject such students to probation.  Any repeat violations by such students may result in dismissal.

 

Additionally, the following suggested standards of dress have been developed as guidelines for student and teacher appearance while attending internship classes:

 

Males are requested to wear:  suits or sports jackets; slacks (not jeans); dress shirts (long or short sleeve), and dress shoes.

 

Females are requested to wear: suits, blazers, or dresses; dress shirts, blouses or pants (not jeans), and dress shoes.

 

Code of Ethics and Discipline

 

Academic dishonesty, misrepresentation or cheating by any student involving course work or perspective employment will not be tolerated and must be reported to a school official immediately.  Any student guilty of breaching this school Code of Ethics is subject to immediate dismissal.

 

New York Paralegal reserves the right to place on probation, suspend or dismiss any student who fails to comply with the school's rules and regulations set forth in this catalog.  Further, probationary students failing to comply with the school’s rules and regulations by the end of the prescribed probationary period may be dismissed.

 

Any student disagreeing with a school determination of probation, suspension, or dismissal, may make a written appeal to the Academic Dean.  The Academic Dean's decision on the appeal is final.

 

Copying or Recording of Lectures is Strictly Forbidden

 

Students are not permitted to record, embed, copy or share school lectures in any form, for any reason. Such conduct by a student, their family, friends, co-workers, employers or anyone associated in anyway with the student is strictly forbidden, and will subject the student to immediate dismissal, denial of use of the school's facilities and services, withholding of  their transcripts or certificates, at the school’s discretion.  School video lessons and teaching materials are protected by Federal and State copyright protections. Anyone infringing our copyrights will be prosecuted in civil and criminal courts to the fullest extent of the law.

 

Privacy of Academic Records

 

In accordance with federal law, the school preserves the confidentiality of all student academic and personal records.  Unless required by law, the school will not release such records except with the student's written consent.

 

ADMISSIONS POLICY, ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS & PROCEDURES

 

School Admissions Policy

 

New York Paralegal seeks qualified candidates for admission to its academic programs.  The school therefore limits admission, at its discretion, to such persons it believes will most benefit from its specialized courses and training, and in turn, will make the most effective paralegals. 

 

Entrance Requirements & Procedures

 

Candidates seeking admission to a school course or program are required to enroll online or with the assistance of an Admissions Representative by:

 

1.  Completing and signing the Online Enrollment Form.

 

Advanced Standing for Previous Training and Experience

 

The school may grant advanced standing and pro-rata tuition credit for related training completed at a previous institution.  Advanced standing reduces the number of courses the student must complete.  Pro-rata tuition credit reduces the amount of a program's tuition cost by the cost of the course hours granted advanced standing, based on each course’s cost within their program of enrollment.

 

Advanced standing for previously completed training may be awarded only at the school’s discretion, after receipt and review of the enrollee's transcript, program and course descriptions from the previous institution of instruction by fax at (646) 290-8560, mail or email at nypara@live.com.  Credit is limited to previous coursework in which the student received a grade of C or higher, and may not exceed 1/2 of the total length of the student’s program of enrollment. 

 

Advanced standing may be awarded for related job or life experience upon review and verification by the school’s Academic Dean.  Advanced standing for related job or life experience is awarded at the Academic Dean’s discretion, after receipt and review of the enrollee's resume, and/or originally signed letter(s), on company letterhead, from the student candidate's previous employer(s) sent to us by fax at (646) 290-8560, mail or email at nypara@live.com. Credit for life experience credit may not exceed 1/4 of the total length of the student's program of enrollment. 

 

Placement Office Registration and Guidelines

 

Students are required to register with the school's Placement Office by providing a current resume to the school.

 

Online correspondence regarding internships are made after the student receives final grades in at least two (2) courses (additional final course grades may be required at the Academic Dean's discretion). 

 

Online meetings regarding job placement referrals are made during the student's final course. 

 

In order to be considered for employment referral by the school, the student must provide the Placement Office with a current resume, free of any misspellings or grammatical mistakes, and edited according to school specifications.  Students failing to do so may not be considered for referrals by the school.

 

Students referred to potential employers must inform the Placement Office of any interviews scheduled and the outcome of any interviews arranged through a school referral.  Students failing to do so may not be considered for future referrals by the school.

 

Resume, cover letter and follow-up letter drafting and proofing assistance are limited to currently enrolled students, and recent graduates (within six (6) months of completing their program of study), and in good standing with the school.

 

Meetings with the Academic Dean

 

The school's Academic Dean welcomes student comments or concerns regarding the school, its programs or staff, and will be happy to communicate with any student to discuss such matters, or other general student concerns when mutually convenient.

 

Counseling

 

The school provides both academic, career and financial counseling.  Our administration and faculty have extensive knowledge and experience in the legal assistant field and are available to assist students needing counseling.

Academic Dean's Designate

 

Only as permitted by law, the Academic Dean may on occasion designate another school official to carry out a function of the Academic Dean.

 

PROGRESS, ATTENDANCE AND GRADING

 

The student's progress is measured by periodic graded projects, assignments and examinations.  The results of these graded exercises permit both student and instructor to monitor and evaluate the student's progress, strengths, weaknesses and need, if any, for correction in study routine.  Additionally, instructors assign homework and periodic class project assignments to students, some of which may be handed-in for instructor grading, progress recording, review and possible consultation with individual students.  Final course grades covering the length of a student's program are posted online.

 

Progress Records

 

A complete record of a student's progress in each course and program, including attendance, exam results, homework and class project assignment records, is maintained by the school’s Academic Dean.  The Academic Dean is also required to maintain attendance, exam results, homework, class project assignment, and class participation records for each student.  Students may be review their progress records and grades online.

 

Attendance Requirements

 

Students are expected to attend all class hour lectures in their courses and program of enrollment.  Attendance is taken and maintained electronically.

 

If a student fails to attend classes for a period of eighteen (18) calendar days, the school will send by email a notice advising such student that she will be deemed to have withdrawn from the school program if the student does not notify the school to the contrary within twelve (12) days from the date on which the letter was sent.  If the student thereafter fails to respond within such twelve-day period, the student will be deemed to have withdrawn from their program of enrollment and the school.

 

Grading System

 

The school uses a letter and percentage grading system.  The final grade for each course, and the cumulative grade average for each program, are based on the following scale:

 

A          =            90 - 100%

B          =            80 - 89%

C          =            70 - 79%

D          =            65 - 69%

F          =            below 65%

WF       =           Withdrew Failing

INC      =            Incomplete

P/NC    =            Pass/No Credit

 

Therefore, the minimum passing grade on a graded course examination, project or assignment is a D or 65%.  The minimum passing grade for a course is a D or 65%.  The student failing to achieve a final course grade of at least 65%, may proceed provisionally to the next course in their program.

 

An incomplete (INC) grade may be granted to students who cannot complete all required course work.  Incomplete grades are only granted under extraordinary circumstances, and at the discretion of the Academic Dean.  The Academic Dean may grant an "INC" grade in courses where the student demonstrates circumstances of poor health, family crisis, or other significant occurrences outside the control of the student.  A grade will be substituted for an incomplete grade if the student successfully completes or fails to complete the required course work within 60 days from the date of that course's final exam.  Standards of satisfactory progress will not be applied to courses in which students have incomplete grades.

 

Paralegal Internship courses are graded on a Pass/No Credit basis.  Standards of satisfactory progress will be applied to courses in which a student receives a Pass or No Credit grade.

 

The weighting formula for school courses is as follows:

 

Mid-Term Examination                                                      30%

Final Examination                                                             70%

 

The weighting formula for the Legal Research and Writing course is as follows:

 

 

Mid-Term Examination and/or Writing Project                  30%

Final Examination                                                             70%

 

Writing projects, consisting of graded written legal research and writing exercises, are assigned in the Legal Research and Writing course.  Legal form preparation assignments are conducted in many courses.

 

Mid-term and final examinations are graded exams.  These exams are generally one-half to three hours in length, consisting of a combination of objective brief-type questions calling for short answers, and/or essay extended-type questions calling for longer more detailed answers.  Quizzes may be given periodically as graded exams by the school.

 

The school assigns periodic homework and project assignments.  Students must spend at least one (1) hour of study time for each hour of instruction.   Students are responsible for timely presentation of homework and class project assignments designated for handing-in and grading by the school.

 

Satisfactory Progress – Academic Standing, Probation and Dismissal

 

Students must meet the following minimum standards of academic achievement and successful course completion while enrolled in New York Paralegal.  These standards of satisfactory progress apply to all regular students, and to all courses in which the student receives a final grade. The school’s marking periods are measured by the length of each course within a program.

 

Graduation Requirements

 

To receive a Certificate in their course or program students must: (1) satisfactorily complete all courses and/or coursework comprising their course or program of enrollment, 2) maintain an overall grade average of at least a C or 70%, and 3) complete their program of enrollment in no more than one and one-half (1.5) times the number of program hours allowed for completion of their program.

 

Maximum Program Length

 

Students must complete their program of enrollment in no more than one and one-half (1.5) times the number of hours in their program.  Students failing to do so will be dismissed.

 

Evaluation Points

 

Each student's progress will be evaluated at the following evaluation points listed below under Minimum Academic Achievement and Minimum Successful Course Completion.  Each evaluation is recorded in the student's Permanent Progress Record.

 

Minimum Academic Achievement 

 

A student must achieve the following minimum grade point averages (GPA) at the following specified evaluation points in their program in order to remain enrolled.  Students not meeting these minimum standards will be dismissed:

 

Evaluation Point                                     Min. GPA                             Probation

 

1/2 of standard program length              67.50%                                      67.50 - 69.99

3/4 of standard program length              68.75%                                      68.75 - 69.99

Graduation                                             70.00%                                           N/A

 

Minimum Successful Course Completion

 

A student must complete the following percentages of the courses attempted (based on the maximum program length) at the following evaluation points to remain enrolled.  Students not meeting these minimum standards will be dismissed:

  

Minimum Successful

Evaluation Point                         Course Completion %                        Probation

 

1/2 of maximum program length              60%                                        60% - 79%

3/4 of maximum program length              65%                                        65% - 79%

Maximum program length                        100%                                           N/A

 

A student who successfully completes only the minimum percentage of courses attempted at each of these evaluation points will undoubtedly have to continue attending classes beyond the standard program length.

 

Academic Probation

 

Even though a student exceeds the minimum standards for academic achievement and successful course completion, the student will be placed on probation if the student's GPA or successful course completion rate at any of the above evaluation points is less than that required for graduation.  For scholarship and financial aid purposes, a student placed on academic or attendance probation is considered to be making satisfactory progress.  Online notification of probationary status and a copy of the student's transcript will be given to all students placed on academic probation.

 

During any student's academic probation, the school shall make available to such student appropriate academic counseling and remediation.  Students remain on academic probation until they either improve their GPA or are dismissed for failing to improve their GPA as outlined above under Minimum Academic Achievement.

 

Continuation as a Non-Regular Student

 

If a student fails at any evaluation point to meet either the minimum academic achievement or successful course completion standards outlined above, the student may no longer continue at the school as a regular student and is no longer eligible for federal financial aid.  However, if approved by the school Academic Dean, the student may continue classes as a non -regular student for a period of time not greater than 25% of the normal program length, and will not be eligible for scholarships or financial aid, in order to retake courses or practice skills at which said student was previously unsuccessful.  During this period, the student will be charged tuition consistent with tuition fees stated on the school’s website.

 

Reinstatement as a Regular Student

 

If the student demonstrates, after retaking courses or practicing skills over a period of time no greater than 25% of the normal program length, that she is academically and motivationally prepared to progress satisfactorily in her program of enrollment, the student may be reinstated as a regular student.  The Academic Dean must approve the reinstatement based on grades received in retaken courses or evaluations made by instructors familiar with the student's work.

 

All reinstated students will be placed on probation at least until the following satisfactory progress evaluation.  While on probation following reinstatement, the student must satisfy any measures deemed appropriate by the Academic Dean to redress any remaining academic deficiencies.

 

Upon reinstatement, the student's GPA and successful course completion percentage will be recalculated for purposes of determining satisfactory progress, if while attending under non-regular status the student successfully completed previously failed courses.

 

Make-up examinations, Readmission, Incompletes and Course Retaking

 

Students receiving a final course grade of below 65% will be permitted to take one (1) make-up final examination.  The school reserves the right to give a different version of a course's final examination for any make-up examination.  Students are allowed only one (1) make-up final examination for one (1) failed course during their program.  Make-up final exams must be completed within sixty (60) days of the school's posting of their failed course grade.   Otherwise, the failed course must be retaken at additional tuition cost to the student.  No Make-up exams are permitted for failed Midterm exams.

Students retaking courses for which they have received failed final grades in must pay additional tuition charges for all such retaken courses at the current tuition in effect when retaking the course.  Final grades received in retaken courses replace previous final grades of a WF or F on the student's transcript for purposes of calculating the student’s GPA, and satisfactory academic progress.

 

Any student dismissed from a school program for academic reasons may be readmitted to that program at the discretion of the Academic Dean.  Upon readmission, the student will be placed in the instructional program at the start of a course not previously attended or a course in which the student failed to receive a final grade of a 65% or above.

 

Course withdrawals are not permitted, although students may withdraw from their program of enrollment.  Refer to the Cancellation, Withdrawal and Refund Policies section of this catalog for information regarding student tuition liability in the event of program withdrawal or dismissal.

 

Leaves of Absence and Mitigating Circumstances

 

The Academic Dean may grant a leave of absence and/or waive interim satisfactory progress standards for mitigating circumstances such as: poor health, family crisis, or other significant occurrence(s) outside the student's control.  A leave of absence or waiver may be granted only upon written request by the student or student's designate on a school provided form.  These circumstances must be documented and must demonstrate that they had or will have an adverse impact on the student's satisfactory progress in their program of enrollment.  Approvals of all leaves of absence must be made by the school’s Academic Dean.  All written requests for leaves of absence or waiver due to illness must be accompanied by a non-photocopied, original doctor's note or excuse of illness.  Standards of satisfactory progress will not be applied during an approved leave of absence or waiver.

 

With respect to leaves of absence, students are limited to:

 

1.  Leaves of no more than sixty (60) days in length; and One (1) leave per program.

 

Students will be dismissed if they fail to return to classes by the agreed upon leave end date.

 

CANCELLATION, WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND POLICIES

 

I.          A student who cancels within (7) days of signing their enrollment agreement, and prior to starting or gaining access to any school course or program, receives all monies paid to the school returned with the exception of the nonrefundable registration fee.

 

II.         After the student begins or gains access too any portion of instruction, or 7 days after enrollment, the student will be liable for:

 

1.         The $100 nonrefundable registration fee, plus 

2.         The total cost of the course they attended or are attending, or are scheduled to attend, plus

3.         The cost of any books, materials or statutes they received electronically or in-person, in the course, or any partially attended or scheduled course online or in-person, plus

4.         The cost of the school course(s) the student has previously attended either in whole or in part,

III.  Tuition refunds will be processed within 30 days from which the student withdraws or is deemed withdrawn from classes.

Recurring Cost Breakdown of Textbook{s), Statute(s), and Material(s) students receives per course. Specifically, in the event of a student withdrawing from a course, the student will be responsible for paying the cost of the following materials:

NY Paralegal Handbook $145

Course Textbook(s)  $100

Statute(s)  $200

Additional Course Materials & Handouts  $50

Course and Program Cancellation

 

The school may cancel any course or program at any time, for any reason. In event of any course or program cancellation, no refunds will be provided for the cost of any school course the student has previously attended or completed, either in whole or in part. Refund or exchange provided with paid receipt within 30 days of purchase.

 

Complaint, Grievance and Appeal Procedures and Other Important Notes

 

1.   Students with grievances concerning a school academic course or program, or fellow student, are encouraged contact a school official with their grievance.  The school official will make attempts to resolve the problem.  If the student is unable to resolve the problem with their school official, the student is encouraged to contact the school’s Academic Dean to discuss their grievance.  The Academic Dean will then attempt to resolve the grievance to the mutual satisfaction of the student and the school. 

 

2.   Any student disagreeing with a school determination of a grievance, unsatisfactory progress, probation, suspension, course withdrawal or dismissal, may make a written appeal to the Academic Dean.  The Academic Dean’s decision on the appeal is final.

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