Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio has a paralegal program that can trace its origins back to 1887 when evening classes were first offered through the local YMCA. The program was the first in the Dayton area and the first to be approved by the American Bar Association. The program provides hands-on training and internship opportunities to help students develop legal skills to work under attorney supervision. Students must maintain a C or better average and internships are required to graduate. The program offers affordable and accessible learning opportunities both on campus and online to train paralegals.

1. PARALEGAL SCHOOL FEATURE www.lawcrossing.com 1. 800.973.1177
Sinclair Community College’s Paralegal Program,
Dayton, OH
[By Judith Earley]
Sinclair Community College has a mission, should you choose to accept it. The school is committed to helping
individuals turn dreams into achievable goals by offering accessible, high-quality, affordable learning opportunities.
Sinclair Community College in Dayton, OH, of the League’s elite Vanguard Colleges in Students must be accepted into the
can trace its history back to the Dayton 2001. “Vanguard” is the term designated paralegal program before enrolling in
YMCA. In 1887, the YMCA set aside two by the League to recognize the top 12 program courses and must earn grades
rooms and began offering evening classes two-year institutions in North America that of “C” or better in all courses in order
in bookkeeping and mechanical drawing. At consistently focus on student and learner to graduate. Additionally, all paralegal
that time, it had 55 male students. By the access and success. Sinclair Community students acquire hands-on experience by
time the YMCA moved to a larger building at College is fully accredited by The Higher participating in selective internships.
West Third and Ludlow Streets in 1910, the Learning Commission, a member of the
college was offering a broad curriculum and North Central Association, and a member Some additional benefits of Sinclair
improved facilities, including dormitories. of the Ohio Association of Community Community College’s paralegal program
Colleges. The SCC campus is located in are its day, evening, and web classes taught
In the fall of 1929, the YMCA moved once downtown Dayton, boasts an enrollment of by experienced attorneys and paralegals,
again to an even larger building. By then, 24,000 students, and is one of the largest excellent internship and placement
the college was offering several degrees community college campuses in America. opportunities, hands-on training in law office
in several disciplines and housed a school environments, and the fact that it has the
of liberal arts, the Dayton YMCA School of Sinclair’s paralegal program was the first lowest tuition in the state of Ohio.
Commerce, the Dayton Law School, and the program established in the Dayton area and
Dayton Technical School. the first to be approved by the American Bar
Association. The program is designed to ON THE NET
In 1948, the YMCA College was officially help students develop skills that will enable
renamed Sinclair College, in honor of them to effectively provide legal services Sinclair Community College’s Paralegal
David A. Sinclair, Secretary of the Dayton under the supervision of attorneys and to Program
YMCA from 1874-1902 and founder of its maintain a cutting-edge curriculum that www.sinclair.edu/academics/bus/
educational program. Sinclair had emigrated emphasizes skills in critical thinking, writing, departments/par/index.cfm
to Dayton from the coastal North Scotland teamwork, and assessment. Included
Highlands. The new Sinclair College was within the program’s curriculum are Sinclair Community College
authorized by the State Board of Education to courses focused on teaching legal concepts, www.sinclair.edu/about/index.cfm
continue conducting a junior college program developing practical application techniques,
and conferring associate’s degrees in the and implementing modern technology skills. City of Dayton, OH
arts and sciences. The general education requirements of www.ci.dayton.oh.us
the paralegal program include theory and
Sinclair was selected for membership in practice, ethical legal practice, and legal
the prestigious League for Innovation in the field technology courses.
Community College in 1989 and became one
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