May 10, 2007

By Halimah Celestine

GW'S PARALEGAL STUDIES PROGRAM GRANTED NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY CHAPTER RIGHTS

National Paralegal Honor Society Lambda Epsilon Chi to Have University Chapter

The George Washington University College of Professional Studies paralegal studies program was recently granted the right to maintain a Chapter of Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX). Lambda Epsilon Chi is a paralegal national honor society founded by the American Association for Paralegal Education. There are approximately 94 chapters throughout the United States with more than 1,000 inductees.

Each year, GW will select students who meet high academic criteria and cite them for their accomplishments by inducting them into Lambda Epsilon Chi. Students will be recognized through a formal ceremony where they will receive a Certificate of Induction and a special chapter pin and are entered into the permanent LEX rolls.

"We are delighted to have received this distinction," said Roger Whitaker, dean of the GW College of Professional Studies. "Granting the University the right to maintain a national honor society chapter for paralegal studies recognizes the quality of GW's program and the importance of a serious academic approach to this growing profession."

GW's program, launched in January 2007, is the only credit-bearing, post-baccalaureate paralegal program in Washington, D.C. A rigorous course of study provides comprehensive education in corporate law, litigation, legal research, and writing. The program also offers students the opportunity to specialize in government law, intellectual property law, or international law.

Courses balance theoretical, philosophical, and historical perspectives with practical applications of written and oral communication, analysis, ethics, and legal technology. Outstanding lawyers teach courses designed in conjunction with the legal, government, business, and international communities. The program is further distinguished by its association with GW's Law School, one of the country's top law schools.

GW's College of Professional Studies offers both full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate programs that continue the educational experience for those in emerging and rapidly changing professions. Programs draw on the expertise of GW faculty and outside partners - professional associations, community organizations, consulting enterprises, and industry leaders - to present innovative, forward-looking curricula with immediate relevance in today's workplaces.

The American Association for Paralegal Education is a national organization that serves the needs of institutions that offer paralegal education programs. The association's primary purpose is to continue developing higher quality education for paralegal students and to be the main source of authority in paralegal academics. GW is an institutional member of the American Association for Paralegal Education.

For more information about GW's paralegal studies program, visit http://cps.gwu.edu/plx/index.html.

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