Indianapolis, Ind. and Boston, MA - The College Network and Boston University have launched the university's Paralegal Certificate Program online. The program is offered through BU's Center for Professional Education, which provides professionals the opportunity to adapt to the changes taking place in their industries by updating their knowledge, honing current skills, and acquiring new skills. Boston University will work with The College Network to advance its distance education initiative by making the Paralegal Certificate courses available online and more accessible to busy, working adults

Similar to the traditional classroom courses, the new online program features classes on legal research, legal writing and reasoning, corporate law, litigation, real estate, probate, and a unique course on technology that gives students hands-on experience with software and technologies used by today's paralegals. According to Ruth Ann Murray, director of the Boston University Center for Professional Education.

"Boston University's Online Paralegal Certificate will provide students with a unique technology component," said Murray. "Participants will have access to Westlaw database throughout the entire 14-week program and, unlike other paralegal programs, will also be taught to use PACER, CaseMap, and LiveNote to give them an advantage over their competition."

According to the 2006-2007 US Department of Labor Occupational Handbook, employment for paralegals is projected to grow much faster (27% or greater) than all other occupations through 2014. With over 30 years experience training paralegals, BU's program is being brought online with relevant hands-on experience and real-life cases brought to life by instructors who are practicing attorneys.

"The College Network is proud to be working with Boston University to deliver this exciting educational opportunity for working adults pursuing a new career," said Gary Eyler, CEO of The College Network. "With over 15 years experience offering educational programs, the online Paralegal Certificate Program represents a natural progression for our company. We pride ourselves in providing access to distance learning opportunities for busy working adults looking for new ways to enhance their education."

The College Network has partnerships with other well-known, fully accredited universities like Cornell University, The George Washington University, Indiana University, University of Southern California, Regis University, Bellevue University, Indiana State University, The University of North Dakota, and Salve Regina University. It has given more than 110,000 adult learners the opportunity to continue their education with little interruption to their personal and professional lives.

Founded in 1839, Boston University is an internationally recognized institution of higher education and research. With more than 30,000 students, it is the fourth largest independent university in the United States. BU contains 17 colleges and schools along with a number of multi-disciplinary centers and institutes which are central to the school's research and teaching mission.

For more information about The College Network and the new Paralegal Certificate Online Program call 1-866-249-2131 or visit www.college-net.com/boston.asp?degree=PLC.