SOUTH HOLLAND | South Suburban College will host a paralegal open house from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 3, in Room 5190 at the University and College Center in Oak Forest.

Information will be provided about SSC's paralegal/legal assistant curriculum, including the AAS degree and certificate programs.

SSC has the only American Bar Association-approved paralegal program in the south suburban Chicago region, giving graduates an advantage when entering the workplace, according to a news release from the college.

The college requires the instructors in the program are lawyers or judges to ensure the quality of instruction.

The curriculum prepares students to work in a variety of legal environments including civil and criminal litigation, insurance, banking, public and governmental agencies, law offices and corporate legal departments.

Emphasis is placed on the development of core skills in legal research techniques including compilation and analysis of data, understanding legal vocabulary, preparation of legal documents and management of a law office.

Students utilize SSC's program in preparation for law school in addition to the opportunity to gain immediate employment, the news release stated.

Coordinator Bill Goren provides students with expertise, in addition to an understanding of the profession, and the knowledge and skills required to succeed in the work force, according to the news release.

The majority of the paralegal classes are offered at the UCC, 16333 S. Kilbourn Ave. in Oak Forest. For more information,  contact Ron Kawanna, dean of legal studies, at (708) 210-5807 or RKawanna@ssc.edu.