Courses

This exciting course is designed to teach advanced and specialized approaches to utilize the legal resources available in a law library, and elsewhere. The conceptual differences between computer-assisted legal research and hard copy research will be taught. You will also learn how to formulate WESTLAW search queries and effectively and efficiently use WESTLAW and other online legal research methods as time-saving devices in legal research and legal writing.



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Alternative Dispute Resolution refers to dispute resolution techniques that may better suit the needs of parties than traditional litigation does. This intensive course focuses on both traditional and non-traditional dispute resolution options.



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This intensive course is designed to train and qualify students to develop or participate in conflict mediation processes. Participants will review the growth and application of settlement options in the United States.



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Bankruptcy is an area of law that has provided significant employment for paralegals. This course examines the debtor-creditor relationship and the difference between voluntary and involuntary bankruptcy, both under Chapter 7 (liquidation) and 11 (reorganization). You will study the Bankruptcy Code in depth and learn how to prepare the most important bankruptcy forms.



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You will be introduced to the fundamentals of the federal constitution, including the institution of judicial review, the limitations on federal judicial power, the constitutional roles of the legislative and executive branches, due process of law, and individual rights under the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Possible future trends of the U.S. Supreme Court will also be explored. This course will focus on individual civil liberties and 42 U.S.C. section 1983 claims, emphasizing redress for violations of the Fourth, Fifth, and Eighth Amendment rights of the U.S. Constitution.



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The course begins with an overview of the concept of punishment and goes on to study the burden of proof and criminal defenses; it also provides a critical look at the most common crimes. Students will learn common terminology in criminal law and how to consider a crime thoroughly in terms of its elements.



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In Criminal Procedure, students are presented with a clear and concise overview of the Constitutional protections that are provided to the accused in the United States, including the law of search and seizure, Miranda rights, Fifth Amendment protection, and the right to an attorney. The knowledge gained in this course is essential to full or part-time law office employment, as well as employment with government agencies in the criminal justice system.



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This course is your way to gain skills and competency in the specialty field of eDiscovery, and to make critical contributions to your organization.



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This course focuses on the laws that govern America's public school system, as well as home schooling, including student rights regarding discipline, suspension, personal grooming, testing and grading, and drug testing. Topics such as segregation, integration, dress codes and drug testing are essential not only for paralegals seeking full or part-time law office employment, but also for teachers, school counselors and administrators working in the schools.



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Employment law is a branch of contract law that deals with relationships between employers and employees. This course will cover statutes such as the National Labor Relations Act, the Railway Labor Act, and other various statutes dealing with public employees. Topics to be included are master and servant, wages and hours, anti-discrimination in employment and minimum wages and maximum hours, as well as regulation of working conditions.



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This course explores the paralegal's role in estate planning. The requirements of creating enforceable wills and trusts will be covered, and study of resulting and constructive trusts will be provided.



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Family law pertains to the formation and dissolution of domestic relations, including the law of marriage, annulment, separation and dissolution, maintenance, and custody and support of children. This course will study the differences between community and separate property, the classification of property, and the impact of such classification. The role of the paralegal in family law practice and the importance of mediation of domestic issues will also be discussed.



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This course explores all significant aspects of the immigration and naturalization process in the United States, including the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.



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This cutting edge course provides in depth instruction in one of the most dynamic and challenging areas of the law. Paralegals in this exciting area work on copyrights, patents, trademarks, unfair competition, protection of trade secrets, and much more. The knowledge gained in this course is not only applicable to full or part-time law office employment, but is also essential for authors and business owners who may be involved in entertainment and contract matters. This challenging specialty is in great demand.



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This intensive program is designed to teach legal investigation to those interested in pursuing a new career and those presently working in the legal field.



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This intensive program is designed for both beginning and experienced secretaries who are interested in improving their skills and working more efficiently within the law office. Students will study such topics as: legal terminology; legal process; jurisdiction and venue; ethics; written communications including letters, pleadings, discovery, notices and motions; filing procedures, billing and accounting; time management; records management; overview of commonly used word and data processing programs; legal research; memoranda preparation, and citation format.



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With this exciting, fast-paced class you will learn many of the legal terms, causes of action, and remedies available to victims of personal injury accidents. You will review the negligence theory of torts upon which many personal injury claims are based.



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The law of real property is one of the basic law school courses, and is a must for paralegals in a business law firm. Here we examine the system of common law property, the recording acts, conveyancing, mortgaging, landlord-tenant, and financing.



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This dynamic course is designed for legal professionals interested in improving their skills and knowledge of commonly used computer technology and programs within the law office. Course topics include: computer operating systems and peripheral devices; time tracking and billing software; database, case management and docket control software; litigation support software; electronic discovery, and trial presentation and graphics software.



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This intensive online program is designed to train and qualify students to provide assistance to crime victims. The course provides an overview of criminal procedure and discusses the devastating effects crime can have on its victims. You will learn how paralegals as victim advocates can assist their office's clients who have been victimized by crime.



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This course meets the training needs of busy professionals who are interested in assisting crime victims in progressing through the criminal justice system and toward successful recovery.



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This intensive class is designed to give students, particularly from Colorado and neighboring states, an appreciation of the importance of allocation of water resources in the American West.



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Certificate Programs

Course Description


These advanced topics build upon the nationally acclaimed Paralegal Certificate Course© offered by over 100 colleges and universities nationwide. These classes are available to students who wish to extensively build upon their knowledge of law and paralegal studies with classes in specialized facets of contemporary law. Your study and concentration on substantively specific materials will enable you to gain a strong competitive edge over other paralegals. The additional training gained through participation in these advanced classes will embellish your legal knowledge and skills, which in turn should increase your salary and marketability.

Additional Information


Students are required to complete six Advanced Paralegal Course topics to receive a certificate. Each topic is offered in a seven-week online session. Students must successfully complete the Core Requirements before they take the Advanced Paralegal Course. Up to three Advanced Paralegal Course topics may be taken during a seven-week online session and Advanced Paralegal Course topics do not have to be taken in any particular order.

Contuing Education Units and Contact Hours


Total: 270 contact hours or 27.0 CEUs
Per course: 45 clock hours or 4.5 CEUs

Format
Online

Cost
$550 per topic+Books & Westlaw

For Content Questions
Visit the Center for Legal Studies website