Course Description

NOTE: This is a semester-based, self-paced, start anytime online course.

This course will provide you with comprehensive knowledge of the American judicial system. It will also teach you practical skills including how to assist trial attorneys, interview witnesses, investigate complex fact patterns, research the law, and assist in preparing cases for courtroom litigation. Gain working knowledge of legal authority: how it is used in the litigation process and how to locate it through legal research. You will also learn the basics of law office management, substantive law (such as criminal law, domestic relations, real property law, and bankruptcy), and informal and formal advocacy.

Funding Available: This is a WIOA Approved Program - click for more funding information.

Who should enroll?

This intensive, nationally acclaimed program is designed for beginning as well as advanced legal workers. Students will be trained to interview witnesses, investigate complex fact patterns, research the law, prepare legal documents, and assist in preparing cases for courtroom litigation. The instruction is practice-oriented and relates to those areas of law in which paralegals are in most demand.

Additional Information

Students have 14 weeks to complete the online course (7 weeks for Paralegal I and 7 weeks for Paralegal II.) Please note that the course fee covers both halves of the course. Students may choose any session listed at the bottom of the page to begin the course with Paralegal I and they will be automatically enrolled in the following session for Paralegal II.

Session Descriptions

"Legal Terminology, Documents, Ethics, and the Litigation Process"
This session focuses on the history of American jurisprudence, the theory of law, the legal process, and the nature of litigation. Discussion will cover pre-trial, trial, and post-trial procedures as well as an in-depth coverage of legal ethics. At the end of the first session of class, students will know how to prepare a Complaint/Petition, Answer, Third Party Complaint/Petition, and Motion for Summary Judgment.

"Introduction to the Evidentiary Predicate"
This session covers the rules of evidence and civil procedure. Basic interviewing and investigation techniques and the development and use of demonstrative evidence will also be explained. At the end of the second session of class, students will prepare discovery matter such as Interrogatories, Requests for Admissions and Request for Production of Documents.

"Identifying Relevant Authority"
During this session, students will learn how to identify relevant law, determine the differences between primary and secondary authority, and between mandatory and persuasive authority, and learn how to find and apply authority hypothetical factual situations.

"Introduction to Legal Research"
Students will learn research techniques for use in legal memoranda, motions, and briefs. Primary and secondary source materials will be discussed, and a concise approach to legal research will be developed.

"Legal Research Practice"
Legal research skills will be applied this session with emphasis on sherardizing statutes and case law and learning to use computerized legal research terminals. Numerous research assignments will be given, discussed, and critiqued. The West Key Number System® will be learned thoroughly.

"Legal Writing and Appellate Procedure"
This session will concentrate on the preparation and critique of legal memoranda, including an Interoffice Memorandum of Law and Appellate Brief. Principles of appellate procedure will also be reviewed. Proper citation format will be covered along with a discussion of job-hunting techniques and job leads for those seeking their first employment as paralegals.

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Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites to take the course. 

Continuing Education Units and Contact Hours
90 contact hours or 9.0 CEUs