These advanced topics build upon the nationally acclaimed Paralegal Certificate Course^©. 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.

*Those who successfully complete at least six advanced topics will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

Completing both the Core Requirements and the Advanced Requirements of the Paralegal Certificate Program provides comprehensive training and skills that should enable graduates to work in the quickly-growing paralegal profession. The two parts in combination have been designed to meet the requirements of the California Business and Professional Code §6450, legislation that took effect in California on 1/1/01.

Course Description
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. Participants will learn of the common law and civil law approaches to the distribution of water in arid regions, the transportation of water from one basin to another, and a hierarchy of competing uses for the water. Water was first viewed as an instrumentality of transportation (and the main impetus behind junking the Articles of Confederation in favor of the Constitution), later as power for industry, irrigation for agriculture, and the water resource behind the growth of cities of the American west. Las Vegas and Phoenix, for example, would have been mere refueling stations on the transcontinental railroads were it not for massive water projects to make the desert bloom. Special emphasis will be given to Colorado's unique system of water courts and water judges.

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 betaken during a seven-week online session and Advanced Paralegal Course topics do not have to be taken in any particular order. 

Required Books

Water Law in a Nutshell - ISBN 978-0-314-28069-5

Highly Recommended Books

Oran's Dictionary of the Law, 4th Edition - ISBN 978-1-4180-8091-4

Prerequisites
Successful completion of Paralegal 1 and Paralegal 2, or the equivalent, or law office experience.