Course Descriptions
What you will receive training in
In our Paralegal program, you will receive training on the practical paralegal and administrative duties necessary to help manage the day-to-day operations of everything from a local attorney’s office to a major corporate law firm. Our series of 9 dynamic, hands-on classes, equipped with technology in use in the industry today, is designed to teach you those core skills that every law office needs to thrive:
- Assist in creating and managing legal documents
- Facilitate communication with courts and law enforcement
- Manage and maintain confidential client records
- Create and edit formal legal presentations
- Document and schedule litigation dates and coordinate court appearances
- Design and utilize spreadsheets and other information databases
- Help attorneys coordinate and communicate with clients
- Understand and use standard legal language and terminology
- And much more . . .
Courses
C100 — Basic Paralegal Computer Skills and Tasks
Learn about internal and external computer components, operating systems and the basic theory and history of computers. You will take an in-depth look at the creation of text documents using Microsoft Word 2010. This course is designed to teach you how to create professional-looking letters, memos, reports, and other standardized forms, to integrate mailing lists, graphs, charts and other text-based documents.
You will also learn how to effectively create and use electronic spreadsheets with Microsoft Excel 2010. This is a powerful program designed to help manage complex information including customer lists, purchase or shipping data, financial information, and market research data. This course also includes an overview of Microsoft Outlook and its emailing and calendaring features. Lastly, you will receive instruction on how to navigate through various legal research and database systems.
C600 — American Legal Environment, Law Office Procedures, and Litigation
A lawsuit, contract, or court case is a complex series of interconnected forms, deadlines, and other requirements like the gears in a clock. It is vital that those pieces fit together in exactly the right way; otherwise, it will break and the case may be lost. This course is designed to teach you about how the legal environment operates including who does what and the proper procedures for various cases. You will learn about the structure of the judicial system and the process of legal analysis and explains the difference between statutory law, judicial law, and Constitutional law.
C610 — Criminal Law and Procedure
Each crime has a specific classification and specific procedures for processing the crime. This course covers both the Criminal Law and Criminal Procedures for various crimes. This course is designed to teach you about which crimes are under state and federal jurisdiction and how to name the elements of a crime. You will participate in a full discussion of Due Process, the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, the Fourth Fifth and Sixth Amendments, and Habeas Corpus.
C620 — Legal Research and Writing
This course provides an introduction to writing legal correspondence and basic rules for writing in the legal field. You will review the basic rules of English grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Along with learning the mechanics of writing, you will learn how legal documents are written and practical tips on how to write persuasively. In addition you will receive training in how to organize writing by using outlines, and the proper use of legal authorities and legal citations.
C630 — Torts and Contract Law
A tort is a specific kind of lawsuit. In this class you will receive training in the basic procedures related to handling these disputes including modern day legal statutes and the common law torts that attorneys deal with frequently. You will also receive instructions on the basics of contract law and of drafting agreements for both business and personal applications.
C640 — Property Law, Family Law and Estate Planning
Every part of the United States can be described as property and is owned by some party. This course will give you an understanding of the different types of property ownership. You will receive instruction on how to distinguish real, personal, and rental property. This course also describes the basics of Family Law, including disputes within families such as child custody, prenuptial agreements, and divorces. It also includes the legal designation of property ownership for heirs in a document called a Will. This course is designed to teach you about the basic concepts of estate planning including wills, trusts, and probate. This training will include practice in preparation of standard forms and petitions related to these legal actions including statements of business affairs and motions for relief.
C650 — Bankruptcy Law and Business Law
Bankruptcy is a legal action designed to help people who have run out of money and need assistance getting back on their feet. This course will explore the role of paralegals in a bankruptcy law practice. You will receive instruction about the history of bankruptcy laws and study the bankruptcy code as well as be able to distinguish between the different types of bankruptcy. You will also study the four basic business forms, the law of agency and have a full understanding of Title VII. Age and Disability discrimination as well as limitations on employee lawsuits against State and Local Government employers will be discussed.
C800 — Career Development
In this course, you will work in close partnership with our Career Services team to learn the strategies and tactics of executing a sophisticated, systematic job search. They will help you identify the best job opportunities for you, taking into account your personal background, work history, skills, and preferences, and then together you will tailor your approach to each opportunity to maximize your chances of success. They will help you prepare a powerful, dynamic resume customized to each opportunity and guide you through practice in proven techniques for an outstanding job interview. Before you meet with a prospective employer, you will know who you are meeting, what the job entails, and how to sell yourself in a way that will make you the obvious choice for the job.
C900 — Externship
This course is designed to give you the real life experience of working in a law office. You will get the chance to do a 150-hour on the job externship. All the information you learned in your previous courses can be put into action during your externship. You will work in approved facilities under the direct supervision of qualified personnel and under general supervision of the school staff.
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