Center for Continuing Studies - Innovative Leadership for Lifelong Learning

Paralegal Certificate Course

Designed for Beginning and Advanced Legal workers

Assist trial attorneys
Interview witnesses
Research the law
Assist in case preparation

This intensive, nationally acclaimed program is designed for beginning as well as advanced legal workers. Students will be trained to assist trial attorneys, interview witnesses, investigate complex fact patterns, research the law, and assist in preparing cases for courtroom litigation. The instruction is practice-oriented and relates to those areas of the law in which legal assistants are most in demand. There are no prerequisites, but students will be expected to complete a significant amount of homework for each weekly session. This program will help students increase their office's efficiency, productivity, and billable hours as well as learn new marketable job skills. Successful graduates will be awarded a Certificate of Completion from St. Cloud State University. To receive a Certificate, students must pass six quizzes and successfully complete five legal document writing assignments.

Students can expect 10-15 hours of homework (reading) each week.

Live Lecture Program Online Program

Online Program

90 Hours of Instruction
Two consecutive seven week sessions
Two free weeks of WESTLAW access
Professional Certificate Awarded by St. Cloud State University

Course Outline - Paralegal I

Lesson 1: Legal Terminology, Legal Process, and Rules of Civil Procedure
Lesson 2: Ethics, Torts, and Contracts
Lesson 3: Legal Documents and Legal Analysis
Lesson 4: Discovery Documents and Legal Interviewing
Lesson 5 & 6: Evidence and Legal Investigation
Lesson 7: Course Wrap-up

Course Outline - Paralegal II

Lesson 1: Legal Authority
Lesson 2: Introduction to Legal Research, Secondary Sources and Finding Tools
Lesson 3: Citation Format and Appellate Procedure
Lesson 4: Computerized Legal Research
Lesson 5: Legal Writing and Analysis
Lesson 6 & 7: Law Office Administration & Informal and Formal Advocacy , Job-Hunting Techniques & Course Wrap-up

Schedule of Online sessions:

July 1- August 16

August 26 - October 11, 2013

October 21 - December 6, 2013

January 13 - February 28, 2014

March 10 - April 25, 2014

May 5 - June 20, 2014

The online course is completed in two consecutive seven-week sessions. Both sessions must be successfully completed in order to receive a certificate. Students may begin their course study with any online session offered (Session I or Session II).

Live Lecture Series

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.

Session 1: "Legal Terminology, Documents, Ethics, and the Litigation Process"

Session 2: "Introduction to the Evidentiary Predicate"

Session 3: "Identifying Relevant Authority"

Session 4: "Introduction to Legal Research"

Session 5: "Legal Research Practice"

Session 6: "Legal Writing and Appellate Procedure"

Live Lecture classes will be held on Saturdays and Sundays, from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. over a 6 week period. 84 Classroom hours.

Schedule of Live Lecture sessions:

October 12 - November 17, 2013

Tuition: $1189

Required Books: $345

WESTLAW (online legal research access): $75