Center for Continuing Studies
Advance Legal Research and Writing Certificate
Our course teaches the advanced and specialized research approaches to using a law library and online research sites.
You'll learn the conceptual differences between computer-assisted legal research and hard copy research. You'll also learn how to formulate WESTLAW® search queries and to use online legal research methods as timesaving devices.
Requirements
- You must have completed the Paralegal Certificate Course (Paralegal 1& 2) or the equivalent or have law office experience to take the course.
- Expect at least 50 hours of study.
- You'll complete reading and homework assignments and be assigned an advanced research project and writing assignment.
- Final projects must be presented for grading to complete the course.
Topics covered
- Legal authorities and citations
- Writing legal analysis
- WESTLAW® online legal research
- Legal memoranda
- Manual legal research
- Types of legal writing
What you earn
Successful graduates earn a certificate of completion from St. Cloud State University, and a certificate of course hours completed from The Center for Legal Studies.
2017 sessions
- Oct. 16 - Dec. 1
2018 sessions
- Jan. 8 - Feb. 23
- March 5 - April 20
- April 30 - June 15
- June 25 - Aug. 10
- Aug. 20 - Oct. 5
- Oct. 15 - Nov. 30
Cost: $729
Materials:
Order "Legal Research, Analysis and Writing," "Legal Research Methods, 2nd Edition" and "Oran's Dictionary of the Law, 4th Edition" through The Center for Legal Studies.
WESTLAW® legal research access.
Alternate registrations
- 800-522-7737, and pay by credit card
- 320-308-4723 or 320-308-6100, and pay by check
- Complete this form PDF)
Need a payment plan?
- Complete a registration form (PDF), then submit it by email, mail or fax
- Make a 25 percent down-payment and arrange monthly payments
