Programs
Diploma in Paralegal Studies
Paralegal Programs | Paralegal Diploma | Paralegal Associate Degree | Paralegal Continuing Education
The Paralegal Institute offers an opportunity for you to add a competitive edge in your pursuit of an available position in the Paralegal field by offering a Legal Assistant / Paralegal Diploma Program. We give you up to one year to complete the Legal Assistant / Paralegal Diploma Program. Although completion solely depends on the study schedule you set for yourself, we recommend that you maintain a consistent submission of lessons.
Once you, as the student, successfully complete the courses outlined below, you will be eligible to sit for the National Association for Legal Assistants (NALA) Certification Exam.
Duration
We offer open enrollment within our paralegal programs, thus you may register at any time. We give you up to one year to complete the Paralegal diploma program. However, completion of the Paralegal Diploma program solely depends on the study schedule you set for yourself. We recommend that you maintain a consistent submission of lessons.
Request information or Enroll in the Paralegal Diploma Program
CORE PROGRAM
- Paralegal Today
Paralegal SPECIALTIES
- Legal Research
- Legal Analysis and Writing
- Litigation and Trial Practice
- Business Organizations
- Domestic Relations
- Criminal law
- Real property
- Trusts, Wills and Estate Administration
- Contracts
PARALEGAL DIPLOMA PROGRAM TOTAL CREDITS: 30
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
| Paralegal Today | 3 Credit Hours |
| The course is the core of the paralegal program. Students will learn the past, present and future of the paralegal profession, including the paralegal defined, educational options, techniques for marketing skills and career opportunities. Instruction on ethics and professional responsibility, the organizational structure of the legal workplace and office culture and politics will prepare students for the challenges of today's paralegal. Students receive a formal introduction to law by examining sources of American law, the court system and alternative dispute resolution, substantive law in its various forms, as well as administrative law and government regulation. Legal procedures and advanced skills involving civil litigation and trial procedures, criminal law, conducting interviews and investigations, using primary and secondary sources to legal research, the emerging technology of computer assisted legal research, in addition to legal analysis and writing provide valuable insight and a solid foundation for the future legal assistant. | |
| Legal Research | 3 Credit Hours |
| This course is designed to teach the fundamentals of Legal Research. The student will learn research tools and techniques necessary to find the actual law, but also how to use the various secondary materials, which assist in the research process. Some of the topics covered are: Case Reporters, Digests, Codes, Annotated Codes, Annotated Reporters, citators, Loose-leaf Services, Legal Encyclopedias, Treatises and Computerized Research Services. | |
| Legal Analysis and Writing | 3 Credit Hours |
| A requisite for the capable legal assistant is the ability to prepare professional legal documents. This comprehensive course provides the student with in-depth knowledge of the fundamentals of legal analysis and writing. Students will first examine an overview of the legal system, including analytic principles and the legal process. They will learn the specifics of legal analysis, including statutory analysis, case law and briefing, identifying and stating the issue, case application and counter analysis. Emphasis on application of these key principles in legal writing will allow students to prepare interoffice memorandums, court briefs and general legal correspondence. | |
| Litigation and Trial Practice | 3 Credit Hours |
| This course provides comprehensive coverage of the civil litigation practice for paralegals. It provides detailed information on the litigation process from the pre-suit investigation to the appeal. Special emphasis is made on the role of the lawyer and those responsibilities that may be delegated to the legal assistant. Attention is given to litigation principles, lawyer and client relationship and ethics, gathering evidence, deposition, preparation for a civil trial, structure of a civil trial, judgments, and appeals. | |
| Business Organizations | 3 Credit Hours |
| The "bread and butter" of many law firms comes from organizing small business entities and advising them of their duties and rights. When is partnership better than a corporation? What procedure is followed in setting up a corporation? What must be included in the articles of incorporation? How are corporate minutes drafted? These questions are important to most business in your community and your knowledge in this specialty will help you assist a lawyer in answering them for his clients. | |
| Domestic Relations | 3 Credit Hours |
| This course is designed for the student who is interested in working in the area of family law. The student will learn the legal principles and processes involved in the law of marriage, divorce, separation, support, custody and visitation, annulment and adoption. Common agreements, pleadings and other documents applicable to these topics are set forth. Also covered are the tax consequences of separation and divorce. | |
| Criminal Law | 3 Credit Hours |
| A great need for specialists in criminal law and procedures has been created by the rapidly expanding criminal justice system. Police departments, attorney generals, district attorneys and lawyers hire criminal law legal assistants. This course is designed to give an understanding of both the law and procedural aspects of criminal justice and to prepare you for an exciting career in criminal justice. | |
| Real Property | 3 Credit Hours |
| Real Estate law is one of the most exciting and lucrative aspects of the legal profession. There is a great demand for real estate specialists not only in law firms, but also in banks, title companies, real estate brokerages, and many other aspects of business. This area of law has unlimited opportunities for paralegals who are interested in becoming involved in the dynamic and important aspect of life. Nearly everyone owns real estate, yet very few people really understand the nature of real estate transactions. | |
| Trusts, Wills and Estate Administration | 3 Credit Hours |
| This area of specialty is ideal for legal assistants working with attorneys whose practice consists of some or all probate. This unit of study introduces the legal assistant to the essential requirements of wills, trusts, types of estates and estate taxes. It takes the student on a step-by-step process through all procedures involved in both formal and informal probate. Special emphasis is placed on the roles of various participants in the administration of a probate matter-the lawyer, the personal representative of the estate, the court and the legal assistant. A review of the responsibility that can be delegated to the legal assistant is included. Attention is given to training legal assistants in how to execute many of the probate forms necessary from the commencement through completion of the probate procedure. | |
| Contracts | 3 Credit Hours |
| Contracts are a part of almost every lawyer's practice: large or small firm, corporation or government agency. The student will be guided through the analysis of contracts, applicable law, formation (offer and acceptance) and the drafting of contracts. Enforceability, performance and breach, plaintiff and defendant remedies, and third party interests are also included. | |
