Advanced Paralegal Certificate Course

Examine advanced and specialized approaches to using the legal resources available in a law library, and elsewhere, in this online course. Explore the conceptual differences between computer-assisted legal research and hard copy research. Also learn how to formulate WESTLAW search queries, and to effectively and efficiently use WESTLAW and other online legal research methods as timesaving devices in the paralegal professions. Coursework in Advanced Legal Research is equivalent to 45 hours of study. Learn more

Learn negotiation skills and how to select the most cost-effective and least-intrusive ADR method to achieve a positive outcome for both parties. Understand the processes and methods of ADR techniques, learn the proper application and limits of ADR techniques, appreciate the ethical considerations involved in ADR and develop a basic ability to apply ADR methods. Learn more

Bankruptcy is an area of law that has provided significant employment for paralegals. This comprehensive online course examines the debtor-creditor relationship and the difference between voluntary and involuntary bankruptcy, both under Chapter 7 (liquidation) and 11 (reorganization). You will study the Bankruptcy Code in depth and learn how to prepare important bankruptcy forms. Learn more

This course explores the law and practice of business organizations, plus the paralegal’s potential role in this area of law. It begins with an examination of basic agency law, followed by a study of the fundamental structure and most important legal doctrines relating to general partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, small closely held corporations and large publicly traded corporations. Learn more

Get an introduction to the fundamentals of the federal constitution, including the institution of judicial review, the limitations on federal judicial power, the constitutional roles of the legislative and executive branches, due process of law, and individual rights under the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Possible future trends of the U.S. Supreme Court will also be explored, along with individual civil liberties and 42 U.S.C. section 1983 claims, emphasizing redress for violations of the Fourth, Fifth and Eighth Amendment rights of the U.S. Constitution. Learn more

The comprehensive online course will help you understand punishment, burden of proof and criminal defenses. It also provides a critical look at the most common crimes. Learn common terminology in criminal law and how to consider a crime thoroughly in terms of its elements. Learn more

This intensive course deals with the constitutional dimensions of criminal law and procedure. You will leave the course with an appreciation of how the U.S. Constitution focuses on the rights of the accused and the impact upon our law enforcement system. Learn more

The Advanced Paralegal: eDiscovery topic is an introductory course for people entering the eDiscovery field, as well as professionals wanting to broaden their knowledge of the eDiscovery process. This 7-week course covers the entire eDiscovery process, from preparation to collection to review of Electronically Stored Information (ESI). Throughout the 17 online modules and tests, you will progress through the basics of eDiscovery preparation, best practices for ESI collection and, finally, the review process. The course is supplemented with a comprehensive textbook that covers most relevant eDiscovery topics. Learn more

This course focuses on the laws that govern America’s public school system and home schooling, including student rights regarding discipline, suspension, personal grooming, testing and grading, and drug testing. Topics such as segregation, integration, dress codes and drug testing are essential for paralegals seeking full- or part-time law office employment, as well as teachers, school counselors and administrators working in the American education system. Learn more

This online course explores the paralegal’s role in creating effective and enforceable wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents.  Learn more

Family law pertains to the formation and dissolution of domestic relations, including the law of marriage, annulment, separation and dissolution, maintenance, and custody and support of children. The role of the paralegal in family law practice and the importance of mediation of domestic issues will be discussed, along with the differences between community and separate property, the classification of property and the impact of such classification. Learn more

Explores all significant aspects of the immigration and naturalization process in the United States, including the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. Topics include worker and student visas, as well as Family Residence requirements, and the removal process. Learn more

This cutting-edge course provides in-depth instruction in one of the most dynamic and challenging areas of the law. Paralegals in this area work on copyrights, patents, trademarks, unfair competition, protection of trade secrets, and more. The knowledge gained in this course is not only applicable to full- or part-time law office employment, but is also essential for authors and business owners who may be involved in entertainment and contract matters. Learn more

The law of real property is one of the basic law school courses and is a must for paralegals in a business law firm. The system of common law property, recording acts, conveyancing, mortgaging, landlord-tenant and financing are examined. Also covered are subjects every paralegal should know about buyer-seller issues, mortgage foreclosure, land transactions and the documents that record the purchase, sale and leasing of real estate. Learn more

This intensive online program is designed to train and qualify students to provide assistance to crime victims. The course provides an overview of criminal procedure and discusses the devastating effects crime can have on its victims. Learn more

This intensive class is designed to give students an appreciation of the importance of allocation of water resources in the growth of cities in 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 them flourish. 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. Special emphasis will be given to Colorado’s unique system of water courts and water judges. Although this course is concerned with U.S. water law, the student will also recognize the importance of the free flow of water between the U.S. and Canada, and Mexico. Learn more