Paralegal Certificate Course Self-Study

Students have six months to complete the Self-Study format course.

Note: Both sessions must be taken consecutively.

Paralegal Certificate Course: Part 1

Welcome to Paralegal Part 1, the first half of the Paralegal Certificate Course^© offered in an independent study format. This course represents the culmination of thirty (30) years of “live” classroom instruction of this course for liberal arts and pre-law students at major universities across the United States. To serve foreign students and law firm employees overseas, as well as people residing far from our live classroom lecture locations, we began offering this course in a video format in 1987. Now, with this self-study format, we are overcoming the boundaries of distance and time by bringing the classroom into your office or living room. Students who successfully complete both halves of the course will receive a Paralegal Certificate of Completion from their chosen, sponsoring college or university.

Once registered, your password and access information will be emailed to you within 24 hours.

This course will provide you with comprehensive knowledge of the American judicial system. It will also teach you practical skills including how to assist trial attorneys, interview witnesses, investigate complex fact patterns, research the law, and assist in preparing cases for courtroom litigation.

Paralegal 1:

Introduction to Paralegal Studies provides the foundation for the study of paralegalism. During the first half of the course, you will gain an understanding of the American legal system and learn how you can be of assistance in the exciting field of law. Coursework in Paralegal 1 is equivalent to 45 class hours of study.

This course is the first of two courses leading to a Paralegal Certificate. Successful completion of both halves of the Paralegal Certificate Course^© will result in a Paralegal Certificate issued from the sponsoring college or university of your choice. (California paralegals may need to complete Advanced coursework to meet the requirements of new legislation, California Business and Professional Code §6450. Please click here for more information. New Mexico paralegals need to fulfill additional education requirements as set forth in Rule 20-115 NMRA. Please click here for more information. The course is designed to train students to work as paralegals, provide advanced legal workers with additional skills, and educate students in the American legal system.

Paralegal 1 Objectives:

After successfully completing the tests and assignments for the first half of this course, you will know:

The origins and history of the American legal system
The meaning and application of important legal terminology
Attorney and paralegal ethics
Techniques of jury selection and the jury selection process
How to prepare legal documents including demand letters, pleadings, discovery documents, motions and memos
Significant elements of the substantive law of torts, contracts
The important rules of civil procedure and evidence
How to conduct a legal interview
How to conduct legal investigation
How to conduct legal analysis and perform legal problem solving

Expectations

You will be expected to spend an average of 6-7 hours per lesson module reading and completing writing assignments. There are no set deadlines for your assignments but all coursework must be finished in the six month enrollment period.

Please note that one month extensions are available to purchase for $150 a month if you are unable to complete the course in the six month limit and need additional time. Students are allowed a maximum of three extensions for the entire course.

Every assignments must be completed with a 70% or better to pass the course.

The entire course, Paralegal 1 and Paralegal 2, must be completed within 6 months from your registration date. NOTE: To receive your Paralegal Certificate, students must enroll in, and successfully complete both halves of the course (Paralegal 1 and Paralegal 2). Paralegal 1 is a prerequisite for Paralegal 2.

Course Books

The following texts are available to order from CLS by BARBRI. Some of the texts may be available in libraries, but most students prefer to own these texts because they are great references even after the course has ended. Please note that these same texts will also be used for the second half of the course: Paralegal 2.

Paralegal Career for Dummies, 2nd Edition. Hoboken: Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2019 by Scott A. Hatch and Lisa Zimmer Hatch.
Paralegal Certificate Course© Workbook, Golden: CLS by BARBRI, 2010 by Margaret J. Kirk.
Legal Document Preparation Manual for the Paralegal Certificate Course©, Golden: CLS by BARBRI, 2013
Introduction to Paralegalism: Perspectives, Problems and Skills, 8th Edition. Clifton Park: Cengage Learning, 2016 by William Statsky.
Federal Rules for Paralegals, West Academic
Uniform System of Citation (aka “The Bluebook”), most recent edition, Harvard Law Review.

Highly Recommended Legal Resources:

Gilbert Pocket Size Law Dictionary, 3rd Edition. West Academic.

For more information, call CLS by BARBRI at 800-522-7737, or visit our Online Store to order.

Paralegal Part 1: Reading Assignments for Lesson Modules:

Module One: Introduction to the American Legal System

Read Chapter 4 in Paralegal Career for Dummies (“PCD”).
Review the legal terms on pages 315-336 of PCD.
Read Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, concentrating on Rules 1-56.
Read Chapter 6 in Introduction to Paralegalism (“Statsky”)

Module Two: Beginning the Lawsuit and the Discovery Process

Read Chapter 6 in Paralegal Career for Dummies (“PCD”).
Read Chapter 7 pages 101 up to and including Rule 56 on page 111 in PCD.
Read Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, concentrating on Rules 1-56.

Module Three: Torts and Contracts

Read Chapters 5 in PCD.
Read Chapter 2 in Legal Document Preparation Manual (“Legal Doc Prep”)

Module Four: Ethics

Read Chapter 5 in Statsky.
Read Chapters 15, & 19 in PCD.

Module Five: Introduction to Legal Analysis

Read Chapter 7 in Statsky
Read pages 162-168 in PCD.

Module Six: Legal Documents

Read Chapter 12 in Statsky
Read Chapters 10 & 16 in PCD
Read Chapters 1 & 3 in Legal Doc Prep

Module Seven: Discovery Documents

Read Chapter Chapter 9, pages 401-423 (pages 405-420 in e-book edition) in Statsky
Read Chapter 4 in Legal Doc Prep
Review Chapters 10 & 16 in PCD

Module Eight: Legal Interviewing

Read Chapter 8 in Statsky
Read Chapter 12 in PCD

Module Nine: Evidence

Read the rest of Chapter 9 & all of Chapter 10 Statsky
Read Chapter 11 in PCD
Read Chapter 7 pages 111 – 116 in PCD
Read Federal Rules of Evidence

Module Ten: Hearsay

Review Chapter 7 pages 111 – 116 in PCD
Review Federal Rules of Evidence

Module Eleven: Legal Investigation

Review Chapter 11 in PCD
Review Chapters 7 & 9 Statsky
Review “Introduction to the Law” Chapter 6 pages 287-293 (pages 291-297 in e-book edition) in Statsky

Module Twelve: Sources of Information, Handling Tangible Evidence, and the Regulation of Paralegals

Read Chapters 1 & 4 in Statsky

Tests:

There are six 50-point short answer/essay tests covering two modules at at time.

Writing Assignments:

Your writing assignment is to prepare two interoffice memos in which you analyze legal issues. Each memo is worth 100 points.

Reflection Assignments:

You will also post your responses to six 10-point reflection assignments.

All lesson objectives, assignments, and tests can be found in the Lesson Materials.

Grading

Your grade will be based on your completion of six tests, two memos, and six reflection assignments The tests, writing assignments, and reflection assignments can be accessed from within the lesson material, or by selecting ‘Assignments’ under Activities in the course. All assignments must be submitted to pass the course. 70% is the minimum passing score on all assignments.

Your final grade will be figured as follows:

The six tests are 50 points each and comprise 60% of your grade.
Two interoffice memos are 100 points each and comprise 30% of your grade.
The six reflection assignments are 10 points each and comprise 10% of your grade.

Withdrawal Policy

Students have 15 days from the date date they register for the Self-Study course to drop the course with a full tuition refund less a non-refundable $100 administrative fee. Written notice must be sent to CLS by BARBRI by email at [email protected] before midnight on the 15th day after registration. If students drop the class after 15 days from the registration date, no refund will be issued.

Please NOTE: If you registered for a CLS course directly with the college or university, you are subject to the school’s refund/drop policies.

Paralegal Certificate Course: Part 2

Welcome to Paralegal Part 2, the second half of the Paralegal Certificate Course^© (Core Courses) offered via independent study. This course represents the culmination of twenty (20) years of “live” classroom instruction of this course for liberal arts and pre-law students at major universities across the United States. To serve foreign students and law firm employees overseas, as well as people residing far from our live classroom lecture locations, we began offering this course in a video format in 1987. Now, with this independent study format, we are overcoming the boundaries of distance and time by bringing the classroom into your office or living room. Students successfully completing both halves of the course will receive a paralegal certificate from their chosen, sponsoring university.

Once registered, your password and access information will be emailed to you in time for the start of class.

This course will provide you with a working knowledge of legal authority: how it is used in the litigation process and how to locate it through legal research. You will also learn the basics of law office management, substantive law (such as criminal law, domestic relations, real property law, and bankruptcy), and informal and formal advocacy.

Prerequisites:

Successful completion of Paralegal I.

Paralegal 2:

The second half of the course builds on the skills learned in Paralegal 1. You will learn the advanced skills of legal research and writing, formal and informal advocacy, and appellate procedure. Coursework in Paralegal 2 is equivalent to 45 clock hours of study.

This course is the second half of the course leading to a Paralegal Certificate. Successful completion of both halves of the Paralegal Certificate Course^© will result in a Paralegal Certificate issued from the sponsoring university of your choice. (California paralegals may need to complete Advanced coursework to meet the requirements of new legislation, California Business and Professional Code §6450. Please click here for more information. New Mexico paralegals need to fulfill additional education requirements as set forth in Rule 20-115 NMRA. Please click here for more information.) The course is designed to train students to work as paralegals, provide advanced legal workers with additional skills, and educate students about the American legal system.

Paralegal 2 Objectives:

After successfully completing the tests and assignments for the second half of this course, you will know:

The importance of precedence
What legal authority is, and which authority is the most important
How to conduct legal research and learn how to use the 4 most effective legal research tools found in virtually every law library
How to Shepardize your authority
How to properly cite your authority
How to conduct computerized legal research used extensively in law offices throughout the country.
Proper and effective legal writing style
The basic documents for several important substantive areas of law
Advocacy techniques for usage in formal or informal settings, and
How to begin your job search and perhaps begin a freelance paralegal business after your education

Prerequisites

Paralegal 1

Expectations

Please note that 1 month extensions are available to purchase for $150 a month if you are unable to complete the course in the six month limit and need additional time. Students are allowed a maximum of three extensions for the entire course.

Every assignments must be completed with a 70% or better to pass the course.

Course Books

The following texts are available to order from CLS. Some of the texts may be available in libraries, but most students prefer to own these texts because they are great references even after the course has ended. The following texts are required: Please note that these are the same texts you used for the first half of the course (Paralegal 1).

Paralegal Career for Dummies, 2nd Edition. Hoboken: Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2019 by Scott A. Hatch and Lisa Zimmer Hatch.
Paralegal Certificate Course© Workbook, Golden: CLS by BARBRI, 2010 by Margaret J. Kirk.
Legal Document Preparation Manual for the Paralegal Certificate Course©, Golden: CLS by BARBRI, 2013
Introduction to Paralegalism: Perspectives, Problems and Skills, 8th Edition. Clifton Park: Cengage Learning, 2016 by William Statsky.
Federal Rules for Paralegals, West Academic
Uniform System of Citation (aka “The Bluebook”), most recent edition, Harvard Law Review.
WESTLAW, legal research access, available during the online session (maximum of seven weeks) for only $89. Order Online Now

Highly Recommended Legal Resources:

Gilbert Pocket Size Law Dictionary, 3rd Edition. West Academic.

For more information, call CLS at 800-522-7737, or visit our Online Store to order.

Paralegal 2: Reading Assignments for Lesson Topics:

Module One: Legal Authority

Read Chapter 8 in Paralegal Career for Dummies (“PCD”).

Module Two: Introduction to Legal Research

Read Chapter 11 in Introduction to Paralegalism (“Statsky”).

Module Three: Secondary Sources and Finding Tools

Review Chapter 11 in Statsky
Read Chapter 13 in PCD

Module Four: Case Law Application

Review Chapter 13 in PCD

Module Five: Citation Format

Review Chapter 11 in Statsky, concentrating on Citation on pages 506-513 (pages 498-507 if you have the e-book edition)
Review Chapter 13 in PCD, concentrating on pages 214-216

Module Six: Appellate Procedure

Read Chapter 12, Appellate Brief section on pages 542-546 (pages 534-535 in the e-book edition) and Chapter 10, Litigation Assistant: Appeal Section on pages 483-484 (page 477 in e-book edition) in Statsky
Read Chapter 5 in Legal Document Preparation Manual (“Legal Doc Prep”)
Review “Appealing the decision” in PCD on pages pages 87-89

Module Seven: Legal Research

Review Chapter 11 in Statsky

Module Eight: Legal Analysis

Review Chapter 13 in PCD

Module Nine: Legal Writing and Analysis

Read Chapter 12 Statsky
Read Chapter 16 in PCD

Module Ten: Legal Writing and Analysis continued

Review Chapter 12 in Statsky
Review Chapter 16 in PCD

Module Eleven: Law Office Administration, Administrative Agencies & Informal and Formal Advocacy

Read Chapters 13, 14 & 15 in Statsky
Read Chapters 17 & 18 in PCD

Module Twelve: Job-Hunting Techniques & Course Wrap-up

Read Chapter 1, 2, & 3 in PCD
Read Chapters 2 & 3 in Statsky

Tests:

There are six 50-point short answer/essay tests covering two modules at at time.

WESTLAW Research Exercises:

You will complete 3 WESTLAW Research exercises to hone your research skills and help you prepare to research your appellate brief assignment. Each exercise is worth 10 points. Deadlines are posted within your course.

Writing Assignments:

Your writing assignment for this course is to complete an Appellate Brief based on a hypothetical case. This assignment is worth 100 points.

Reflection Assignments:

You will also post your responses to six 10-point reflection assignments.

All lesson objectives, assignments, and tests can be found in the Lesson Materials.

Grading

Your grade will be based on your completion of six tests, two memos, WESTLAW research exercises and six reflection assignments. The tests, writing assignments, and reflection assignments can be accessed from within the lesson material, or by selecting ‘Assignments’ under Activities in the course. All assignments must be submitted to pass the course. 70% is the minimum passing score on all assignments.

Your final grade will be figured as follows:

The six tests are 50 points each and comprise 60% of your grade.
The WESTLAW research assignments are 10 points each and comprise 15% of your grade.
The appellate brief is 100 points and comprises 15% of your grade.
The six reflection assignments are 10 points each and comprise 10% of your grade.

Withdrawal Policy

Students have 15 days from the date date they register for the Self-Study format course to drop the course with a full tuition refund less a non-refundable $100 administrative fee. Written notice must be sent to CLS by BARBRI by email at [email protected] before midnight on the 15th day after registration. If students drop the class after 15 days from the registration date, no refund will be issued.

Please NOTE: If you registered for a CLS course directly with the college or university, you are subject to the school’s refund/drop policies.

* WESTLAW access is available for a maximum of 90 days for only $89.00. Please read the WESTLAW User Agreement for more information.