Language: English
Short Description: This certified entry level paralegal program is designed to prepare students for certification. Therefore, you don’t need to have any prior experience in the law. This program will take care of that for you.
Our program aims to prepare students to sit for the Certified Paralegal exam by NALA. With a Certified Paralegal credential, you can offer services to firms as a paralegal.
This program contains a plethora of assessment material, which will ensure that students are ready to take this certification exam. You’ll also have interactive learning opportunities, such as activities, games, and flash cards, which make the learning process more engaging.
In a nutshell, this program provides students, who have no experience in law, with the necessary knowledge and skills to secure entry-level paralegal jobs as a starting point. After that, it’s up to you to develop a career in law for yourself.
Instructor Description: Though this program is a self-paced program it is supported by an educational mentor. Educational mentors are subject matter experts who have years of experience in their field as well as the necessary educational training and credentials to work as an expert. The mentor is available to answer any questions a learner may have including questions on course content, course material, certifications, and even industry questions. Mentors also monitor the progress of learners to ensure training retention and program advancement. In eLearning, motivation is a key tool to success. Because of this, mentors provide encouraging comments, feedback, and coaching to motivate learners throughout the duration of the program to support completion and success!
Certification: Upon successfully completion of the training program, learners will be prepared to sit for the Certified Paralegal certification exam through NALA. Learners will be provided an exam voucher,
at no cost, to sit for the exam.
To be eligible for the Certified Paralegal examination, a paralegal must meet one of the following requirements listed below. The NALA Certifying Board and NALA do not provide nor approve any education that is required for initial certification.
1. Graduation from a paralegal program that is:
(a) Approved by the American Bar Association; or
(b) An associate degree program; or
(c) A post-baccalaureate certificate program in paralegal studies; or
(d) A bachelor's degree program in paralegal studies; or
(e) A paralegal program which consists of a minimum of 60 semester hours (900 clock hours or 90 quarter hours) of which at least 15 semester hours (225 clock hours or 22.5 quarter hours) are substantive legal courses.
Each state may have additional licensing requirements, be sure to research your states requirements for employment by visiting your states occupation board.
Requirements
Internet Connection
• Broadband or High-Speed (DSL, Cable, Wireless)
Hardware Requirements
• Processor - 2GHz Processor or Higher
• Memory - 1 GB RAM Minimum Recommended
Software Requirements
• Operating Systems - Windows 7, 8 or 10; Mac OS x 10 or higher
• Microsoft Office or a Word Processing application to save and open Microsoft Office formats (.doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx)
• Internet Browsers - Google Chrome is highly recommended
• Cookies MUST be enabled
• Pop-ups MUST be allowed (Pop-up Blocker disabled)
• Adobe PDF Reader
Hide Syllabus
Lesson 1
Paralegal Professional
Module 1: The Paralegal Career
• What is a Paralegal?
• Paralegal Tasks
• Educational Options
• Skills and Attributes
• Career Opportunities
• Compensation
• Organizational Structure of Law Firms
• Filing Procedures
• Communications
• Law Office Culture and Politics
Module 2: American Law and Court Systems
• Regulation of Attorneys
• Attorney Ethics
• Regulation of Paralegals
• Sources of American Law
• Constitutional Law
• Statutory Law
• Administrative Law
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Basic Judicial Requirements
• Federal and State Court Systems
Module 3: Online Legal Research and Analysis
• Researching Case Law
• Case Reporting System
• Analyzing Case Law
• Researching Constitutional and Statutory Law
• Analyzing Statutory Law
• Legal Resources on the Internet
• Lexis and Westlaw
• Alternative Legal Research Sources
• Conducting Online Research
Module 4: Legal Writing and Civil Litigation
• Receiving a Writing Assignment
• Tools for Writers
• Pleadings, Discovery and Motions
• General Legal Correspondence
• The Legal Memorandum
• Preliminaries and Pleadings
• Discovery of Electronic Evidence
• Maintenance of Electronic Records
• Pretrial Motions
Module 5: Interviews, Investigations and Trial Procedures
• Planning for the Interview
• Interviewing Skills
• Interviewing Clients
• Interviewing Witnesses
• Planning and Conducting Investigations
• Preparing for Trial
• Jury Selection
• Post-trial Motions and Procedures
Module 6: Criminal, Tort and Consumer Law
• Defining Crime
• Types of Crime
• Cyber Crime
• Prosecution
• Intentional Torts
• Negligence
• Product Liability
• Consumer Law
Module 7: Contracts, Insurance Law and Family Law
• Requirements to Form a Valid Contract
• Defenses to Contract Enforceability
• Sales Contracts and Warranties
• Contract Performance and Remedies
• Online Contracting and Electronic Signatures
• Intellectual Property Law
• Real Property
• Insurance Law
• Family Law
• Wills, Trusts and Estates
Module 8: Employment Law, Bankruptcy and Environmental Law
• Forms of Business Organization
• Agency Law
• Employment Law
• Bankruptcy Code
• Liquidation Proceedings
• Individual Repayment Plans
• Reorganizations
• Environmental Law
Discover a Career as a Paralegal
Module 1: Paralegal Duties
• Duties of a Paralegal in a Law Firm and Public Sector
• Skills Required by a Paralegal
• Importance of the Legal Precedence in American Jurisprudence
• Paralegal Specialties
• Categories Used to Describe Types of Law
Module 2: Legal Authority
• Explanation of Mandatory and Persuasive Authority
• Understanding of Primary and Secondary Authority
• The Court Doctrine of Stare Decisis
• Preparing Legal Documents
• Gathering Evidence as a Paralegal
Module 3: Legal Research
• Preparing for the Initial Interview
• Searching for Applicable Law
• Pre-Trial Duties for a Paralegal in a Civil Case
• Differences Between Procedural and Substantive Law
• Criminal Trial Procedures
Module 4: Effective Writing Style
• Effective Writing for a Paralegal
• Mastering the Mechanics of Writing
• Maintaining a Good Filing System
• Most Important Rules of Ethics
• Using a Calendar System for Time Management
Hide Syllabus