Professional Development

1. have learned how to conduct legal research.
2. have learned how to perform legal analyses.
3. have learned how to conduct legal interviews.
4. have learned how to create a strong resume that encompasses your specialized skill set and showcases the impact you would make for your next employer.

1. Paralegal in the Legal System
2. Paralegal Employment
3. On-the-Job Realities
4. Regulation of Paralegals
5. Attorney and Paralegal Ethics
6. Introduction to the Legal System
7. Introduction to Legal Analysis
8. Legal Interviewing
9. Investigation in a Law Office
10. Litigation Management
11. Legal Research 101
12. Advanced Legal Research
13. Legal Writing
14. Introduction to the Use of Computers
15. Introduction to Law Office Administration
16. Tort Law, Product Liability, and Consumer Law
17. Contracts, Insurance, and Property Law
18. Estates and Family Law
19. Laws Affecting Business
20. Criminal Law
21. Capstone
22. Portfolio Lesson

225

No

Yes

No

There are no prerequisites to take this course. However, you will need a high school diploma or GED equivalent to start a career as a paralegal. It is also recommended that you have basic computer skills, including proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite and fundamental keyboarding skills. A strong grasp of English grammar conventions, such as spelling, punctuation, and composition, is also recommended.

In order to meet the eligibility requirements to sit for the NALA Certified Paralegal exam, you must hold an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree in any field, or have seven years of experience as a legal assistant under the supervision of a member of the Bar. You should review the exam requirements prior to enrolling in this course.

Hardware Requirements:

This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.
Software Requirements:

PC: Windows XP or later.
Mac: OS X Snow Leopard 10.6 or later.
Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
Microsoft Office (not included in enrollment).
Adobe Flash Player. Click here to download the Flash Player.
Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to download the Acrobat Reader.
Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
Other:

Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:

Introduction to Paralegalism, by William P. Statsky,
Paralegal Today: The Legal Team at Work, by Roger Miller and Mary Meinzinger
Access to Westlaw: Legal Solutions
After successful completion of the course and financial obligation you will receive access to the Certified Paralegal Exam review self-study courses, which includes:
Membership
Access to the self-study courses

1. Attendance 85% or above
2. Participation
3. Student must score 85% or better on the final exam.

Exam Requirements:

You must meet one of the following requirements outlined in Categories 1, 2, or 3 at the time of filing an application form to be eligible for the CP certification exam through NALA.

1. Graduation from or completion of a paralegal program:

(a) approved by the American Bar Association; or

(b) an associate degree program; or

(c) a post-baccalaureate certificate program in paralegal studies; or
(In addition to the official school transcript, a candidate must submit an original course catalog or an original letter from the school registrar or program director attesting that the program is a post-baccalaureate certificate program requiring a bachelor's degree as a prerequisite.)

(d) a bachelor's degree program in paralegal studies; or

(e) a paralegal program which consists of a minimum of 60 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) of which at least 15 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) are substantive legal courses.

(Candidates applying under Category 1(e) may combine college hours from more than one institution. The candidate must have graduated from a paralegal program consisting of a minimum of 15 semester hours (or 225 clock hours or 22.5 quarter hours.) Evidence of the minimum hours required under Category 1(e) must be provided with the application form.)

2. A bachelor's degree in any field plus one year of experience as a paralegal or successful completion of at least 15 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) of substantive paralegal courses.

(Those applying under the provision allowing for additional course work in lieu of the one-year work experience must submit an official school transcript showing completed course work.)

3. A high school diploma or equivalent plus seven (7) years' experience as a legal assistant/paralegal plus a minimum of twenty (20) hours of continuing legal education completed within a two-year period prior to application for the examination.

(Evidence of continuing legal education credit is documented by the attorney/employer attestation that must be signed as part of the application form or by submitting a certificate of completions of CLE taken.)

This course is intended for individuals with an interest in becoming a paralegal.