Program Overview

Paralegal Studies - Litigation Practice Certificate

The Litigation Practice Certificate is designed to prepare students to work in civil litigation on the state and federal level. Special attention is given to strengthening legal technology skills. Electives offer students opportunities to explore different areas of law.

Overview

Admission Requirements

Certificate applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

Curriculum

The Litigation Practice Certificate in Paralegal Studies requires the successful completion of 11 courses (22 semester hours).

• Paralegal Core:
  • PLST 331: Introduction to Paralegal Studies (2 hours)
  • PLST 332: Legal Research and Writing I (2 hours)
  • PLST 333: Legal Research and Writing II (2 hours)
  • PLST 335: Legal Ethics (2 hours)
  • PLST 345: Law Office Computer Applications (2 hours)
• Litigation Practice Core:
  • PLST 340: Civil Litigation I (2 hours)
  • PLST 341: Civil Litigation II (2 hours)
  • PLST 342: Litigation Technology & eDiscovery (2 hours)
  • PLST 336: Corporate Topics for Litigation Paralegals (2 hours)
• Elective Courses:
  • Select two of the following:
    • PLST 334: Legal Analysis: Practical Applications
    • PLST 343: Real Estate Transactions I
    • PLST 344: Real Estate Transactions II
    • PLST 346: Advanced Litigation Technology
    • PLST 348: Advanced Online Research Skills
    • PLST 349: Torts
    • PLST 350: Medical Malpractice
    • PLST 351: Intellectual Property: Patents and Trade Secrets
    • PLST 352: Intellectual Property: Trademarks and Copyrights
    • PLST 353: Securities Regulation
    • PLST 355: Estates, Trusts & Wills
    • PLST 357: Family Law
    • PLST 358: Criminal Law and Litigation
    • PLST 359: Environmental Law
    • PLST 360: Employment Law
    • PLST 361: Immigration Law
    • PLST 368: Corporate Compliance Topics
    • PLST 398: Internship
  • Total Hours: 22

Suggested Sequence of Courses

The Institute for Paralegal Studies provides a high-touch advising model to accommodate the professional experience and educational goals of each individual student. The Director works directly with students to determine an appropriate sequence of courses starting at admission into their respective program based on their needs and career goals.

Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations

Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supersede school policies.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the certificate, students will be able to:

• Prepare summaries of court decisions, statutes, and administrative regulations.
• Develop legal arguments using court decisions, statutes, and administrative regulations.
• Locate relevant legal sources from federal and state jurisdictions.
• Apply paralegal and attorney code of ethics to situations typically encountered by paralegals.
• Demonstrate intermediate competence using typical office software including Word, Excel, Adobe, and PowerPoint.
• Draft court pleadings and maintain case files and databases.
• Collect and organize information through investigation and the discovery process.
• Help prepare the case for trial, and often assist attorneys at trial by coordinating the case material.