Online Paralegal Certificate - What You Should Know
The Online paralegal certificate has a coverage similar to on-campus certificate courses. They play an important role in a legal team. Graduates who have an online paralegal certificate are expected to know legal terminology, have the research skills to find relevant legislation and statutes that lawyers need to try specific cases. They also gather information from clients, resource persons, other lawyers and legal databases.
They may hone their organizational, communication and legal knowledge skills in the training programs offered online. There are several offered by associations, colleges and universities and other educational providers.
ABA approved paralegal programs provide training in these professional skills.
- Finding appropriate state and federal statutes
- Researching laws using LexisNexis or a similar online legal database
- Drafting legal documents such as complaints, answers and contracts
- Preparing legal memoranda, motions and other court documents
- Conducting tasks related to investigation and discovery
Where Can You Obtain Your Online Paralegal Certificate
Many paralegal careers have their start with an online paralegal certificate. These are programs currently available.
National Paralegal College
The National Paralegal College offers a program for a certificate. This online paralegal certificate is for individuals who wish to complete their training for entry-level positions. Students who have associate or bachelor degrees may also take the program.
Students taking three courses at a time may finish the program in seven months. Those taking two courses may finish in nine months. Students taking one course at a time finish in 17 months. These are some of the topics in this online paralegal certificate.
- Torts and Personal Injury
- Legal Research, Writing and Civil Litigation
- Professional Responsibility and Legal Ethics
- Criminal Law
- Business Law and Bankruptcy
- Constitutional Law and Criminal Procedure
- Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights
- Environmental Law
- Immigration Law
- Public Communications Law
Students are prepared for the the CLA/CP exam given by the National Association of Legal Assistants to earn the certified legal assistant certification.
Center for Legal Studies
Graduates of this course receive a professional certificate from a selection of over a thousand colleges or universities. Advanced paralegal courses are offered to California paralegals to fulfill California Business and Professional Code requirements.
The online paralegal certificate is offered in live lecture, online, DVD and text-only formats. This program is intended for new as well as practicing paralegals.
Online classes are available on the internet 24/7. Students interact with other students and instructors through email and a discussion board. Assignments and exams are sent through email. Textbooks may be ordered online. The student is also granted online legal research access. Students need 14 weeks to complete the program.
The Online paralegal certificate is a great alternative to traditional paralegal training for prospective and working paralegals.
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