The Discover a Career as a Paralegal course introduces learners to a fast‑growing and rewarding profession within the legal field. Designed for individuals interested in law and legal support roles, this course explores what it takes to become a paralegal, including daily responsibilities, work environments, and the skills required for success. Learners gain insight into education and training pathways, as well as current trends shaping the paralegal profession.
Module 1: Paralegal Roles & the Legal System
Introduces the structure of the U.S. judicial system and the role of the paralegal. Learners explore paralegal duties across law firms, government agencies, and public sector organizations, required skills, legal specialties, and common categories of law.
Module 2: Legal Authority & Evidence
Covers the foundations of legal authority and the paralegal’s role in legal research and fact‑finding. Topics include mandatory vs. persuasive authority, primary and secondary sources, stare decisis, document preparation, and gathering evidence.
Module 3: Legal Research & Pre‑Trial Procedures
Focuses on researching applicable law, conducting interviews, maintaining professionalism, and supporting civil and criminal cases. Learners examine procedural vs. substantive law and key pre‑trial responsibilities.
Module 4: Legal Writing, Ethics & Office Organization
Develops professional legal writing skills, emphasizing clarity, tone, proofreading, and accuracy. Also covers records management, filing systems, time management tools, and ethical responsibilities in legal practice.
Upon successful completion of this course, learners will be able to:
Describe the role and responsibilities of a paralegal
Identify common work settings and career paths for paralegals
Understand the education, training, and professional requirements for entering the field
Explain how paralegals support attorneys and legal teams
Recognize the evolution of the paralegal profession and current industry trends
Evaluate whether a paralegal career aligns with personal interests and goals
Certificate of completion
This class is an independent-study course. Students will have all the resources needed to successfully complete the course within the online material. A student helpdesk is available for technical support during the course enrollment.