The Paralegal Professional program prepares learners for entry‑level paralegal roles by combining foundational legal knowledge with real‑world applications. Through practical examples and skill‑focused instruction, learners explore career development, legal ethics, litigation procedures, research and analysis, and professional legal writing. Covering civil, criminal, property, family, employment, bankruptcy, and environmental law, this course equips learners with the competencies needed to support attorneys effectively and confidently begin a paralegal career.
Module 1: The Paralegal Career
Role and responsibilities of paralegals
Required skills and attributes
Career opportunities and professional development
Module 2: Law Office Operations and Ethics
Law firm organization and office management
Professional ethics and regulations
Unauthorized practice of law
Module 3: Sources of American Law
Constitutional, statutory, and case law
Administrative, national, and international law
Common law traditions
Module 4: The Court System
State and federal court structures
Jurisdiction and venue
Alternative dispute resolution
Module 5: Legal Research and Analysis
Case law and statutory research
Issue identification and analysis
Use of secondary legal resources
Module 6: Online Legal Research and Writing
Internet‑based legal research methods
Legal correspondence and memoranda
Standards for legal writing
Module 7: Civil Litigation
Pretrial procedures and pleadings
Discovery and electronic evidence
Interviews and investigations
Module 8: Trial Procedures and Criminal Law
Trial preparation and courtroom procedures
Jury selection and post‑trial actions
Criminal law fundamentals
Module 9: Substantive Areas of Law
Tort law and negligence
Consumer, contract, and intellectual property law
Cyber and commercial issues
Module 10: Real Property and Insurance Law
Real property ownership and transfers
Leasing and sales
Insurance law principles
Module 11: Family, Business, and Employment Law
Family law basics and estate planning
Business organizations and agency law
Employment law fundamentals
Module 12: Bankruptcy and Environmental Law
Bankruptcy processes and courts
Liquidation and repayment plans
Environmental law overview
After completing this program, the learner will be able to:
Identify the roles, responsibilities, and career paths within the paralegal profession
Explain legal ethics, categories of law, and the structure of the court system
Describe the steps involved in pretrial preparation, trial, and post‑trial procedures
Conduct effective legal research and analysis using primary and secondary sources
Apply standards for professional legal writing and communication
Support legal investigations, interviews, and case preparation across multiple areas of law
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.