Paralegal Studies Certificate Program
Includes support in Spanish!
Acquire the knowledge you need to enter the paralegal profession.The paralegal profession continues to be one of the fastest growing career opportunities in the country. A recent survey conducted by ALM Research, a leading source of business intelligence for legal professionals, also indicates compensation for paralegals is rising steadily above the cost of living. UC Davis Extension offers its acclaimed Paralegal Studies Certificate Program online every quarter and in the classroom during the summer.
- Instructors who are licensed attorneys
- LexisNexis and Westlaw online legal research database subscription for one year
- Lecture notes, exercises, diagrams, charts, forms, templates, writing and research labs, and mock exams (exams must be taken in English) accessed through the ParaStudent website (in English or Spanish)
- The UC Davis Extension online and classroom Paralegal Studies Program is in compliance with California Business & Professions Code 6450 through 6456 regulatory standards for paralegal education
This dynamic certificate program provides you with the skills you need to enter this exciting profession.
Why choose this program over other type programs?
The high quality instruction of this curriculum combined with the expertise of its instruction, provided by members of the bar association, result is an unparalleled and dynamic educational experience. According to the 2004 Salary Survey by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), about half of employed paralegals have obtained their specific training from paralegal certificate programs.
Who should enroll?
- Legal staff who wish to enhance or advance their careers by earning a professional credential
- Career changers looking for a professional career with strong compensation
- Those involved in legal matters who want to gain a clearer understanding of legal processes
- Those considering law school (this program gives you a distinct advantage)
Comprehensive program
Excellent resource materials--including, texts, workbooks and CD-ROM. Access to a website with additional resources only for program participants, including lecture notes, mock exams, templates and forms, online citation assistance, online court rules, textbook summary and quizzes, chat rooms for instructor and students, and practice exercise questions. Please feel free to test drive our online support materials and experience the UC Davis Paralegal Studies Certificate Program. To visit the test drive site, please go to http://www.testdrive.ucdavisparalegalstudies.com/.
Statement Regarding California Regulatory Requirements
The UC Davis Extension online and classroom Paralegal Studies Program is in compliance with California Business & Professions Code 6450 through 6456. The California regulations require that a paralegal program offer either 24 semester units or an equivalent amount of hours related to law. This course meets or exceeds the regulatory standard of 360 classroom hours. In addition, students earn up to 21 quarter units of academic credit for the program. Students should expect to devote at least 360 hours of academic work of online and/or face-to-face instruction.
Program outline
Introduction: Paralegal Studies Certificate Program Essentials
Explore legal ethics, legal terminology, legal research and writing, pleading preparation, utilization of forms and form books, legal analysis, client correspondence, interviewing, investigation, citation forms, the specifics of evidence, trial preparation and how to manage your clients.
Advanced Topics
Build upon the introductory portion with more in-depth study of those topics as well as preparation of discovery documents, e-discovery, motions, notices, legal technology, employment strategies, and online legal research with both LexisNexis and Westlaw.
California Procedures for Paralegals
Explore litigation procedures in the state courts of California, from both an academic, as well as a law practitioner's point of view. Receive step-by-step instruction on how to:
- Prepare summons and complaints
- Obtain default judgment
- Prepare answers and cross Complaints
- Evaluate and draft various pretrial motions and discovery requests
- Prepare cases for trial and trial related documents and motions
- Enforce a judgment after trial
In addition, learn the California court system and basic appellate processes, how to interpret and apply California Code of Civil Procedure, California Rules of Court, as well as various local court rules and legal forms.
Tort Law for Paralegals
Gain an understanding of laws pertaining to personal injury, product liability and malpractice. Examine the intentional torts of battery, assault, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of mental distress, trespass to chattel, trespass to property and conversion. Analyze negligence, breach of duty, causation and damages, liability issues and defenses, and malpractice.
Contract Law for Paralegals
Contracts are involved in virtually every field of law. Focus on the specialized skills of contract drafting, analysis and litigation. Examine several kinds of contracts and draft a contract as a part of your course requirements. Learn about remedies for non-performance (i.e., breach of contract) and third party contracts.
Program Designers
Alyssa Navallo and Daniel Barber are paralegals and nationally-recognized educators who have designed, developed courses and consulted for paralegal programs at some of the most highly respected universities in the U.S., including Duke University, DePaul University, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, Emory University, Rice University, the University of Miami, the University of Tennessee, Xavier University and John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Admission Criteria
In order to enroll in this program you must hold a high school diploma or an advanced degree. In addition, participants need both word processing and basic Internet skills.
Instructor(s):
Tammi Clearfield, J.D., M.S.,
has a private law practice in Coral Gables, Florida. She has more than 12 years of legal experience and more than 10 years of teaching experience, both in the classroom and online, at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Clearfield is also a court certified family law mediator.Alan Beckman, J.D., has been actively practicing and teaching law for more than 30 years. He has practiced law in three states and served on numerous federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. Beckman has practiced both criminal and civil law in private practice and in the public sector as an assistant city attorney, assistant state attorney, assistant attorney general and as a state solicitor general. He is an experienced instructor and has published six legal texts.
Margaret Pickard, J.D., is admitted to practice law in California, Montana and before the U.S. District Court, Ninth Circuit. Pickard sat as a special master over domestic violence cases in the Juneau, Alaska, Superior Courts and has served as a family court mediator. She developed a successful civil practice in Missoula, Mont., before joining the faculty of the University of Montana. Pickard is the author of several legal texts, most recently Divorce and the Unbroken Circle of Love and Job Strategies for Paralegals.
When:
Enroll now through March 26 and complete within six months of receiving your password. Passwords issued starting Jan. 4. ..
Format:
Please set up your email account to receive email from paralegaledu@aol.com; otherwise, the email with your password may not reach your inbox. You will receive your password via email on the start date, or within two business days of enrolling if you enroll after the start date. From the day you receive your password, you will have six months to complete the course. If you do not receive your password in the timeframe noted, please email businessinfo@ucde.ucdavis.edu.
Technical requirements:
A multimedia capable computer, a current email account and access to the Web using an Internet browser.
Fee:
$6,495.00 materials are not included apprx. $600.
Credit:
21 quarter units academic credit, X425.1
Section:
093PLG300
Enrollment policies:
Requests to withdraw from a course must be received in writing via email before your allotted time has expired. Send an email to businessinfo@ucde.ucdavis.edu requesting a withdrawal. You will need to include your name, the course title and the course section number. Following the proper withdrawal procedure will ensure an appropriate grade assignment. No extensions will be granted for this course. Refunds will be issued up until two (2) weeks after receiving password.
