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Paralegal Certificate Program Info Session 05/16/2024 |
Learn from experienced attorneys and paralegals and with peers in scheduled online sessions.
Program Overview:
The Paralegal Certificate Program teaches the most in-demand legal skills and provides a foundational knowledge of ethics and legal principles to help you begin a successful career in the field of law. In less than five months, you will learn current legal processes, best practices in research and analysis, and become familiar with essential topics in law such as torts, contracts and civil procedures. You will gain practical and technical skills and competencies relevant to a range of legal fields. Through a combination of lectures, assignments, projects, e-modules and exams, students gain an in-depth understanding of the following topic areas:
- Essential Skills for Paralegals
- Tort Law
- Texas Civil Procedure and Evidence
- Contract Law
Who Should Enroll:
- Anyone considering a paralegal career
- Aspiring attorneys wanting to gain legal knowledge before law school
- Professionals with transferable skills seeking a career change such as nurses, teachers, law enforcement officers, business managers or healthcare staff
- Current paralegals needing more formal training
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the fundamental tasks paralegals often perform and the skills necessary to meet your client’s needs using real-world cases and scenarios.
- Learn best practices in document preparation, file maintenance, as well as legal writing and research using Westlaw and Lexis research tools.
- Gain foundational knowledge in interview and investigation techniques, legal analysis and civil procedures.
- Acquire skills in resume preparation and strategies for employment geared specifically towards law firms, as well as tips for interviewing and cover letter drafting.
- Understand the Texas Civil Procedure of Evidence, explore tort law, contract law and other civil law practices.
Prerequisites:
Prospective students must have at least a high school diploma. An associate's or bachelor's degree is highly recommended. Successful students enter the program with strong written and verbal communication skills and a high level of proficiency with standard word processing software. Internet and email access are required to complete the program.
Textbook Information:
The registration fee does NOT include the required course textbooks, which you can purchase online through amazon.com.
Essentials:
The Litigation Paralegal: A Systems Approach
6th Edition
ISBN: 978-1285857152
Publisher: Cengage Learning
Torts:
Tort Law for Paralegals
6th Edition
ISBN-13: 978-1454896227
ISBN-10: 1454896221
Publisher: Wolters Kluwer
Contracts:
Basic Contract Law for Paralegals
10th Edition
ISBN-13: 978-1543839531
ISBN-10: 1543839533
Publisher: Aspen Publishing
Procedure/Evidence:
O’Connor’s Texas Rules: Civil Trials
2021 Edition
ISBN: 9781539290452
Publisher: Jones McClure
Note: It is important to obtain the 2021 edition of this textbook because the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure changed significantly starting January 1, 2021.
For the first week of class, you will need The Litigation Paralegal: A Systems Approach textbook. Please note, it may take a while to receive your books, so please order them at least 10 days before the first day of class.
Additional Information:
This is a Canvas-based program.
Career Services:
The program curriculum includes special classes focused on delivering the skills needed for graduates to obtain a job, including resume drafting, interviewing tactics and utilizing social media to help in your job search. Additionally, graduates of the UT Austin Paralegal Certificate Program have access to networking and mentorship opportunities through a 1-year membership with the Capital Area Paralegal Association, which is granted upon starting the program. UT Austin cannot guarantee that each graduate will obtain a job directly after graduating, but we do share internship and job opportunities as they are shared with us.
Continuing Education Hours:
Continuing Education Units:
9.4
CEUs
Discounts:
Interested students may be eligible to apply for the Road to Success Scholarship, which could cover up to 80% of this program's tuition.
Find additional information about available discounts.
Program ID:
PLC-5001
Related Articles:
For withdrawal, transfer and refund information, see Policy Code D.
At A Glance
Duration:
Five months
Modality:
Online Instructor-Led
Tuition:
$5295. Early-bird rate until two weeks prior to start date.
Contact
