Online Undergraduate Certificate in Paralegal Studies

Identify and examine formats, principles, and research tools necessary for effective written communication. A practical approach for leaders in managing the diversity and dynamics of communication needs to achieve desired results. This course fulfills a CSUG General Education Written Communication requirement. 

Credits: 3

Introduction to Law for Paralegals is a foundational course designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles, concepts, and institutions that shape the legal system. This course explores the sources of law, the structure of the judicial system, and the fundamental legal principles that govern society. Students are introduced to important legal terminology and different types of law, including statutory law and common law, and key concepts in legal ethics will be examined. They will learn how to identify legal elements in statutes or causes of action and conduct basic legal analysis. Students will learn important components of a written decision and develop case briefing skills. Finally, students will practice important paralegal tasks, including drafting client interview questions and preparing a presentation for gathering evidence in a hypothetical case.

Credits: 3

The purpose of this course is to equip paralegal students with the foundational skills necessary to conduct effective legal research, draft professional legal documents, and apply accurate legal analysis. Through practical exercises and applied learning, students will learn how to identify and use various forms of legal authority, support attorneys in case preparation, and communicate findings clearly and ethically. This course builds the core competencies every paralegal needs to perform confidently and competently in a legal environment.

Credits: 3

In this course, students will focus on all aspects of the fundamentals of criminal law. Major topics covered in the course include elements of various types of crimes; requisite mental states for crimes; the nature and purpose of criminal responsibility; criminal defenses, and theories of criminal responsibility. This course also examines constitutional criminal procedure and rights of the defendant under the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments. Key doctrines including the exclusionary rule, Miranda rights, and warrant requirements will be covered.

Credits: 3

This course examines the theory and procedural rules employed in civil litigation, with a focus on jurisdiction and venue, pleadings, pre-trial motions, discovery, trials, and appeals. Students will learn about the organization and jurisdiction of federal and state courts, including emphasis on personal and subject matter jurisdiction. Students will draft documents including pleadings, motions and discovery requests. Special emphasis is placed upon the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

Credits: 3

The Business Law and Real Estate for Paralegals course covers agency law and the most common types of business organizations a paralegal may encounter. This essential course provides paralegal students with a foundational and practical understanding of key legal principles governing both business organizations and real property transactions. It also includes a review of various aspects of real estate transactions, such as types of deeds, methods of transferring title, rights of owners of real estate, elements of a real estate contract, and much more. The focus of the course is on the paralegal’s role in these transactions, beginning with legal theory and following up with practical applications. Successful completion of this course will equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively contribute to legal practices specializing in business and real estate law.

Credits: 3

Legal Ethics for Paralegals is a specialized course that focuses on the ethical principles and professional responsibilities governing the practice of law. This course examines the ethical dilemmas faced by legal professionals, the rules of professional conduct, and the importance of integrity, confidentiality, and professional responsibility in the legal profession. Through a combination of interactive discussions and critical thinking assignments, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of legal ethics and develop the skills necessary for ethical decision-making and professional conduct in the legal field.

Credits: 3

This course provides an integrated introduction to consumer bankruptcy and estate planning, emphasizing the legal principles that govern debtor relief, asset protection, and the transfer of property at death. Students will examine the statutory and procedural foundations of bankruptcy, the operation of the automatic stay, and the policy considerations underlying debtor creditor relationships. The estate planning portion of the course explores wills, trusts, probate administration, and property classification, with attention to testamentary intent and practical drafting considerations.

Credits: 3

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles of tort liability, which governs most civil lawsuits outside of contract disputes. Students will explore public policy reasoning for liability and learn about the primary theories of tort law, including intentional tort, negligence and strict liability. Students will also learn about defamation and privacy torts and examine key defenses available to the defendants in tort claims. Students will analyze tort causes of action and defenses and communicate legal analysis effectively through written assignments.

Credits: 3

This course examines the foundational principles governing legal agreements, from formation to enforcement. Students will analyze the essential elements necessary for a valid contract, including offer, acceptance, consideration, legality, and capacity. The course highlights key distinctions between common law principles and the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) for commercial transactions. Students will examine defenses to breach of contract, determine appropriate legal and equitable remedies and evaluate legal justifications for excused performance. Through practical exercises, students will develop drafting skills to create clear, enforceable, and unambiguous contract language.

Credits: 3