Corporate Practice
The Corporate Practice Certificate1 is designed to prepare students to work in areas of law that are important in the transaction of business, such as corporate maintenance, due diligence, contracts, commercial transactions, and regulatory compliance.
Note: Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as authorized by law.
Curriculum
The Corporate Practice Certificate in Paralegal Studies requires the successful completion of 11 courses (22 semester hours).
Course List
Code |
Title |
Hours |
PLST 331 | Introduction to Paralegal Studies | 2 |
PLST 332 | Legal Research and Writing I | 2 |
PLST 333 | Legal Research and Writing II | 2 |
PLST 335 | Legal Ethics | 2 |
PLST 345 | Law Office Computer Applications | 2 |
PLST 362 | Business Organizations | 2 |
PLST 363 | Contract Administration & Analysis | 2 |
PLST 339 | Secured Transactions and Bankruptcy | 2 |
PLST 366 | Litigation Topics for Corporate Paralegals | 2 |
| 4 |
| Legal Analysis: Practical Applications | |
| Real Estate Transactions I | |
| Real Estate Transactions II | |
| Advanced Litigation Technology | |
| Advanced Online Research Skills | |
| Torts | |
| Medical Malpractice | |
| Intellectual Property: Patents and Trade Secrets | |
| Intellectual Property: Trademarks and Copyrights | |
| Securities Regulation | |
| Estates, Trusts & Wills | |
| Family Law | |
| Criminal Law and Litigation | |
| Environmental Law | |
| Employment Law | |
| Immigration Law | |
| Corporate Compliance Topics | |
| Internship | |
| |
Total Hours | 22 |
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study. Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.
Plan of Study Grid
Year 1 |
Fall |
PLST 331 |
Introduction to Paralegal Studies |
2 |
PLST 362 |
Business Organizations |
2 |
| Hours | 4 |
Spring |
PLST 332 |
Legal Research and Writing I |
2 |
PLST 366 |
Litigation Topics for Corporate Paralegals |
2 |
| Hours | 4 |
Summer |
PLST 333 |
Legal Research and Writing II |
2 |
PLST 335 |
Legal Ethics |
2 |
| Hours | 4 |
Year 2 |
Fall |
PLST 339 |
Secured Transactions and Bankruptcy |
2 |
|
2 |
| Hours | 4 |
Spring |
PLST 363 |
Contract Administration & Analysis |
2 |
|
2 |
| Hours | 4 |
Summer |
PLST 345 |
Law Office Computer Applications |
2 |
| Hours | 2 |
| Total Hours | 22 |
Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations
Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supercede school policies.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the certificate:
- Prepare summaries of court decisions, statutes, and administrative regulations.
- Develop legal arguments using court decisions, statutes, and administrative regulations.
- Locate relevant legal sources from federal and state jurisdictions.
- Apply paralegal and attorney code of ethics to situations typically encountered by paralegals.
- Demonstrate intermediate competence using typical office software including Word, Excel, Adobe and PowerPoint.
- Assist attorneys who work for corporate clients document the organization and operation of business entities.
- Retrieve information to conduct due diligence procedures for commercial and real estate transactions.
- Draft contract provisions and coordinate the administrative process for contracts.
- Help clients in regulated industries demonstrate compliance with government regulations.