This certificate combines the requirements of the Litigation Practice and Corporate Practice certificates¹ and is designed for students who wish to earn specialized credentials in both subject areas. Note that this certificate requires completion of a total of 28 semester credits, more than the other certificates.

Note: Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as authorized by law.

¹

Certificate applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. 

Curriculum

The Dual Litigation and Corporate Practice Certificate in Paralegal Studies requires the successful completion of 14 courses (28 semester hours). Each course is two credit hours.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Paralegal Core
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
Dual Certificate Core
PLST 340	Civil Litigation I	2
PLST 341	Civil Litigation II	2
PLST 342	Litigation Technology & eDiscovery	2
PLST 362	Business Organizations	2
PLST 363	Contract Administration & Analysis	2
PLST 339	Secured Transactions and Bankruptcy	2
Elective Courses
Select three of the following:		6
PLST 334	Legal Analysis: Practical Applications
PLST 343	Real Estate Transactions I
PLST 344	Real Estate Transactions II
PLST 346	Advanced Litigation Technology
PLST 348	Advanced Online Research Skills
PLST 349	Torts
PLST 350	Medical Malpractice
PLST 351	Intellectual Property: Patents and Trade Secrets
PLST 352	Intellectual Property: Trademarks and Copyrights
PLST 353	Securities Regulation
PLST 355	Estates, Trusts & Wills
PLST 357	Family Law
PLST 358	Criminal Law and Litigation
PLST 359	Environmental Law
PLST 360	Employment Law
PLST 361	Immigration Law
PLST 368	Corporate Compliance Topics
PLST 398	Internship
Any other course for which the student qualifies
Total Hours		28

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		Hours
PLST 331	Introduction to Paralegal Studies	2
PLST 362	Business Organizations	2
	Hours	4
Spring
PLST 332	Legal Research and Writing I	2
PLST 340	Civil Litigation I	2
	Hours	4
Summer
PLST 333	Legal Research and Writing II	2
PLST 341	Civil Litigation II	2
	Hours	4
Year 2
Fall
PLST 339	Secured Transactions and Bankruptcy	2
Select one from list of Electives		2
	Hours	4
Spring
PLST 363	Contract Administration & Analysis	2
Select one from list of Electives		2
	Hours	4
Summer
PLST 342	Litigation Technology & eDiscovery	2
Select one from list of Electives		2
	Hours	4
Year 3
Fall
PLST 345	Law Office Computer Applications	2
Select one from list of Electives		2
	Hours	4
	Total Hours	28

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:

1. Prepare summaries of court decisions, statutes, and administrative regulations.
2. Develop legal arguments using court decisions, statutes, and administrative regulations.
3. Locate relevant legal sources from federal and state jurisdictions.
4. Apply paralegal and attorney code of ethics to situations typically encountered by paralegals.
5. Demonstrate intermediate competence using typical office software including Word, Excel, Adobe and PowerPoint.
6. Draft court pleadings and maintain case files and databases.
7. Collect and organize information through investigation and the discovery process.
8. Help prepare the case for trial, and often assist attorneys at trial by coordinating the case material.
9. Assist attorneys who work for corporate clients document the organization and operation of business entities.
10. Retrieve information to conduct due diligence procedures for commercial and real estate transactions.
11. Draft contract provisions and coordinate the administrative process for contracts.
12. Help clients in regulated industries demonstrate compliance with government regulations.