Dixie State University partners with Center for Legal Studies to offer paralegal certificate

Dixie State University partners with Center for Legal Studies to offer paralegal certificate

Dixie State University and the Center for Legal Studies are teaming up to present an online Paralegal Certificate Course and other certificate programs.

Providing students with affordable, effective and comprehensive legal education, the Center for Legal Studies will offer non-credit bearing continuing education certificates in paralegal, legal secretary, legal investigation and alternative dispute resolution through Dixie State’s Community/Continuing Education program. Test prep programs for the ACT, SAT, GRE, LSAT and GMAT are also available.

All courses are online and take place over seven weeks, with the paralegal program requiring two seven-week sessions. The first sessions for all courses begin Oct. 17. Sessions will also be offered beginning Jan. 10, March 6 and May 1, 2017.

“The national median earnings for paralegals is about $44,500 per year,” Dixie State’s Vice President of Academic Affairs Michael Lacourse said. “This affordable course is a great way to prepare for a new career. Plus, because the course is fully online, it can be done in the comfort of your own home when it is convenient for you, making it very doable for even the busiest of people.”

Geared toward anyone who wants to learn more about America’s legal system, the Paralegal Certificate Course prepares participants to work in a law office as a paralegal, open a freelance paralegal business, litigate cases on a pro se basis or assist retained attorneys in litigating their own cases. It also helps prepare students for success in their first year of law school.

In the first session of the paralegal course, participants gain a foundation in the study of Para legalism and a detailed understanding of the American legal system, terminology and ethics. Instruction also includes the preparation of pleadings, discovery, motions and briefs as well as the rules of evidence and civil procedure.

In the second session, participants gain more advanced legal skills including research, writing and proper citation format. They also learn how to prepare important legal documents relating to corporations, partnerships, wills, trusts, real property, bankruptcy and domestic relations. Students are enrolled in both sessions when they sign up for the Paralegal Certificate Course.

For more information or to register for this course and other continuing education courses offered through Dixie State University, visit ce.utahtech.edu or call 435-652-7675.