Paralegal Certificate at Charter Oak State College

Certificate Programs
Certificate programs are designed for adults who are interested in learning a specific set of skills and gaining knowledge in a certain area, but may not want to earn a degree. Credits earned apply toward a Charter Oak associate or baccalaureate degree.

Post-Baccalaureate Paralegal Certificate Program Requirements ^{1, 2}

Core Courses (12 Credits): ^{3, 4}
Civil Procedures (PLG 105)	3 credits
Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility (PLG 301)	3 credits
Legal Research, Writing and Reasoning (PLG 210) ⁵	3 credits
Technology in Law (PLG 110)	3 credits
SUBTOTAL	12 credits
Elective Courses (12 Credits): Student's choice of 4 electives (Areas of specialization)
Bankruptcy Law (PLG 330) ⁶
Business Law (BUS 120)
Criminal Law (PLG 211)
Elder Law (PLG 311)
Environmental Law (PLG 312)
Family Law (PLG 320)
Health Care Law (HCA 411)
Insurance Law (PLG 412) ⁶
Intellectual Property (PLG 415) ⁶
Juvenile/Education Law (PLG 325)
Wills, Probate and Administration (PLG 215)
Public Administration Law (PUB 120)
Real Estate Law (PLG 314)
SUBTOTAL	12 credits
TOTAL REQUIRED CREDITS	24 credits

Notes:

A bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited institution of higher education is required in order to enroll in this certificate program; an official transcript must be submitted.
A maximum of 12 credits can transferred into the certificate program with the exception of PLG 210: Legal Research, Writing and Reasoning.
Core courses must be completed prior to or concurrently with any elective courses.
All courses are conducted in an 8-week accelerated format using Blackboard. Not all courses are available each term or semester.
PLG 210: Legal Research, Writing and Reasoning must be taken at Charter Oak State College.
Course scheduled for spring 2009 development.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who complete a certificate in Paralegal Studies should be able to:

Articulate the role of a paraprofessional in various settings.
Understand, apply and adhere to ethical and professional practices within the scope of their position.
Communicate effectively orally and through writing.
Use technology - software and hardware, required of the industry and for communication (i.e., Legal Technology Certificate).
Understand the doctrines of the Attorney/client privilege and apply that to legal review.
Explain the state and federal court structures and the role of the paralegal's law firm or corporate legal department within that structure.
Conduct legal research effectively.
Explain the different kinds of law.
Demonstrate practical applications required of paralegals demonstrate basic skills of management demonstrate the ability to work in teams.
Demonstrate an understanding of diversity and its importance in the workplace and in the law.

Grades of C or higher must be earned in each certificate course.

Download Charter Oak's Certificate Application as a .pdf.

To register for courses, go to Course Search & Registration and search under the subject "Paralegal Studies".

Paralegal Certificate

Post-Baccalaureate Paralegal Certificate Program Requirements 1, 2

Post-Baccalaureate Paralegal Certificate Program Requirements ^{1, 2}