Certificate in Paralegal Studies

• 24 required credit hours

The certificate program in paralegal studies is designed to provide the theoretical and practical education needed by those who work or desire to work as paralegals or legal assistants. Webster University will issue a certificate recognizing the successful completion (C- or better) of a 24-credit-hour core in paralegal studies.

All core courses must be taken at Webster University. Since core courses are generally taught at the advanced level, students must have earned at least 84 credit hours, including the 24-credit-hour core in paralegal studies, before a certificate can be issued. Webster University's St. Louis area paralegal programs are approved by the American Bar Association.

Course Requirements

Note: A legal assistant or paralegal is a person, qualified by education, training, or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.

Paralegals or Legal Assistants may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law. Webster University's St. Louis area paralegal programs have been approved by the American Bar Association.

• Legal Studies Course Descriptions

LEGL 2400 Introduction to Law (3)

This course introduces students to the basic history, function and substance of the American legal system. This course covers the entire gamut of law in general terms, as well as on specific areas of law such as torts, contracts and property. Students will be introduced to legal terminology, the court system and the nature of legal reasoning. Further, students will integrate their prior knowledge with the knowledge they gain in this course. Current legal events and cases will be discussed and integrated into the course. (Cross-listed with POLT 2400).

LEGL 3000 Legal Ethics (3)

Examines the ethical and professional responsibilities of legal professionals. Students will examine such issues as confidentiality, unauthorized practice of law, and conflict of interest, as well as other ethical concerns likely to face legal assistants. Prerequisite: LEGL 2400 or POLT 2400, or permission of department chair.

LEGL 3490 Civil Litigation (3)

This course focuses on the elements of trial practice including fact investigation, discovery, drafting of motions and pleadings, control of deadlines and dates, and construction of the trial notebook. Prerequisite: LEGL 2400 or POLT 2400.

LEGL 4460 Methods of Legal Research and Writing I (3)

A primary purpose of this course is to focus on the practical skills and ethical decisions required of practicing paralegals. This course focuses on familiarizing the student with legal reference materials by locating, analyzing and summarizing state statutes, local ordinances, court opinions and administrative rules. Students learn the essential skills of legal researching, legal and logical reasoning and begin to develop legal writing skills. This course enables the student to apply the theory of legal research and writing to practical problems encountered in the legal environment. Prerequisites: junior standing or permission of the department chair and LEGL 2400 or POLT 2400.

LEGL 4470 Methods of Legal Research and Writing II (3)

As this course is designed to train paralegals with the theoretical and practical skills necessary to be a successful paralegal in the legal environment, this course continues to develop the knowledge and skills learned in LEGL 4460-Legal Research and Writing I. Students will focus on finding, analyzing and summarizing federal statutes, court opinions and administrative rules. Students completing this course will further develop their legal researching, reasoning and writing skills and will gain a working knowledge of frequently used civil litigation documents (e.g. petitions, client communications, discovery documents, etc.). An emphasis will be placed on drafting these documents and using persuasive writing techniques. Prerequisites: junior standing or permission of the department chair, LEGL 2400 or POLT 2400, and LEGL 4460.

LEGL 4480 Computerized Legal Research (3)

Acquaints students with the fundamental concepts of locating and accessing legal information utilizing computer technology. Prerequisites: junior standing or permission of the department chair, LEGL 2400 or POLT 2400, and LEGL 4460.

LEGL 4800 Advanced Topics in Law (3)

An advanced, in-depth study of law topics directed toward the paralegal student. Includes topics such as Evidence, Probate and Estates, Intellectual Property, Environmental Law, Family Law, Elder Law, Employment Law, and Alternative Dispute Resolution. LEGL 2400 or POLT 2400, or permission of the department chair. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

POLT 2400 Introduction to Law (3)

(Cross-listed with LEGL 2400) Overview of the history and functioning of the American legal system. Covers such topics as the substantive law of torts, contracts, and criminal procedure and terminology, the court system, and the nature of legal reasoning.