Who Should Attend the JMU Paralegal Certificate Program? The skills, training, and knowledge acquired in this program include an advanced understanding of legal procedures, ethics, and substantive law as well as research, communication, and writing skills. This program of studyВ is convenient for you as an adult learner so that you can start your legal career in just a few short months. StudentsВ log into live, instructor-led classes twice a week, whereВ they participate in class discussions. Our program is offeredВ in a convenient online format and combines the theoretical and practical sides of law. Practical skills are emphasized through assigned drafting and formation projects.James Madison UniversityвЂ™s Paralegal Studies Certificate is speciallyВ designedВ for working adults.

Topics covered include the formation of business entities (including sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and other business structures), corporate filings, minute book preparation, ethical obligations of the paralegal working in this field, and computer applications being utilized in corporate law practice.

This course provides the paralegal student with a basic and thorough understanding of laws governing the creation and operation of businesses. Students will become familiar with computer applications used in a torts practice. The course has a practical element requiring students to draft documents, such as a petition and motion for summary judgment, in addition to briefing cases. Topics include intentional torts, negligence, strict liability, products liability, medical malpractice, special tort actions, including mass torts, immunities, and commonly employed defenses, and paralegal ethics. This course focuses on the fundamental common law and statutory concepts of tort law, with emphasis on the paralegalвЂ™s role. The course also has a practical element requiring students to draft a petition, draft all types of discovery, and summarize a deposition. The student is introduced to rules regarding commencement of suits, citation, and pre-trail proceedings. This course focuses on the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure while also giving students experience in the aspects of civil litigation in which a paralegal would be involved before trial. The programвЂ™s internship training agreement is then sent to the approved sponsor for signature. If the sponsor is approved, the student will meet with the internship instructor to review internship documents. The instructor will notify the student of the final approval status of the potential sponsor.

Within one week, the internship instructor will contact the potential sponsor to discuss the internship policy and program expectations.

Students will submit the contact information of potential sponsors to the internship instructor for approval. If after a diligent search, a student is unable to find an internship placement, the internship instructor will assist the student with securing a placement. All interviews must be completed no later than the first week of university classes. Students will be responsible for contacting the individual organizations and scheduling interviews with potential sponsors. The student will then be given a permit to register for the internship course.ДЄfter the initial meeting with the internship instructor, students will begin the search for an internship sponsor. If qualified, the student will meet with the internship instructor to discuss the internship. Instructor will verify the studentвЂ™s qualifications for the internship. After the letter of application and resume have been submitted, the internship

Paralegal studies