The Center for Legal Studies features in a text-only format the same Paralegal Certificate Course© that has been offered for over twenty-seven years at colleges and universities throughout the nation. This course is available to students who, because of location or schedule conflicts, are unable to attend the popular live lectures.

• College credits are available through Adams State College and Colorado State University Pueblo.
• Take course on your time in the comfort and privacy of your home or office.
• Students mail or fax assignments and take-home exams.
• Review the material as many times as necessary for full retention of the information.
• Questions can be directed to the instructor via a toll-free number.
• California paralegals may need to complete Advanced Paralegal coursework to meet the requirements of California Business and Professional Code §6450. Please click here for more information.
• Students have a maximum of 6 months to complete Paralegal I and 6 months to complete Paralegal II (12 months total).
• Schools offering the Text-Only format - Schedule and Costs
• Order Books Online
• Financial Aid Information

Instructor:

The Instructor of the Text-Only home study format is Scott Hatch, J.D., founder The Center for Legal Studies, who has been offering law programs nationally since 1980.

You will be expected to spend an average of 8 hours per week reading and completing writing assignments. Please note that extensions will not be granted for this online course. 70% is the minimum passing score on all tests and assignments for this course. Students may consider working ahead in the curriculum if they have the time. Coursework in Criminal Law is equivalent to 45 clock hours of study.

Required textbooks for this course:

• Paralegal Career for Dummies, Hoboken: Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2006, by Scott A. Hatch and Lisa Zimmer Hatch.
• Paralegal Certificate Course© Workbook, Golden: The Center for Legal Studies, 2010, by Margaret A. Kirk.
• Introduction to Paralegalism: Perspectives, Problems and Skills, 7th Edition. Minneapolis/St. Paul: West Publishing Company, 2009, by William Statsky.
• Federal Civil Rules Booklet, Dahlstrom Legal Publishing, Inc, 2011
• Uniform System of Citation (aka “The Bluebook”), most recent edition, Harvard Law Review.
• Sample Pages: Illustrations of Organization and Research Techniques in West Group Publications, 4th Edition. West Group. 2001.

Highly Recommended Legal Resources:

• Oran’s Dictionary of the Law, 4th Edition, by Daniel Oran. Clifton Park: Delmar Cengage Learning
• WESTLAW, legal research access, available for a 60-day period for only $75. Order Online Now

For more information, call The Center for Legal Studies at 800-522-7737, or visit our Online Store to order.

• Students have 30 days from the date they register for text only courses to drop the class and receive a refund less a $50 non-refundable administrative fee.
• If students drop after 30 days from their registration date no refund will be issued.
• Materials must be received by CLS in new condition no less then 30 days from the date of purchase. No items will be accepted after 30 days.