Kennebec Valley Community College
Paralegal Certificate Course©
About This Course
The Paralegal Certificate Course© is the cornerstone of The Center for Legal Studies programs. Paralegalism is one of the fastest growing careers in the country.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the number of paralegals to increase 28% between 2008 and 2018, much faster than the national average for all occupations.
The national median earnings for paralegals is currently $44,480.00/Year and freelance paralegal professionals average significantly more across the board.
The Paralegal Certificate Course© is available in a variety of formats to suit your schedule and is offered through colleges and universities nationwide. Successful graduates will receive a professional certificate from the college or university of their choice.
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.
New Mexico paralegals need to fulfill additional educational requirements to meet the requirements of Rule 20-115 NMRA. Please click here for more information.
Legal Research Requirement
WESTLAW© online legal research access is required for CLS students taking the Paralegal Certificate Course© in the following formats:
- Live lecture – Required for duration of course.
- Online – Required for the second half of the paralegal online course, access valid for a maximum of 7 weeks.
- DVD – Required for the second half of the paralegal DVD course, access valid for a maximum of 60 days.
- WESTLAW© is optional for those students taking the Text-Only format of the course. If you have access to the Internet, we highly recommend purchasing WESTLAW© online legal research access. Access lasts for 60 days from date of activation and you must be currently enrolled to purchase.
- WESTLAW online legal research access, available for only $89.00. Order Online
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Online$1289~$1395
Course Schedule
Please call 1-800-522-7737 or email [email protected] for more information.
The Paralegal Certificate Course© is offered in the following formats:
Online$1289~$1395
The Center for Legal Studies features in an Online format the same Paralegal Certificate Course© that has been offered live since 1980 at colleges and universities throughout the nation. This format is available to students via any computer with internet access and at any time of day or night during our online sessions.
- Syllabus
- Review the material as many times as necessary for full retention of the information.
- Students benefit from direct interaction with the instructor and other students by way of e-mail and a discussion board.
- Online course is available virtually anytime, in the comfort and privacy of your home or office.
- Students have 14 weeks to complete the online course (7 weeks for Paralegal I and 7 weeks for Paralegal II.) Please note that the course fee covers both halves of the course. Students may choose any session to begin the course with Paralegal I and they will be automatically enrolled in the following session for Paralegal II.
- Students must complete both Paralegal I and Paralegal II to be awarded a Certificate. (California paralegals may need to complete Advanced Paralegal course work to meet the requirements of California Business and Professional Code §6450. Please click here for more information.)
- Students e-mail assignments and exams
- Once registered, your password and access information will be sent via email prior to the start of class.
To register, call (207)453-5134
Required Course Textbooks
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Paralegal Career for Dummies, with CD of Forms - Scott A. Hatch, J.D., and Lisa Zimmer Hatch, M.A.
$20.00More Info
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Paralegal Certificate Course© Workbook - Margaret J. Kirk
$49.00More Info
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Legal Document Preparation Manual for the Paralegal Certificate Course - The Center for Legal Studies
$49.00More Info
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Introduction to Paralegalism, 8th Edition - William P. Statsky
$179.00More Info
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Federal Civil Rules Booklet
$20.00More Info
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Uniform System of Citation
$45.00More Info
Legal Research Requirement
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Westlaw Access
$89.00More Info
Recommended Course Textbooks
Westlaw Agreement: (Please read Westlaw agreement (link below) and check agree in order to add this item.)
In order to add Westlaw Access to your shopping cart, you must read the Westlaw agreement and check the "Yes I Agree" check box to the bottom indicating you agree. You must also select the school you are taking CLS courses through below.
Please Note: Westlaw access through CLS is only available to students currently enrolled in CLS courses.
I understand that this online Westlaw access is for use by students currently enrolled in Center for Legal Studies courses and that this access will expire at the end of the time listed below, regardless of my completion status. I understand that the subscription will only be valid during the times outlined below. My Westlaw subscription is also limited to 60 hours per month and 600,000 downloads within the time that the subscription is valid.
Live Lecture Course Format: Paralegal Certificate Course
Live course format student’s access will expire on the first business day after the last day of class, regardless of when Westlaw is purchased.
Please Note: Access is required for the entire course duration.
Online Course Format: Paralegal Certificate Course
Online course format student’s access will expire on the seventh Saturday of the session for Paralegal 2, regardless of when Westlaw is purchased.
Please Note: Access is required for the second half of the 14 week online course only. If you wish to have access to Westlaw for the first half of the course, you will have to purchase two subscriptions at $89 each.
Online Courses: Online Courses (excluding Paralegal Certificate Course)
Online course format student’s access will expire on the seventh Saturday of the online session.
Please Note: Westlaw subscriptions will expire on the originally scheduled end date of your online course regardless of course completion status, or the date that you purchased Westlaw.
DVD or Text-Only Format
DVD or text-only course format student’s access will expire 60 days from the date of activation.
If I drop the course at any time prior to the course end date, my Westlaw access will expire the same day that I drop the course and the $89 will not be refunded. I understand that Westlaw access is non-refundable once I have received my Westlaw access information. In the event that I exceed the usage restrictions, I will need to purchase another subscription at the $89 subscription fee.
I also understand that the Westlaw access is solely for use in completing my Center for Legal Studies course and that I will not release my password information to anyone.