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Paralegal Certificate

Classroom to Career

Upon completion of the Paralegal Certificate program, you should be able to:

  • Understand the education and training required of a paralegal, and recognize the guidelines and ethical responsibilities of the profession and the importance of legal research and writing.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the history, origin and structure of the American legal system, identify and use major tools, software, and sources of American law.
  • Explain the difference between criminal and civil law and interpret various categories of civil law, such as torts, contract law, corporate law, property law, family law, and wills and estates.
  • Conduct legal research and analysis, and draft legal memoranda, pleadings and motions. 
  • Knowledgeable in client counseling and investigative techniques and processes, and understand what the paralegal’s role is in assisting at trial.
  • Students will have the opportunity to earn their Lexis+(R) Paralegal Certificate as part of the PLG207 Legal Research and Writing course.

Online Tuition Comparison

Total tuition for an certificate in Paralegal at ANU is only $13,664. Large online colleges with course-based programs are up to 77% higher and do not include fees or textbooks.(1) ANU tuition includes all fees (application, course, technology, graduation, etc.), textbooks, and lab equipment (where applicable).

Course Information

Paralegal Certificate (PLGC): 28 Credits

GLOBAL LEARN CLASSES

Paralegal Courses

OFFERED TIMES

Core Courses: 2 Hours Weekly

Elective Courses: Every Other Week 

Evening classes are scheduled between 6 and 10 pm, EST

Program Core: 24 Credits

This course provides students with an overview of what a paralegal should be prepared for in the workplace. All of the basic areas of paralegal studies are covered: careers, ethics and professional responsibility, pretrial preparation, trial procedures, criminal law, legal interviewing and investigation, legal research and analysis, computer-assisted legal research, legal writing, and the impact technology is having on the profession. This course also provides instruction in substantive law, including bankruptcy, contracts, intellectual property, torts, product liability, real property, estates, business organizations, and family law.

(Prereq. – ENG102, Prereq.) This course is designed to provide an introduction into the basic principals in the study and practice of legal research and writing. Students will learn the methods and tools necessary to conduct legal research and analysis and how to write legal documents. Students will also obtain the Lexis+(R) Paralegal Certification.

(Prereq. – PLG102 and PLG207) This course goes through the general concepts of civil law and then proceeds to the intentional torts and defenses, followed by an in-depth examination of negligence law. From there, the student will learn about product liability, business torts, ethics, and an explanation of the impact of insurance coverage on bringing and defending tort cases. This course discusses how technology is impacting the day-to-day practice of law and the impact it can have on practitioners.

This course is designed to furnish the student with relevant and interesting experiences relating to the career of a legal office assistant. This course presents basic legal concepts in law and outlines the various documents used in these fields.

(Prereq. – PLG102 and PLG207) This course combines the theories and principles of law with the practical paralegal skills, ethics, and the goals and needs of the paralegal profession. Students will learn about client counseling and investigative techniques and processes, draft pleadings and motions, explore the discovery process, and learn about what the paralegal’s role is in assisting at trial. This course also examines how technology relates to the civil litigation arena.

(Prereq. – PLG102 and PLG207) A theoretical and practical survey of the statutory law of crimes, evidence, and criminal procedure including an examination of sample pleadings and motions. Topics include the elements of specific crimes, formal procedures from pre-trial to post-trial, actual courtroom strategies, and the practical concerns involved in both the prosecution and defense of criminal cases. Constitutional safeguards and procedures from arrest through trial, sentencing, punishment, and appeal are also studied.

Program Core Elective: Select 1 (4 credits)

PLG214 Family Law
PLG216 Estate Administration and Elder Law
PLG218 Intellectual Property
PLG219 Labor and Employment Law
PLG220 Immigration and Citizenship
PLG232 Bankruptcy & Collection Procedures

Note(s):

For all courses: See course description for applicable prerequisites.

For program disclosure information, please visit https://an.edu/about-us/consumer-disclosure

American National University’s Certificate in Paralegal Studies program- approved by the American Bar Association.

Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.

Review the TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS for blended and online programs.

Ms. Wendy Notz, J.D.

Dean and Department Chair of Paralegal Studies

Welcomes you to the Paralegal Department.

(1) Online tuition pages on the internet at:

 Build the foundation of your goals at American National University.

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