5-Course Series
Now in San Francisco, Redwood City and Online!
Paralegal Studies Program
Begin a new career in a rapidly growing field.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Paralegals are projected to rank among the fastest growing occupations through 2008” and will continue to grow at a pace faster than average through 2012. California and the Bay Area, in particular, offer extensive employment opportunities for paralegals in law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices specializing in many different areas of the law.
UC Berkeley Extension prepares you thoroughly and expeditiously for employment as a paralegal through training that meets California's paralegal requirements as outlined in the Business and Profession Code 6450–6456. The Paralegal Studies Program can be completed in just 21 weeks, allowing you to work full-time while attending classes two evenings per week; or opt for our fully online program and complete your studies in under six months from anywhere at your own computer. At the end of the program, you receive a certificate of completion, contingent on your grades.
Our comprehensive, accelerated program is designed by paralegals for paralegals, and taught by practicing attorneys. You will have access to extensive resources including customized texts, hands-on workbooks, CD-ROM, a toll-free support line, LexisNexis and/or Westlaw (you'll get an individual password), and online study tools at the ParaStudent Website that include practice exercise questions, lecture notes, quizzes and mock exams, and research and writing labs. Please feel free to test drive the ParaStudent Website and experience the unparalleled support that the UC Berkeley Extension Paralegal Studies Program provides in both the classroom and online delivery formats.
Classroom-Based (Hybrid) Program Overview
The program consists of two components: (1) Essential Paralegal Studies (core), focusing on the fundamental skills required of all paralegals, and (2) four courses in substantive law topics, which may be chosen from the list of available electives. The core Essential Paralegal Studies course consists of 60 classroom hours plus 120 online study hours. Substantive law courses each consist of 15 classroom hours plus 30 online study hours. Total study hours of the program equal 360, for a total of 8 semester units of academic credit.
The program meets two nights per week, from 6 to 9 pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays, in San Francisco, and Mondays and Wednesdays in Redwood City. The first night is devoted to Essential Paralegal Studies, while the second concentrates on the substantive law courses. We strongly recommend that you begin the program by enrolling in the first two courses: Essential Paralegal Studies and one substantive course. Please note: the entire program is designed to be completed in the same term (Spring and Fall terms only), but it is possible with the consent of the instructor to enroll in individual courses if you choose.
Note on hybrid materials fee: A one-time mandatory fee of $300 is required for Essential Paralegal Studies, and covers the text for Essential Paralegal Studies (vols. I & II); Essential Skills Study Support CD-ROM; Client File Folder; LexisNexis and/or WestLaw subscription (individual access for approximately the length of the program); access to ParaStudent Website; access to ParalegalSpace.com; Job Strategies for Paralegals Guidebook; and Study Support Guide. Order your materials and textbooks for substantive courses at www.ucbxparalegalbooks.com.
Online Program Overview
Our online program follows the same requirements for completion as the classroom-based (hybrid) program; total hours of study equal 360 and 8 semester units of academic credit. You will be given an online access passcode a few days before the scheduled start date of your course. Please note: the entire program is designed to be completed in under six months, but it is possible with the consent of the intructor to enroll in individual courses if you choose.
The Online Program allows you to begin and proceed at your own pace. The integrated and dynamic educational experience provides a wealth of online study support, including exercises, lecture notes, perspectives, mock exams, and research and writing labs. You will have lecture notes and commonly asked questions that anticipate queries asked in a classroom setting; the result is a course merging the interactive, user-driven aspects of the Internet with the same information that would be obtained in a traditional instructor-guided classroom setting. Online exams act as benchmarks throughout the program. You are only able to proceed once an exam is passed. In addition, you will be required to take a final comprehensive written exam.
Note on online materials fee: A one-time mandatory fee of $500 is required for Essential Paralegal Studies, and covers the text for Essential Paralegal Studies (vols. I & II, with Workbooks); Study Support CD-ROM; Study Support Guide; Job Strategies for Paralegals Guidebook; access to ParalegalSpace.com and ParaStudent Website; Client File Folder; Essential Skills for Paralegals Lecture Notebook; Client File Sample Docs and Resources; and LexisNexis and/or WestLaw Access. Order your materials and textbooks for substantive courses at www.ucbxparalegalbooks.com.
Note for both programs: All coursework must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0, and no grade lower than C. On successful completion of either program, you are awarded a certificate of completion from UC Berkeley Extension.
Paralegal Studies Summer 2008 Schedule
Classroom (Hybrid) Program
Essential Paralegal Studies X402
(offered fall term)
Paralegal Tort Law X403
(offered fall term)
Paralegal California Procedures X407
May 14–June 11 (RC)
Paralegal Criminal Law X406
May 15–June 12 (SF)
Paralegal Intellectual Property Law X409
May 15–June 12 (RC)
Paralegal Contract Law X405
Sec. 1: June 19–July 24 (SF)
Sec. 2: July 23–Aug. 20 (RC)
Paralegal Business Law X404
(offered fall term)
Online Program
Essential Paralegal Studies X402
June 2–Oct. 20 (OL)
Paralegal Contract Law X405
(offered future term)
Paralegal Criminal Law X406
(offered future term)
Paralegal Business Law X404
Sec. 1: May 14–June 11 (OL)
Sec. 2: June 13–July 18 (OL)
Paralegal Tort Law X403
June 18–July 16 (OL)
Paralegal Family Law X410
July 23–Aug. 20 (OL)
Program Benefits
UC Berkeley Extension's Paralegal Studies Program stands apart from other programs through its comprehensive package of course materials and other benefits:
Thorough training that meets California's Paralegal Requirements as outlined in the Business and Professions Code Section 6450 through 6456
Brief duration—21 weeks—yet still comprehensive
Complete online training, or mixed classroom and online
Proceed at your own pace (online)
Excellent resource materials (texts, workbooks, and CD-ROM) and unparalleled online study support
Subscription to LexisNexis and/or Westlaw
Exclusive access to the ParaStudent Website, which contains resources that include lecture notes, mock exams, textbook summary and quizzes, hundreds of exercise questions, templates and forms, citation assistance, court rules, paralegal task practices, résumé assistance, research and writing labs, and technical advice
Certificate of completion from UC Berkeley Extension (contingent on grades)
Who Should Enroll?
Legal staff who wish to enhance or advance their careers by completing the Paralegal Studies Program and qualifying for lawful designation as a paralegal
Career changers looking for a professional career with strong compensation
Those involved in legal matters who want to gain a clearer understanding of the legal process
Those considering law school and seeking an introduction to the field and a competitive advantage
Admission Criteria Requirements for enrollment
High school diploma or equivalent
Access to a computer that can connect with the Internet
Word processing and basic Internet skills
Program Designers
Daniel R. Barber and Alyssa Navallo are paralegals and nationally recognized educators who specialize in the design and development of paralegal courses. They have consulted for paralegal programs at Duke University, UC Berkeley Extension, UC Davis Extension, University of Tennessee, Xavier University, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and Rice University, among others. Barber and Navallo are the coauthors of four paralegal texts and have been praised for their innovative use of Internet and CD support materials and for the hands-on experience they create.
Program Instructors
The Paralegal Studies Program's classroom-based instructors are attorneys who are members of the State Bar of California and have demonstrated teaching ability and subject expertise.
Location
Courses meet at the UC Berkeley Extension Downtown Center, 425 Market St., 8th Floor, San Francisco, and at the UC Berkeley Extension Peninsula Center, 1991 Broadway, Redwood City. The Online Program requires computer and Internet access.
Curriculum of Required Courses
Core required:
Essential Paralegal Studies X402 (4 semester units) (online this summer)
Choose four from the following list of 1-unit electives:
Paralegal Tort Law X403 (1 semester unit) (online this summer)
Paralegal Business Law X404 (1 semester unit) (online this summer)
Paralegal Contract Law X405 (1 semester unit) (offered in classroom this summer)
Paralegal Criminal Law X406 (1 semester unit) (offered in classroom this summer)
Paralegal California Procedures X407 (1 semester unit) (hybrid only)
Paralegal Family Law X410 (1 semester unit) (online only)
Paralegal Intellectual Property Law X409 (1 semester unit) (hybrid only)
Paralegal Bankruptcy Law (offered future term)
Beginning the Program
To begin the program, enroll in Essential Paralegal Studies and one substantive law course of your choice. (To ensure earliest completion of the program, choose a substantive law course that begins in the same week as Essential Paralegal Studies.) Enrollment is limited. Test drive the ParaStudent Website.
As you progress through the program, enroll in each of the three remaining substantive law courses two weeks prior to the first class meeting or online course date.
Completing the Program
To receive a certificate of completion you must successfully complete the Essential Paralegal Studies course and four substantive law courses. Projects and exams, including a comprehensive written final exam, will be administered.
You are expected to complete the course requirements for the certificate within one
year of taking the first course. Notify us in writing when you have received the final
grade report for your last course. After verifying successful completion of all coursework
and requirements, Extension will award your certificate.
For specific program questions, please refer to the Program FAQ, e-mail business@unex.berkeley.edu, or call (510) 642-4231.
Statement Regarding California Regulatory Requirements
The UC Berkeley Extension online and hybrid Paralegal Studies Program is in compliance with California Business & Professions Code 6450 through 6456. The California regulations require that a paralegal program offer either 24 semester units or an equivalent amount of hours related to law. This course meets or exceeds the regulatory standard of 360 classroom hours. In addition, students earn up to 8 semester units of academic credit for the program. Students should expect to devote at least 360 hours of academic work of online and/or face-to-face instruction.
Listing of Study Topics
Orientation
Students will learn the structure of the course, will be assigned an individual client for the program, and will be provided with client files to maintain throughout the course. The program will also discuss the evolution of the paralegal profession and various career options.
Legal Terminology
Students will be thoroughly instructed in terminology relevant to civil and criminal law.
Court Structure
California and Federal Court structure will be covered, including discussion regarding specific jurisdictions likely to effect students in the program.
Law Office Ethics
Students will discuss ethics for attorneys and paralegals, including likely scenarios that a paralegal is likely to face in the profession. Students will also be instructed as to specific ethical and legal considerations relevant to California legislation requiring minimum educational standards for paralegals.
Authority
Students will be introduced to the foundations of primary, secondary, and non-authority.
Introduction to Legal Research
The Unified Theory of Legal Research, legal encyclopedias, and other fundamental legal reference resources will be covered in preparation for the Law Library Practicum.
Introduction to Electronic Legal Research
Students will be provided with access to LexisNexis on line legal research and will learn how to develop legal search queries, database selection, and the general layout of LexisNexis. In this session, students will learn how to locate a specific case or statute and will be introduced to secondary authority in an electronic format.
Law Library practicum
Students will complete interactive exercises related to locating case law, locating statutory authority, American Jurisprudence, 2d, Corpus Juris Secundum, and Words and Phases. Students will also complete a “Law Library Scavenger Hunt” exercise to familiarize themselves with the layout of the library.
Electronic Research practicum
For each exercise performed in the Law Library Practicum, students will also be expected to complete a corresponding on line exercise covering the same publications or material. Students will be able to use LexisNexis, Westlaw, or both.
Introduction to legal writing
The program will cover the IRAC method of legal analysis, memorandum form, how to create a demand letter, and basic client correspondence.
Evidence
The program will discuss the broad concept of admissibility and will be trained to identify physical, oral, direct, and circumstantial evidence. Students will learn to break rules into elements in order to better apply rules to factual situations. The program will use the hearsay rule as the basis for learning this skill.
Investigation
The program will discuss fundamental considerations regarding law office investigation, including relevant terminology, likely tasks in which a paralegal might engage, and how to perform skip traces.
Interviewing
Students will develop the skill of legal interviewing, including the 3-stage interview process. Students conduct exercises to learn how to break a factual situation into stages to better organize interview questions. Students will use this skill to prepare witness interview questions relevant to their assigned client.
Citation Form
Students will learn how to create state and federal case law citations, as well as state and federal statutory citations.
Trial Preparation
The program will learn about trial notebooks, preparation of exhibits, and the process of arbitration.
Citing Authority
The program will take citation form to the next level, learning how to create a valid citation from an actual case.
Litigation Support Research
Students will become familiar with treatises and form books that will be useful in creating litigation documents, such as contracts, pleadings, and discovery materials. Students will also be trained in electronic form research.
Litigation Docs
Correspondence and Pleadings: Students will learn to correspond with clients, will prepare a summons and draft a complaint on behalf of the assigned client.
Litigation Docs: Discovery
The discovery process will be thoroughly discussed. Students will learn how to prepare Interrogatories, Requests for Admissions, and Requests for Production of Documents. Students will also learn how to summarize a deposition.
Litigation Docs: E-Discovery
Students will be trained in the fundamentals of E-Discovery, the newest twist in litigation. Training will include general concepts of E-Discovery, practical tips for obtaining and responding to demands for electronic documents and records, and how clients can best prepare for anticipated lawsuits. The Sedona Conference and new federal rules provide the framework for E-Discovery procedures. Students will learn how to access and utilize these resources.
Law Books
A glossary of legal materials will be covered with respect to each books fundamental purpose and contents.
Traditional Research
Students will learn how to utilize standard research sources such as American Law Reports, Shepard’s, and Digests.
Electronic Research
For each exercise performed in the Traditional Research portion of the program above, students will also be expected to complete a corresponding on line exercise covering the same publications or material.
Motions, Notices, and Briefs
Students will learn the functional differences between motions and pleadings, and will learn to create a trial brief in support of a motion. Students will also be taught the importance of noticing the opposing party as to motion filing.
Non-Traditional Research
Students will learn to utilize sources such as Restatements of Law, legal periodicals, and seldom used tools such as the General Digest.
Non-Traditional Writing
Students will develop the skill of synthesizing legal authority, and will be taught how and when to cite to dissenting authority.
Client File Review
Students will review structure of the client file folder which will be turned in the day of the comprehensive final exam.
Law Library practicum
Students will be given the opportunity to research on behalf of their client’s legal matter in order to prepare a motion, notice, and trial brief as their final written assignment.
Electronic Research practicum
For each exercise performed in the Law Library Practicum, students will also be expected to complete a corresponding on line exercise covering the same publications or material. Students will use LexisNexis, Westlaw, or both.
Job Hunting Techniques and Resume Preparation
The program will present strategies for obtaining employment, as well as interview preparation and techniques. Students will also be instructed on the latest viewpoints regarding resume preparation.
Comprehensive Final Exam
This exam covers the entire Essential Skills Program and must be taken in a proctored location.
