West Virginia University, through a partnership with Gatlin Education Services, offers online career training services for adults who want to attain the skills needed for many in-demand professions such as paralegal training. This course prepares students to take the Certified Legal Assistants (CLA) exam.

Computer Requirements
Microsoft Office Suite particularly Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Proficiency in English Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling and Composition

Background
The paralegal profession has grown tremendously since it first appeared in the mid-1960's. There are now more than 120,000 paralegals in the United States. Presently, paralegals are involved in sophisticated legal work in traditional law office settings and in the corporate, government, and public arenas. The occupation has achieved recognition and has moved rapidly to professional stature.

Course Goal
The Paralegal Certificate Program is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in the legal field as a paralegal or legal assistant and includes the official National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) exam preparation for students interested in becoming Certified Legal Assistants (CLA). This program is also perfect for existing paralegals and legal assistants who want to receive the educational requirements and CLA test prep so they can sit for the NALA certification exam.

Course Objectives
To provide participants information on:

• What a paralegal is.
• Common responsibilities and duties of paralegals.
• Types of positions available and common employers of paralegals.
• The paralegal's likely work environment.
• How paralegalism is regulated.
• Ethics for attorneys and paralegals.
• How the American legal system is structured, and how it operates.
• How to perform legal analysis.
• How to perform a legal interview.
• The legal investigation process.
• What makes a good witness?
• The duties of a litigation assistant in the four stages of litigation.
• Methods of legal research.
• Guidelines and proper etiquette for legal writing.
• How computers are used in the modern law office.
• What is commonly involved in law office administration?
• Methods of formal and informal administrative advocacy.
• The key terms associated with each chapter.

Course Structure and Schedule
This is a non-credit course offered for 300 hours. The student can register at any time during the year. Cost is $1,795 per student. A certificate for course completion will be issued.

Prerequisite(s)

Prerequisites for the course include a High School Diploma or GED. In order to meet the eligibility requirements to sit for the CLA credentialing exam using this course, you must also hold a Bachelor's degree in any field, or you must have seven years of experience as a legal assistant or paralegal under the supervision of a member of the Bar.

Materials

Included are West's Introduction to Paralegalism: Perspectives, Problems and Skills, Sixth Edition, by William P. Statsky. There will be accompanying workbooks available to download from the Gatlin Education Services program website.

Overview/Subject Matter

Registration

Register online through our secure server or fill out this form and fax or mail it to Extended Learning. You will be given class access by email within five working days. Call 1-800-2Learn2, or email WVUEnrich@mail.wvu.edu if you have any questions. Major credit cards and electronic checks are accepted.

Refund Policy
Any cancellation and refund request must be submitted in writing by the student to WVU Extended Learning. A $50 processing fee will be charged to the student for a cancellation requested before materials (books) are mailed to the student. If the student cancels within ten days after the materials are mailed to the student, then a $100 processing fee will be charged, provided the student returns the materials, within five days of the written request, in their original condition. If the materials are not returned within the specified period of time or are not in their original condition, then a $500 processing fee will be charged to the student. If the student cancels any time between eleven and thirty days after the materials ae mailed to the student, then a $300 processing fee will be charged, provided the student returns the materials, within 5 days of the written request, in their original condition. If the materials are not returned within the specified period of time or are not in their original condition, then a $500 processing fee will be charged to the student. No other refunds will be considered.