Paralegal
PARALEGAL SCHOOL CURRICULUM ROAD MAP 15 WEEK COURSE
So 15 Weeks in Total.
Note: Both sessions must be taken consecutively.
GMAX Paralegal Certificate Course: Part I
Welcome to Paralegal Part I, the first half of the GMAX Paralegal Certificate Course© offered in person hands-on & online. This in person hands-on & online course represents the culmination of thirty (30) years of “live” classroom instruction of this course for liberal arts and pre-law students at major universities across the United States. To serve foreign students and law firm employees overseas, as well as people residing far from our live classroom lecture locations, we began offering this course in a video format in 1987. Now, with this interactive in person hands-on & online format, we are overcoming the boundaries of distance and time by bringing the classroom into your office or living room. This interactive hands-on legal assisting course provides guided instruction and, in some cases, credit hours with which to work toward a degree. Plus, students successfully completing both halves of the course will receive a Paralegal Certificate of Completion.
Once registered, your password and access information will be emailed to you in time for the start of class.
This course will provide you with comprehensive knowledge of the American judicial system. It will also teach you practical skills including how to assist trial attorneys, interview witnesses, investigate complex fact patterns, research the law, and assist in preparing cases for courtroom litigation.
Paralegal I:
Introduction to hands-on Paralegal Studies provides the foundation for the study of legal assisting. During the first seven weeks of the course, you will gain an understanding of the American legal system and learn how you can be of assistance in the exciting field of law. Coursework in Paralegal I is equivalent to 45 class hours of study.
This course is the first of two courses leading to a GMAX Hands-On Paralegal Certificate. Successful completion of both halves of the course will result in a Paralegal Certificate issued from the school location you attended. (California paralegals may need to complete Advanced coursework to meet the requirements of new legislation, California Business and Professional Code §6450. Please click here for more information. New Mexico paralegals need to fulfill additional education requirements as set forth in Rule 20-115 NMRA. Please click here for more information.) The course is designed to train students to work as paralegals, provide advanced legal workers with additional skills, and educate students in the American legal system.
Paralegal I Objectives:
After successfully completing the tests and assignments for this seven week course, you will know:
• The origins and history of the American legal system
• The meaning and application of important legal terminology
• Attorney and paralegal ethics
• Techniques of jury selection and the jury selection process
• How to prepare legal documents including demand letters, pleadings, discovery documents, motions and memos
• Significant elements of the substantive law of torts, contracts
• The important rules of civil procedure and evidence
• How to conduct a legal interview
• How to conduct legal investigation
• How to conduct legal analysis and perform legal problem solving
Expectations
This is an accelerated course. You will be expected to spend an average of 8-12 hours per week reading and completing writing assignments. Assignments are due once a week.
Please note that no extensions will be granted for this in person hands-on & 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. All assignments must be submitted to pass the course.
The entire course, Paralegal I and Paralegal II, runs 14 weeks; seven weeks for the first half (Paralegal I) and seven weeks for the second half (Paralegal II). NOTE: To receive your Paralegal Certificate, students must enroll in, and successfully complete both halves of the course (Paralegal I and Paralegal II). Paralegal I is a prerequisite for Paralegal II.
Course Books
The following texts are available to order from GMAX Hands-On University. Some of the texts may be available in libraries, but most students prefer to own these texts because they are great references even after the course has ended. Please note that these same texts will also be used for the second half of the course: Paralegal II.
• Paralegal Career for Dummies, 2nd Edition. Hoboken: Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2019 by Scott A. Hatch and Lisa Zimmer Hatch.
• Paralegal Certificate Course© Workbook, Golden: 2010 by Margaret J. Kirk.
• Legal Document Preparation Manual for the Paralegal Certificate Course©, Golden: GMAX Hands-On University, 2013
• Introduction to Paralegalism: Perspectives, Problems and Skills, 8th Edition. Clifton Park: Cengage Learning, 2016 by William Statsky.
• Federal Civil Rules Booklet, most recent edition, Dahlstrom Legal Publishing, Inc.
• Uniform System of Citation (aka “The Bluebook”), most recent edition, Harvard Law Review.
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 during the in person hands-on & online session (maximum of seven weeks) for only $105.
For more information, call GMAX Hands-On University at 1.800.906-0954, or visit our www.ownadentalassistantschool.com to order.
Paralegal Part I: Reading Assignments for Lesson Topics:
Lesson One: Legal Terminology, Legal Process, and Rules of Civil Procedure
• Read Chapters 4 & 6 in Paralegal Career for Dummies (“PCD”).
• Read Chapter 7 pages 101 up to and including Rule 56 on page 111 in PCD (pages 99-108 if you have the first edition).
• Review the legal terms on pages 315-336 of PCD (pages 309-334 if you have the first edition).
• Read Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, concentrating on Rules 1-56.
• Optional: Read Chapter 6 in Introduction to Paralegalism (“Statsky”)
Lesson Two: Ethics, Torts, and Contracts
• Read Chapter 5 in Statsky.
• Read Chapters 5, 15, & 19 in PCD.
• Read Chapters 1 & 2 in Legal Document Preparation Manual (“Legal Doc Prep”)
Lesson Three: Legal Documents and Legal Analysis
• Read Chapters 7 & 12 in Statsky
• Read Chapters 10 & 16 in PCD
• Read Chapter 3 in Legal Doc Prep
Lesson Four: Discovery Documents and Legal Interviewing
• Read Chapter 8 and Chapter 9, pages 401-423 (pages 405-420 in e-book edition) in Statsky
• Read Chapter 12 in PCD
• Read Chapter 4 in Legal Doc Prep
• Review Chapters 10 & 16 in PCD
Lesson Five: Evidence
• Read the rest of Chapter 9 & all of Chapter 10 Statsky
• Read Chapter 11 in PCD
• Review Chapter 7 pages 111 – 116 in PCD (pages 109-114 if you have the first edition)
• Read Federal Rules of Evidence
Lesson Six: Legal Investigation
• Review Chapter 11 in PCD
• Review Chapters 7 & 9 Statsky
• Review “Introduction to the Law” Chapter 6 pages 287-293 (pages 291-297 in e-book edition) in Statsky
Lesson Seven: Course Wrap-up
• Read Chapters 1, 2, 3, & 4 in Statsky.
Tests:
Each lesson you will submit a 50-point short answer/essay test covering the topics in that lesson’s reading. You will not have a test on the last week of class.
Writing Assignments:
Your writing assignment is to prepare two interoffice memos in which you analyze legal issues. Each memo is worth 100 points.
Bulletin Board Assignments:
You will also post your responses to six class participation assignments. These assignments are referred to as Bulletin Board Submissions and will be submitted by either selecting Bulletin Board Submission from within the lesson material, or by selecting ‘Forums’ under Activities in the course.
All lesson objectives, assignments, and tests can be found in the Lesson Materials.
Grading
Your grade will be based on your completion of six tests, two memos, and class participation assignments / Bulletin Board Submissions. The tests and writing assignments can be accessed from within the lesson material, or by selecting ‘Assignments’ under Activities in the course. You will have the opportunity to engage in “class participation” by using the Bulletin Board tool to respond to the bulletin board assignments throughout the course. Also, participating in the bulletin board assignments will enhance your understanding of the reading material. All assignments must be submitted to pass the course. 70% is the minimum passing score on all assignments.
Your final grade will be figured as follows:
Your final grade will be figured as follows:
• The six tests are 50 points each and comprise 60% of your grade.
• Two interoffice memos are 100 points each and comprise 30% of your grade.
• Your participation in bulletin board assignments comprises 10% of your grade.
Withdrawal Policy
Students may drop the course with a full tuition refund less a non-refundable $50 administrative fee if written notice is sent to GMAX Hands-On University by email at info@gmaxseo.com by the Wednesday before class begins. Students may drop the course with a 50% tuition refund if written notice is sent to GMAX Hands-On University by email at info@gmaxeo.com anytime from the Thursday before the course begins until the first Thursday of class. After the first Thursday of class, no refunds will be issued.