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Legal Assistant Certificate

This Legal Assistant/Paralegal distance learning course is designed to introduce you to the law and to teach specific skills that are important in the delivery of legal services to the public. After you have completed the course, you will be prepared for an entry-level position in a law firm or in an organization such as a bank, corporation, or law enforcement agency.

Upon completion of this course, you will:

  • Have an understanding of legal terminology and legal concepts.
  • Know the parameters of ethical conduct for legal assistants.
  • Be able to assist in such activities as the preparation of legal documents, investigation of cases, trial preparation, client interviews, and legal research and drafting.

This Legal Assistant/Paralegal Program consists of twelve lessons of substantive legal materials and is taught by licensed attorneys. The length of the course is 18 months, although some students may be able to complete it in less time. There are 1200 clock hours of instruction.

What you will learn

This course is unique in that the practical "hands-on" nature prepares the student to immediately enter the marketplace. The course has many similarities to a law school curriculum in that it acquaints the student with the major substansive and procedural areas of the law. It covers theory as well as the more practical legal tasks that a paralegal would be expected to perform, such as how to search a title.

Legal Assistant Courses
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Announcements
National University Continuing Education Association
Meritorious Course Award

The Legal Assistant/Paralegal Program was cited as a Meritorious Correspondence Study course in 1994. This competitive award for excellence in curriculum design was conferred by the National University Continuing Education Association, the professional organization for colleges and universities offering Correspondence Study courses.
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I enroll in the Legal Assistant course?
A: Our course is open to enrollment at any time. There are no complicated application procedures: simply register. You can register online, through the mail, by fax, by phone, or in person at our office.
Q: How long will it take to complete the course?
A: The length of the course is 18 months, although some students may be able to complete it in less time.
Q: What are the tuition costs for the Legal Assistant/Paralegal Program?
A: The tuition for the course is $1,350 plus the cost of textbooks, which may be purchased from our bookstore.
Q: How is the course administered?
A: Our Legal Assistant/Paralegal Program is taken via correspondence. You will receive a course study guide and textbooks in the mail. The study guide contains all of the course assignments, which can be completed at your convenience. Once you are finished, you send your completed work back to the instructor for review. This kind of program allows you to complete the course at your own pace. The final exam must be proctored.
Q: What is the CLA exam?
A: After successful completion of this program, you will be prepared to take the NALA Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) examination. For more information about NALA, contact them at (918) 587-6828, or visit them at www.nala.org.