Certificate in Legal Studies

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Continuing Education Programs
& Professional Development

Legal Studies Certificates in NYC

Whether you are interested in a career as a Paralegal or are preparing to apply for Law School, our Certificate in Legal Studies helps you achieve your goals. The program consists of 5 required courses. Paralegals can assist attorneys and help provide top legal services to clients. The certificate provides a solid foundation in numerous fields, and typically find employment in a number of fields.

Program Information

Duration of the Program: The program consists of 5 required courses.
Tuition: $2,800 plus one-time $25 registration fee
Payment Plan: Down payment of $1,520 + 3 payments of $435
Note: If you would like take additional courses, you can do so and pay for each additional elective $550; if you complete two or more electives, you will get an advanced certificate.
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Professional Development Courses in Legal Studies

Courses and Program Details

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Introduction to Law (LSINTLAW)

Provides students with an overview of law covering legal history, foundations of legal authority, nature of a lawsuit, concept of jurisdiction, legal terminology and basic concepts, structure of the court system, a brief survey of the substantive law including civil procedure, torts, contracts, corporations, criminal law and real property.

Schedule / Registration

Required

Drafting Legal Instruments (LSDRALEG)

Teaches practical skills for assisting lawyers in drafting basic legal documents, including affidavits, complaints, motions, wills and contracts. Students learn the basic components of these documents, where to find and how to use standard legal forms, and fundamental principles of effective legal writing.

Schedule / Registration

Required

Contracts (LSCONTRA)

Students study contract formation, defenses to the existence of contracts, the different kinds of contracts, contracts for the sale of land (real property) and the Uniform Commercial Code which involves contracts for the sale of goods in the United States.

Textbook

Business Law: A Hands-On Approach, 1st Edition by Neal R. Bevans, Western Piedmont Community College, 2006. ISBN-10: 1401833535, ISBN-13: 9781401833534.

Schedule / Registration

Required

Legal Research and Writing (LSLEGRES)

This course teaches students the fundamentals of legal research, kinds of law books, casebooks and treatises, official vs unofficial reporters, hands-on computer and library research, how to Shepardize cases and the basics of writing a legal memo.

Schedule / Registration

Required

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Litigation (LSLITIGA)

This course focuses on causes of action, statutes of limitation, pleadings, provisional remedies, discovery, EBTs, motions to dismiss, summary judgment, settlement conferences, evidence, judicial discretion, judgments, enforcement and appeals.

Schedule / Registration

Required

Criminal Law (LSCRILAW)

This course covers selected topics in substantive criminal law: principles underlying the definition of crime such as the requirements of actus reus and mens rea and general doctrines such as ignorance of fact and ignorance of law, causation, attempt, complicity and conspiracy. Principles of justification and excuse are examined with particular attention to the doctrines of necessity, intoxication, insanity, diminished capacity and automatism. The substantive offense of homicide is extensively reviewed, and from time to time other offenses such as theft. Throughout, emphasis is placed on the basic theory of the criminal law and the relationship between doctrines and the various justifications for imposition of punishment.

Schedule / Registration

Elective

Landlord & Tenant (LSLANTEN)

This course is taught by a long-time New York City judge in the Housing Part of Civil Court of the City of New York. He discusses his own experience in the areas of landlord responsibility, the eviction process, problems faced by tenants, rent control, stabilization, open market issues and general NYC Housing Law.

Schedule / Registration