The Certificate Program in Paralegal Studies

Available on campus or online

The Certificate Program in Paralegal Studies offers a unique mix of legal theory and practical skills applications. One special feature of specific interest in the program is the Paralegal Practicum, which can provide students with real-world experience in research, drafting, ethics, and client interaction.

All of the courses in the certificate program may be applied to the B.S. degree in Criminal Justice, Paralegal Option.

Required Courses: (4)

41.103 Introduction to Paralegal Studies - Available Summer 2013!
41.370 Real Estate Law - Available Summer 2013!
41.387 Legal Research Methods - Available Summer 2013!
41.390 Litigation - Available Summer 2013!

Electives - Choose 2:

41.363 Corporate and Property Law
41.366 International Law
41.367 Environmental Law
41.376 Family Law - Available Summer 2013!
41.381 Women and the Law - Available Summer 2013!
41.383 Alternative Dispute Resolution
41.392 Wills, Trusts, and Estates - Available Summer 2013!
41.497 The Paralegal Practicum - Available Summer 2013!

Certificate Requirements

Students enrolled in UMass Lowell certificate programs must complete all courses, generally consisting of both required courses and electives. Students may complete the certificate program at their own pace, enrolling in one or two courses each semester. Courses on-campus typically meet one night per week, three hours each night, during the Fall and Spring semesters. Online students generally log on to their course site one or more times per week to retrieve lectures and assignments or to participate in a chat session. For more information on online courses, visit our online program home page.

In addition to the Fall and Spring semesters, students may also have the opportunity to accelerate their programs of study during two concentrated six-week Summer sessions. Online courses are also offered during the Summer semester, but typically run from May through August unless otherwise noted. All students should anticipate at least two hours of preparation for every hour of classroom instruction. Students are required to maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better to receive the certificate.

Application into the Program

Those who wish to enroll in the certificate program should submit a completed application form and arrange to have their official high school transcript or GED sent to Continuing Studies. Applications, transcripts, and other correspondence should be sent to: University of Massachusetts Lowell, Admissions/Online and Continuing Education, Dugan Hall, Room 110, 883 Broadway Street, Lowell, MA 01854-5104. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and there is no fee to apply. Upon acceptance, notification will be sent to students.

Registering for Courses

Continuing Studies offers courses during the Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. Information about current course offerings, schedules, and registration procedures is published regularly on our website. If you would like to receive a printed Course Bulletin, please contact our Faculty and Student Support Center at (978) 934-2474.

You may take courses without being officially enrolled in a certificate or degree program, but you must meet the particular course prerequisites. Registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Class size is limited. We recommend that you register early to reserve your place in class.

Transfer Policy

With the program coordinator's approval, one course may be transferred from another accredited institution to satisfy undergraduate certificate program requirements. The course should be equivalent to UMass Lowell instruction, applicable to the intended program, and the student must have received a grade equivalent to a C- (1.70 on a 4.00 scale) or better.

Academic Advising

Program Coordinators and Faculty and Student Support Specialists are available by appointment to help students determine appropriate course loads, discuss admission requirements, and review the transferability of courses. For online advising, email us at Continuing_Education@uml.edu. To schedule an appointment with a Program Coordinator or Faculty and Student Support Specialist, please call Online and Continuing Education at (978) 934-2474. General academic advising is also available at the Faculty and Student Support Center on a drop-in basis, located in Southwick Hall, Room 202 on UMass Lowell North. Call (978) 934-2474 or stop by the office Monday through Thursday between 8:30am-8:00pm and on Friday between 8:30am-5:00pm.

Awarding of Certificates

Upon successful completion of the certificate program, students must submit a completed Certificate Petition Form to Online and Continuing Education. Upon verification, students will be mailed their certificates. Receipt of the certificate will be noted formally on the student's transcript with an award date of October, February, or June.

Tuition

Please refer to our current course listings published online each semester for up-to-date pricing information or refer to the Online and Continuing Education Course Bulletin each semester.

For More Information

For additional information on any of our programs, call Online and Continuing Education at (978) 934-2474 or email Continuing_Education@uml.edu.

For information on Financial Aid, call the Financial Aid Office at (978) 934-4220.

Gainful Employment Disclosure Information

Completion rates, median loan debts and program costs are outlined for each certificate program.

Undergraduate Certificate Gainful Employment Disclosure Information

Course Descriptions

41.103 Introduction to Paralegal Studies

Familiarizes students with the role of a paralegal in both the public and private sector. Other topics will include principles of jurisprudence and basic legal concepts and terminology. 3 credits.

41.363 Corporate and Property Law

Studies the law and its impact on the business world. Partnerships, limited partnerships, and joint ventures are studied at the outset of the course. The main emphasis is on elements of the corporate structure. The last part of the course deals with personal and real property with coverage of wills and trusts. This course is highly recommended for pre-law students, CPA's, and paralegals. 3 credits.

41.366 International Law

Introduces the body of international rules, customs, and regulations which are in force between nations. Specific legal issues involving a study of multinational, cultural, political, economic, and ethnic perspectives are addressed. Topics covered include human rights, war prevention, foreign policy, tort and criminal liability, business trade practices, and dispute settlement. Recommended at the senior level. 3 credits.

41.367 Environmental Law

Examines the legal and administrative problems of protecting the quality of the human environment. Federal and state legislation on environmental policy is studied. Public interest litigation as a supplement to the enforcement of environmental law is discussed. Places emphasis on the law as a means of protecting the environment. 3 credits.

41.370 Real Estate Law

Examines contracts for the sale of real estate, deeds, title examinations, security for real estate transactions, methods and problems of co-ownership, zoning ordinances, brokerage contracts, leases and landlord and tenant rights and liabilities. 3 credits.

41.376 Family Law

Studies the critical family law issues facing society today. Subject matter examined includes the law of marriage, custody, adoption, divorce, child support, juveniles, right to die, fetal tissue transfer to prolong the life of another, reproduction control, and surrogate parenting. This course is taught from a legal and human values perspective. 3 credits.

41.381 Women and the Law

Presents issues that particularly affect women. Topics include: sex discrimination, sexual harassment, marriage, divorce, reproductive control, surrogate motherhood, and custody. 3 credits.

41.383 Alternative Dispute Resolution

The traditional trial is becoming increasingly rare in modern civil litigation; the large majority of disputes are resolved by other techniques. This course will examine alternative methods of dispute resolution such as negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and the mini trial. 3 credits.

41.387 Legal Research Methods

Designed to introduce the student to the fundamentals of legal research and writing. The student will gain hands-on experience in legal research and in the reporting of such research in case briefs and memoranda. Emphasis will be placed on the case law and statutory law of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 3 credits.

41.390 Litigation

Examines the practices and procedures involved in the litigation process. Topics include: legal research, courts and jurisdictions, evidence and discovery, pleadings, motions, depositions, trials and appeals, and federal rules of procedure. 3 credits.

41.392 Wills, Trusts, and Estates

Introduction to the law of wills, trusts, and estates. This course covers the fundamental legal concepts and vocabulary necessary to understand, draft, and work with the core estate planning tools. Practical examples and sample legal cases and materials will be provided and discussed. No prior legal knowledge is required, though some familiarity with the United States legal system or case law will be helpful. 3 credits.

41.497 The Paralegal Practicum

Assigned fieldwork under the supervision and with the permission of the coordinator. This course is designed to broaden the educational experience of paralegal students by providing exposure to selected legal environments such as corporate legal departments, financial institutions, law firms, real estate departments, banks, and government agencies. This course is intended to provide a correlation of theoretical knowledge with practical experience in an area of particular interest to students. 3 credits. Prerequisite: P: Minimum of 3 paralegal courses and permission of Coordinator, Legal Studies