Paralegal Certificate Course

This intensive, nationally acclaimed program is designed for beginning as well as advanced legal workers. Students will be trained to assist trial attorneys, interview witnesses, investigate complex fact patterns, research the law, and assist in preparing cases for courtroom litigation. The instruction is practice-oriented and relates to those areas of the law in which paralegals are most in demand. There are no prerequisites, but students will be expected to complete a significant amount of homework for each weekend session. This program will help students increase their office's efficiency, productivity, and billable hours as well as learn new marketable job skills. Successful graduates will be awarded a Certificate of Completion from Bridgewater State College. To receive a certificate, students must pass six quizzes and successfully complete five legal document writing assignments.

Schedule

• Summer 2009 Session begins July 11, 2009 and concludes August 16, 2009

• Fall 2009 Session begins October 17, 2009 and concludes November 22, 2009.

• Live lecture classes will be held on six weekends from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

• Course Locations: Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
  Classroom assignment will be provided with registration confirmation.

• Online format: Please visit www.legalstudies.com for schedules, book orders, and registration information.

Registration Information

Please complete the attached registration form and mail it with your check or credit card information by one week prior to the first class session to:

Bridgewater State College

Office of Professional Development

131 Summer Street

Boyden Hall, Room 205
Bridgewater, MA 02325

Course Fee for this program is $1089 per person and includes handouts and assistance with placement in a voluntary internship for students finishing with a grade of an 'A' and in the top 25% of their class who are interested in gaining law experience. Textbooks are not included in the course fee.

Textbooks

Massachusetts Rules of Court;Introduction to Paralegalism, 6th edition, by William Statsky;Basics of Legal Document Preparation, by Robert Cummins; Paralegal Procedures and Practices, andParalegal Career for Dummies with CD of Formsby Scott and Lisa Hatch, which are available from The Center for Legal Studies at least one week prior to the first session of class by calling 1-800-522-7737. Note that your book cost may decrease if you choose to access the Massachusetts Rules of Court (and specifically the Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure) online, and print them for your use in class. Books ordered from The Center for Legal Studies during the week immediately prior to the beginning of class will incur an additional FedEx fee.

Online: Please visit www.legalstudies.com for registration and book information.

Refund Policy: We understand that your schedule may change at the last minute and prevent you from attending this course. If you must cancel your registration, please call us at 508-531-2725 at least one week in advance of the program and we will issue you a refund. No refunds will be given after the first class meeting.

Student Loan Educational loans may be available through TERI (Continuing Education Loan) at 1-800-255-TERI or Key Bank (Key Career Loan) at 1-800-KEY-LEND.

Your Instructors

The program is coordinated by our educational partner, Scott Hatch, J.D. of The Center for Legal Studies, who has been offering paralegal programs nationally since 1980. His courses are currently offered at over 600 universities and colleges across the U.S. and hisLaw for Life series is featured on cable. He is listed in Who's Who in California and Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. He is the author of several textbooks including Paralegal Procedures and Practices published by West/ITP. The course will be taught by legal professional Ursula Furi-Perry.

Non-credit courses are taught by professionals with in their areas of expertise but generally the instructors are not faculty from Bridgewater State College. The Center for Legal Studies market their courses nationally through partnerships with colleges and universities. BSC offers the Paralegal Certificate courses for professional development and as a community service. The courses are not included in any degree program of BSC, nor can they be considered as a pre-requisite for any degree programs.

To request a brochure with additional information, please call Office of Professional Development at Bridgewater State College, 508.531.2725 or send an email to externalprograms@bridgew.edu