Paralegal Certificate

The primary goal of the Paralegal Program at Oakland University is to introduce students to the study of law with emphasis on real-world applications and legal procedures. Classes are taught by attorneys, judges and qualified professionals who understand the role of the paralegal in modern legal practice. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 15% growth in employment of paralegals and legal assistants between 2016 and 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage for paralegals was $50,940 in May 2018. Formally trained paralegals with strong computer and database management skills should have the best job prospects.

In an effort to reduce costs and increase efficiency, businesses are hiring paralegals to perform tasks once done by lawyers. These organizations include but are not limited to: 

• private law firms (largest organization to hire paralegals)
• corporate legal departments
• insurance companies
• real estate and title insurance firms
• banks
• court houses

* Please be advised that paralegals may not offer legal services or advice directly to the public, except as permitted by law.

Program

This full time program consists of three, 14-week semesters. Classes are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm each semester. All Paralegal Program courses are held in a Live Online format, individuals meet remotely via Zoom in a synchronous format. 

Special topic courses are also offered for professional development.

• Students enrolled in the paralegal program are required to complete a 328-hour course of study over three (3) academic semesters.
• The program is offered during the spring, fall and winter semesters. It is currently
  offered online.
• The faculty are attorneys and skilled paralegals with extensive teaching experience.
  Classes meet three evenings per week (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays) from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. EST.

Students enrolled in the certificate program are required to enroll and successfully complete the following courses over three academic semesters:

14 week courses

• Ethics and Introduction to Law
• Civil Litigation
• Legal Research and Writing
• Contracts
• Torts
• Ethics and Law Practice Management
• Internship

7 week courses (4 will be offered – selection at discretion of Director)

• Auto Law
• Criminal Law
• Employment Law
• Family Law
• Patent, Trade, Copyright
• Probate
• Real Estate

Additional and Materials

• Books and materials are a separate cost. Textbook cost is dependent on student choices regarding book format and other factors.
• While non-credit professional certificate programs do not qualify for federal financial aid, prospective students can visit the Oakland University Financial Aid for Continuing Education Students Page for more information on tuition assistance options.

Learning Outcomes

After successfully completing this program, students will be able to:

• Students will develop an understanding of the law, the legal and paralegal professions, and the legal process, including the use of technology, appropriate to their expected role in the legal community. Students will acquire practical, technical skills as well as basic knowledge of legal theory, and specialized competency in at least one area of concentration.
• Students will demonstrate work place readiness competence in legal research and writing, problem analysis, and critical thinking.
• Students will display an awareness of ethical, moral, and social issues that contain legal implications, as well as knowledge of the standards of conduct expected of the legal community.
• Faculty and staff will be committed not only to quality education but also to the promotion of paralegals as essential members of the legal community.

The primary goal of the Paralegal Program at Oakland University is to introduce students to the study of law with emphasis on real-world applications and legal procedures. Classes are taught by attorneys, judges and qualified professionals who understand the role of the paralegal in modern legal practice. 

Ethics and Introduction to the Law
This course provides an overview of governmental organizations (including Michigan and federal court systems) and sources of law (including statutory law, common law and administrative law).

Substantive Law – Contracts
This course provides a comprehensive overview of contract law. 

Substantive Law - Torts
This course covers the basic law related to a civil wrong as it applies to personal and property damage. 

Legal Research and Writing I
This course provides knowledge of primary and secondary legal resources along with teaching the skills of legal writing. 

Litigation: Case Preparation before Trial
Detailed study of pretrial case preparation: alternate dispute resolution; gathering and organization of materials; legal investigation; client interviewing; and drafting a complaint, an answer, and  affirmative defenses.

Internship
This course includes one class meeting and 100 hours law office experience.  Effective resume writing and job hunting skills are also covered.

SPECIAL TOPICS

Auto Law
This course provides a basic understanding of the law as it relates to auto insurance.

Criminal Law
Every person arrested in the United States is entitled to certain constitutional protections and due process under the law. These protections and the criminal justice process in Michigan are examined: investigation; arrest, detention, and booking; obtaining a warrant, preliminary examination, and bind over; arraignment and pretrial motions; trial procedures, plea negotiations, and sentencing; post-trial motions and procedures; appeal; extradition; and double jeopardy.

Employment Law
This course covers areas of the law that deal with employment relationships.

Estate Planning
This course provides an overview of the principles related to the control and disposition of property inter vivos and after death. 

Family Law
Review of substantive law related to dissolution of marriage, separation , annulment, guardianship and adoption, including: preparation of papers for preliminary and emergency relief; jurisdiction and service of process; preparation of cases for trial; supervision of case progress; drafting of property settlements and tracing of assets; tax consequences of support; and division of property.

Patent, Trade, Copyright
This course covers the basics of patent, copyright, and trademark law. Qualifies enrollees to prepare and file state and federal trademark applications and applications to register copyrights.

Probate
This course examines the substantive, procedural, and practical aspects of probate law under EPIC (Michigan's Estate and Protected Individuals Code). 

Real Estate
This course will provide students with an overview of real property law including terminology, documents, types of estate ownership, mortgages. The course examines concurrent forms of ownership, life estates, and common interest properties. Landlord-tenant law, zoning, and the duties of principals, agents, and brokers are also highlights of this course.

Admission

Students must have completed a minimum of 45 undergraduate credit hours OR have at least 10 years of relevant paralegal experience to be admitted to the program. Students must achieve a grade of "C" (2.0) or better in each class once in the program. International students must provide a WES or ECE credential evaluation.

How to Resolve a Complaint

Students may encounter problem situations during their course of study at Oakland University that may require review by appropriate administrative or academic personnel. This is a description of the problem-resolution procedure established by the university. The procedure provides a fact-finding system for resolving problems between students and faculty or staff members when a review of the issue is not available through other established university procedures. In some cases (e.g. discrimination and harassment), the university has specific procedures which must be followed. 

Each student, faculty member, administrator and staff member has an obligation to resolve problems fairly through discussion between the aggrieved student(s) and the specific university person immediately involved with the problem.

PACE Academic Complaint

Each academic department has its own internal procedure for resolving complaints about classroom situations. A copy of the relevant grievance procedure may be obtained from the involved academic department or school. The student must first contact the department or school and follow the respective grievance procedure within that department.

Depending on the department, the chair, Director or designee may hear the facts of the case or refer it to an internal committee. If the problem is not resolved at this step, the student may contact the dean of the college or school to continue the problem resolution process. For cases involving grade disputes and classroom procedures but not involving discrimination, harassment or illegal behavior, the process stops at the dean level.

PACE Nonacademic Complaint

If the problem is not academically related, the student must first contact the department or school and follow the respective grievance procedure within that department or be referred to the responsible unit. If the problem is not resolved at this step, the student may contact the director of Professional and Continuing Education to seek final resolution. For nonacademic complaints, appeals stop at the director of Professional and Continuing Education.

 Complaint Process:

1. Student/Participant must email detailed description of complaint along with corresponding documentation to oupace@ngskmc-eis.net
2. PACE Director will contact the complainant with a resolution or to formalize a meeting as part of the complaint exploration process.

General:

• Oakland University Library Guide to Legal Research
• Legal Information Institute – Introduction to Basic Legal Citation.
• Court Listener – Website containing legal opinions from federal and state courts.
• FindLaw – Legal news, information, and resources.
• Martindale.com – National registry of lawyers.
• NOLO Legal Encyclopedia – Legal Topics.
• Oyez – Supreme Court of the United States cases.
• SCOTUSblog – Independent News & Analysis on the Supreme Court.
• The Law Dictionary – Online law dictionary

Michigan:

• Michigan Compiled Laws by Chapter
• Legal Information Institute - Michigan – Michigan Legal Matters.
• Library of Michigan Digital Repository – Collections of Michigan government, administrative law, and Michigan legislative materials.
• Michigan Appellate Opinion Manual – Citation guide for Michigan state courts.
• Michigan Courts  – Current Rules, Administrative Orders and Jury Instructions..
• Michigan Courts - Courts – Links and information to Michigan courts.
• Michigan eLibrary – Supporting Michigan Libraries.
• Michigan State University College of Law – Michigan Ordinances & Codes. 
• Library of Michigan– Law Library.
• Michigan Law Review

Professional Associations:

• American Bar Association - Membership – ABA Membership.
• American Bar Association  – Standing Committee on Paralegals.
• NALA: The Paralegal Association – National paralegal association.
• NALS of Michigan – The Association for Legal Professionals.
• National Federation of Paralegal Associations - Home page 
• State Bar of Michigan - Home page 
• State Bar of Michigan Paralegal Section – Paralegal/Legal Assistant Section.

Paralegal Profession:

• American Bar Association – Information for Lawyers:  How Paralegals Can Improve Your Practice.
• NALA: The Paralegal Association Certification – Paralegal Certification.
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics  - Occupational Outlook Handbook Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
• State Bar of Michigan  – Role of Nonlawyers in Law Practice: Guidelines for Utilization of Legal Assistant Services.
• The ABC’s of e-Discovery 
• The Estrin Report – Game Changing Positions:  Are You Ready To Make An Awesome Career Move?
• The National Federation of Paralegal Associations - Paralegal Certification.
• Legal Talk Network – The Paralegal Voice.