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Paralegal Studies
The University at Buffalo Division of Continuing and Professional Studies
offers the following certificate program...
PARALEGAL STUDIES
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
The Paralegal Studies Certificate Program provides students with the unique opportunity to earn a certificate paralegal studies while earning academic credit. Designed with a practical orientation, and with assignments that are applicable to real life work situations, the program challenges students to apply knowledge as it pertains to different in fact situations. The paralegal studies certificate program is an intensive program designed for working adults who are looking to upgrade their skills to make career changes. The paralegal studies certificate program is an excellent opportunity to prepare for quick entry into the marketplace for one of the fastest-growing careers in the country.
Who Should Consider This Program
Currently employed paralegals and law firm employs will learn the skills necessary to increase billable hours and productivity. This is an excllent choice for individuals interested in becoming paralegals who will become proficient at legal terminology, analytical research, and writing. Pre-law students find these courses to be excellent preparation prior to enrolling in law school.
Our Faculty
Faculty selected to teach these courses bring years of expereince to the classroom as practicing legal professionals. Faculty are New York State Bar certified and currently practicing their professional area of expertise.
Certificate Program Requirements
The paralegal studies certificate program consists of one course, MFC 332 Paralegal Principles and Procedures. Students may enhance the program by taking elective courses designed to expand their knowledge and upgrade their skills. Electives and suggested courses that complement the Paralegal Studies Certificate are listed below.
Required Course
PLS 332 / MFC 332 Paralegal Principles and Procedures (4 cr.)
This course covers legal analytical research and writing using legal terminology, professional legal writing of inner office memos, civil pleadings, and discovery motions. Other topics are evidence preservation, interviewing and investigation, introduction to torts, contracts, criminal law, rules of civil and appellate procedures, and rules of ethics for paralegals.
Elective Courses
PLS 334 / MFC 334 Legal Writing and Research (2 cr.)
Students will learn loll library research and will draft memorandums of law all in a variety of legal issues. The focus will be on proficient legal analytical research and writing.
PLS 336 / MFC 336 Bankruptcy Law (2 cr.)
Students will learn the basics of bankruptcy law as an introductory bankruptcy manual for legal assistance. The scope of the course ranges from detailed procedural aspects of common bankruptcy litigation practice to the policy and history behind the bankruptcy law.
PLS 365 / MFC 365 Basic Real Estate Law (2 cr.)
Students will learn the basics of real estate Law, with emphasis on New York State real estate Law, and the practice and custom of real estate Law in western New York. Students will learn the key issues in representing the parties to a real estate transaction: the buyer, seller, and the bank. The course provides a practical approach to understanding real estate transactions.
Academic Credit or Noncredit
Students may choose to enroll in the Paralegal Studies program to earn academic credit or elect to enroll as a noncredit student without earning academic credit. In either case, the Paralegal Studies Certificate will be awarded to those successfully completing the program.
Academic Credit: students MFC courses are offered for university academic credit and may be applied as electives to meet degree requiements. Certifiates will be awarded to students who complete all required courses with a combined grade average of "C" or better.
Noncredit students: Paralegal Certificate courses are also available as noncredit courses to those individuals not interested in earning academic credit but wish to earn a Certiifcate of Completion from the University at Buffalo. Noncredit courses are designated with the course prefix of PLS.
NOTE: Students declare their intent to earn academic credit or fore-go academic credit through the registration process. Students may not change their enrollment status after class begins.
Registration Procedures and Schedule of Classes
Register to earn ACADEMIC CREDIT: (MFC courses only) Students must follow these steps: 1) Fill-in Information and submit Nonmatriculated Student Data Form on-line; 2) Complete and submit Exception Registration Form. You will be notified within 24 hours by email to confirm your registration. Please be sure to check your email for confirmation of your registration. You are not required to pay tuition and fees at this time. You will be billed later in the term.
Register as NONCREDIT STUDENT (You do not want to earn academic credit): (PLS courses only) Registration and payment... go to the following link and select your choices of courses in (click here). Please have your credit card available to complete the registration process on-line. We accept the following credit cards:
Tuition, Fees and Refund Policies
Credit: All students registering for academic credit will pay the current UB tuition rate of $207 per credit hour + fees. Fees will vary depending on your enrollment status with UB. New students enrolled in ONLY MFC courses will pay the MFC student fees (part-time or full-time) as listed on the following page (click here). All students are bound by UB policies and regulations as described at the following website (click here). Students registering for MFC credit courses will be billed rather than having to pay at the time of registration.
Noncredit: Course fees are listed with each course found in noncredit course schedule. Students registered for noncredit courses may receive a full refund if our office is notified in writing prior to the first day of class. Noncredit course fees will not be refunded starting with the first day of class.
