IUPUI Campus Bulletin 2012-2014

Undergraduate Programs

Certificate Programs

Paralegal Studies

• Director David Weiden, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science
• Academic Advising Cavanaugh Hall 504A, (317) 274-7387

Paralegals play an increasingly important part in the legal profession, undertaking critical research and support work for attorneys. The Certificate in Paralegal Studies offered by the Department of Political Science is increasingly recognized as important preparation for anyone considering a career in law, and provides students with grounding in all the critical elements of the legal profession, from litigation to property law, contract law, bankruptcy law, and family law. Adding an important real-world element to the certificate, almost all the classes are taught by practicing attorneys or paralegals.

Students can combine the certificate with any other degree programs or major, or take it by itself. The credit certificate program parallels the noncredit program available through the Division of Continuing Studies, and represents a partnership between the two schools.

The 27 credit hour certificate includes 9 credit hours of required course work and 18 credit hours chosen by the student from a set of elective courses listed below. Students must receive a grade of C or higher in each course they intend to apply toward the certificate.

Because of the demands of the required courses for the certificate, there are prerequisites that students must satisfy prior to undertaking the course work for the certificate: they should have college-level writing proficiency, computing proficiency, and should have completed POLS Y211 Introduction to Law, with a grade of C or higher.

Required Courses (9 credit hours):

• POLS Y221 Legal Research and Writing for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
• POLS Y222 Litigation for Paralegal Studies I (3 cr.)
• POLS Y232 Professional Responsibility for Paralegals (3 cr.)

Elective Courses

(18 credit hours from the following):

• POLS Y223 Litigation for Paralegal Studies II (3 cr.)
• POLS Y224 Property Law for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
• POLS Y225 Contract Law for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
• POLS Y226 Tort Law for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
• POLS Y227 Criminal Law for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
• POLS Y228 Family Law for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
• POLS Y229 Estate Law for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
• POLS Y230 Bankruptcy Law for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
• POLS Y231 Advanced Legal Writing for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
• POLS Y233 Business Associations for Paralegals (3 cr.)
• POLS Y485 Field Experience in Paralegal Studies (1-5 cr.)

Students who have questions about the Certificate in Paralegal Studies, or who wish to declare and pursue the certificate, should contact the director of paralegal studies, Professor David Weiden, Cavanaugh Hall 504J, (317) 274-7387.