Lead Faculty: Bryan Hance, JD
To be eligible for a Paralegal Specialist Certificate, a student must have completed a minimum of 90 transferable quarter units, an AA degree or a BA/BS degree prior to admission. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn the Paralegal Specialist Certificate in one of the following six areas of specialization:
Students may earn more than one Paralegal Specialist Certificate. Generally, any course completed for any one Paralegal Specialist Certificate need not be repeated
Each certificate is tailored to include training in substantive legal analysis, drafting of relevant legal documents, and managing of procedural matters. Each specialization requires the completion of 40.5 quarter units.
Note: No person shall practice law in California unless the person is an active member of the State Bar.
Litigation Specialization (672-000-515)
This certificate covers case analysis, legal research, drafting of pleadings, motion and discovery documents, evidence law, and preparation of civil cases for trial.
Certificate Requirements (9 courses; 40.5 quarter units):
PLA 301 - Legal Theory and Ethics
PLA 303 - Law Office Administration
PLA 306 - Torts
PLA 308 - Contracts
PLA 309 - Directed Research and Writing A
PLA 324 - English for Professionals
PLA 425 - Litigation I
PLA 426 - Litigation II (Prerequisite: PLA 425)
PLA 318 - Remedies and Judgments
Corporations Specialization (672-000-516)
This certificate covers case analysis, legal research, and preparation of documents for the formation and management of the corporate entity, including regulation of securities, acquisitions, and mergers.
Certificate Requirements (9 courses; 40.5 quarter units):
PLA 301 - Legal Theory and Ethics
PLA 303 - Law Office Administration
PLA 305 - Property
PLA 308 - Contracts
PLA 309 - Directed Research and Writing A
PLA 318 - Remedies and Judgments
PLA 429 - Corporations I
PLA 430 - Corporations II (Prerequisite: PLA 429)
PLA 324 - English for Professionals
Real Estate Law Specialization (672-000-517)
This certificate covers case analysis, legal research, analysis and preparation of documents involving leases, sale of property, real estate syndications, condominiums, zoning, and other related matters.
Certificate Requirements (9 courses; 40.5 quarter units):
PLA 301 - Legal Theory and Ethics
PLA 303 - Law Office Administration
PLA 305 - Property
PLA 308 - Contracts
PLA 309 - Directed Research and Writing A
PLA 318 - Remedies and Judgments
PLA 431 - Real Estate I
PLA 432 - Real Estate II (Prerequisite: PLA 431)
PLA 324 - English for Professionals
Probate and Estate Planning Specialization (672-000-518)
This certificate covers case analysis, legal research, preparation of documents, including wills and trusts, and handling administration of decedent's estate, including tax matters.
Certificate Requirements (9 courses; 40.5 quarter units):
PLA 301 - Legal Theory and Ethics
PLA 303 - Law Office Administration
PLA 404 - Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning
PLA 305 - Property
PLA 407 - Family Law I
PLA 309 - Directed Research and Writing A
PLA 427 - Probate and Estate Planning I
PLA 428 - Probate and Estate Planning II
PLA 324 - English for Professionals
Criminal Law Specialization (672-000-519)
This certificate covers the prosecution of criminal defendants and their defense, whether in public or private practice.
Certificate Requirements (9 courses; 40.5 quarter units):
PLA 301 - Legal Theory and Ethics
PLA 306 - Torts
PLA 407 - Family Law I
PLA 309 - Directed Research and Writing A
PLA 310 - Directed Research and Writing B
PLA 413 - Juvenile Law and Procedure
PLA 433 - Criminal Law I
PLA 434 - Criminal Law II
PLA 324 - English for Professionals
Family Law Specialization (672-000-520)
This certificate covers case analysis, legal research, analysis, and preparation of family law pleadings involving dissolution of marriage, paternity actions, domestic violence actions, adoptions, and other related matters.
Certificate Requirements (9 courses; 40.5 quarter units):
PLA 301 - Legal Theory and Ethics
PLA 303 - Law Office Administration
PLA 404 - Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning
PLA 305 - Property
PLA 309 - Directed Research and Writing A
PLA 413 - Juvenile Law and Procedure
PLA 425 - Litigation I
PLA 407 - Family Law I
PLA 421 - Family Law II
National University is an affiliate of the National University System.