Paralegal Studies Certificate

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Delivery Area: Augusta, Bangor

Coordinator: Sharon McMahon Sawyer (207) 621-3257 sharon.mcmahon@maine.edu

The Justice Studies Program offers a certificate in paralegal studies. Upon completing the requirements for the Paralegal Certificate, a student will be able to:

Articulate a clear model of professionalism as a paralegal and be familiar with the ethical rules of the profession
Find, cite and analyze statutes, regulations, rules, and cases with regard to their authority and applicability
Manage complex information from other legal sources including the Registries of Deeds and Probate and Bankruptcy Court
Articulate a legal argument; summarize a deposition; draft an interrogatory and investigate facts as directed
Seek employment as a paralegal or employee with law-related training in public and private agencies

Prior to taking these courses, a student should complete a certificate application form. To assure success, students should fulfill the prerequisite course(s) before the requirements.

Certificate Prerequisite:

60 credit hours from a regionally accredited university or college.

Certificate Requirements:

Minimum 15 credit hours of UMA Residency
Minimum 2.00 G.P.A. in the Certificate

Certificate Requirements (18 Credit Hours):

Complete three of the following courses (9):

JUS 121 - Criminal Law 3 CR
JUS 212 - Real Estate Transfer Procedures 3 CR
JUS 218 - Estate Administration 3 CR
JUS 222 - Family Law 3 CR
JUS 231 - Legal Writing 3 CR
JUS 294 - Paralegal Practicum 3 CR (The department recognizes that employment for a continuous year as a paralegal is equivalent to completing the Paralegal Practicum)
JUS 405 - Contracts and Consumer Law 3 CR
JUS 417 - Torts and Insurance Law 3 CR