ONLINE OVERALL GOALS OF ALL THE ESQUIRE COLLEGE LEGAL PROGRAMS  
In today's ever increasing competitive employment market, having the "legal edge" can make the difference between being passed up for a promotion or attaining that coveted new position. This can also make the difference between getting that coveted job position or losing out to someone else who has the right legal education. The United States, and indeed the world, is increasingly becoming a system of laws giving those who understand, for example, a legal statute, local ordinance or employment regulation, the ability to make a tremendous difference to an employer who stands to loose significantly when making business decisions in a vacuum; that is, without an understanding of the law. With an Esquire College legal education, it is you who will have the edge.

This program provides the student an enter into the ever expanding paralegal field. Legal Research and Writing are emphasized to enable the future paralegal to easily complete assignments of future legal employers. Graduates will have a complete understanding of the important substantive legal subjects such as Contracts and Torts, to name a few, that is of paramount importance to future employment. Esquire College has been in the business of educating Paralegals since 1994.

This program provides that same level of education as the A.A. Paralegal program, except students are not qualified to earn the A.A. as students in this program will not have obtained twelve (12) units of general education from an accredited college or University required to earn the A.A.

Certificate in Paralegal Studies Program Goals are:

1.

To provide the legal research and writing skills and general legal education necessary for successful employment as a paralegal; and
2. To provide students with the kind of legal education that will be helpful to those who wish to excel within their chosen career.
Paralegal courses are offered on a trimester basis. It is recommended that each student not enroll in more than 18 units per trimester. Enrollment in 12 units or more will be considered full-time enrollment.
Graduation Requirements are as follows:
The certificate in Paralegal studies is awarded upon successful completion of 33 semester units in the core requirements described below.
Core Requirements
Introduction to Law and Ethics
3 units
Legal Research and Writing 6 units
Torts 3 units
Contracts 3 units
Property 3 units
Estate Planning 3 units
Family Law 3 units
Bankruptcy 3 units
Civil Procedure 3 unit
Criminal Law and Procedure 3 units
     
  INTRODUCTION TO LAW AND ETHICS  
  This course provides a general introduction to law, including courts, legal terminology, procedures, systems and laws of society. Emphasis is on ethics and the role of the paralegal in the legal system.  
 
 
  LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING
 
  A fundamental legal research and writing course, this course introduces the student to legal research and writing which will enable the student to use a law library effectively. Research methods are taught to give students an understanding of the use of digests, council forms. students will also be exposed to CD-ROM legal research, the newest development in legal research. Case synthesis and briefing skills are developed.  
     
  TORTS  
  A review of the law concerning intentional torts, negligence, strict liability, products liability, defamation, nuisance, liability and defenses.  
     
  CONTRACTS  
  The law of contract principles including formation, statues, defenses to formation, third parties rights, performance, breach, remedies and damages.  
     
  PROPERTY  
  This course previews the law relating to the various types of real property interests and estates; the nature and scope of easements; the means of transferring title; the rights and obligations of the landlord and tenant, covenants regarding title and law of adverse possession.  
     
  ESTATE PLANNING  
  A study of the California Law concerning wills, trusts and testate succession; Esquire students will learn how to draft trusts, codicils, wills and trust amendments.  
     
  FAMILY LAW  
  A survey of the law of family relations, including the laws of marriage, annulment, dissolution and judicial separation, spousal and child support, legitimacy of children, custody, adoption, the classification of separate and community property estate and the preparation of family law judicial forms.  
     
  BANKRUPTCY LAW  
  This course covers the substantive law of Bankruptcy and its application, including voluntary and involuntary liquidations; discharge of debates; exemptions, creditors claims, bankruptcy courts, officers and trusts, reorganizations and bankruptcy plans and the preparation of forms for use in filing with the bankruptcy courts.  
     
  CIVIL PROCEDURE  
  This course covers pleading and pre-trial motions and the procedures involved in the drafting of complaints, answers, demurrers, various motions and points and authorities. The course reviews pretrial discovery and trial preparation under the California Code of Civil Procedure and California Evidence Code.  
     
  CRIMINAL LAW & PROCEDURE  
  This course is designed to provide the Paralegal with a working knowledge of criminal law. The course provides a survey of all major crimes and defenses, the investigative process and criminal procedure from arrest through trial.  
     
All students applying for admission into the Online Paralegal Certificate program must submit to the office of admissions the following documents for admissions evaluation:

1.

Any and all transcripts of courses completed or attempted at any postsecondary institution;
2. A completed application for admission;
3. A high school diploma, transcripts demonstrating completion of high school, or proof of passage of a high school equivalency exam (GED).