View Summer 2003 Course Schedule

The Paralegal profession has become an established and recognized career path.
The legal profession has been rated as one of the fastest growing professions in the nation.

Our Paralegal program has been rated second to none by the Association of Professional Paralegals. Our non-credit certificate program is fully recognized by the National Association of Legal Assistants. As members of the American Association for Paralegal Education, our program is in substantial compliance with its guidelines.

The program consists of 624 contact hours of strictly legal education. Our program is comprised of thirteen (13) courses (5 Core Courses and 8 Specialty Courses) and sixteen (16) seminars. Students must complete the core courses before taking the specialty courses. The program may be completed in one year if the student attends classes at both campuses. Sixteen seminars are offered within a year’s time so that the student may complete the program in one year. Continuing Legal Education units will be awarded for any course or seminar with this program upon the participant’s request. All our courses are taught by attorneys and judges experts in the specific area of law being lectured.

Our program is structured to accommodate working adults. Classes are held weekday evenings at FIU’s University Park campus and/or selected Saturdays (morning and afternoon sessions). Students are required to take the Introduction to Paralegalism course upon admission into the Paralegal program. Specialty seminars are offered on selected Saturdays, once a month. On Saturdays in which seminars are scheduled there will be no classes held, so that no class conflicts occur.

An Orientation session is conducted each semester before classes start. New students as well as those who have been inactive for a period of two semesters or more are required to participate. Next Orientation session will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2002 between 7pm - 9pm at University Park Campus. Call the LSI Office at (305) 348-2491 to reserve your space. Registration will be available following the orientation, however students must present the application form and supporting documentations at the time of registeration.

Transcript from previous post-secondary educational training or legal experience in specific areas of law will be evaluated. Credit(s) may be accepted and/or granted, waiving certain courses within our program. Official transcripts will be provided to each student upon hi/her request at no charge upon completion of the program. A fee of $5.00 will be required after the second request.

Internships are available to our Paralegal students. Participants will benefit from the experience gained and will also enhance their marketability. A minimum of ten hours a week interning is required, totaling a minimum of one hundred fifty hours for the semester. Internships are limited, therefore students must apply in advance. The internship is optional and can be substituted for the corresponding specialty course.

Due to our extensive recognition in the legal community, job offers are received on a weekly basis. Job placement assistance is provided to our students from different government agencies, law firms and private sector legal departments. All interested participants are encouraged to register their information in the job bank in GL-120 in order to be contacted for prospective employment opportunities. All employment offers are posted on our bulletin board and announced at all seminars.

Upon successfully completing all course work for this program, a Certificate of Completion will be awarded by the Legal Studies Institute of the College of Continuing and Professional Studies at Florida International University. A certificate from FIU will open doors for you. At the graduation ceremony provided by the Legal Studies Institute at FIU. Family members are invited to participate in this memorable event.

The one-time payment of $25 for the application fee is non-refundable. A full tuition refund may be granted for a course or a seminar after a written request has been submitted and only if requested on or before the first day of class. A 75% tuition refund may be granted for a course or seminar after a written request has been submitted and only if requested by the second day of class.

FIU, University Park Campus, 11200 SW 8 Street and SW 107 Avenue. Please call the Legal Studies Office at (305) 348-2491 at least one week prior to the beginning of class for the room location.

Financial Aid is available only in the form of a “Stafford Loan”. Students may contact the Office of Financial Aid at (305) 348-2347 for further information.

There is a one time application fee of $25.00 for admission into the Legal Studies Institute for new students only. If you are a current Legal Studies institute or FIU student, this $25 fee will be waived. Each course is $225.00. Each seminar is $50.00. All fees are due at registration. Payment arrangement is provided under certain circumstances. In this case, you must schedule an appointment for payment arrangement. All fees must be paid prior to class in order to avoid a $25 late fee.

Prospective students must complete an application form and submit it along with two letters of character reference, resume, and appropriate fees to the office of the Legal Studies Institute. Students may register in person at our office, GL120; fill out online application; or mail the application form, documentations, and payment to: Florida International University, College of Continuing and Professional Studies, Legal Studies Institute, University Park, GL-120, Miami, Florida 33199. You will receive a letter confirming admission into the program upon receipt of your documentation along with a registration form and course schedule. Click to view Spring 2003 Course Schedule

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Call the Legal Studies Institute at (305) 348-2491 or email us at legal@fiu.edu.