Regardless of the paralegal degree level you choose to complete – whether a certificate or associate's degree for an entry-level job, or a bachelor's degree that will qualify you for more competitive positions – your basic paralegal course work will cover the same topics.

A traditional paralegal curriculum covers the range of topics that an entry-level paralegal faces on a daily basis. Most programs start with an introduction to paralegal studies, followed by general course work in legal analysis and writing, torts, contracts, ethics courses, and administrative law for paralegals. Practical paralegal courses such as law office management and business organization processes are also common.

Your paralegal courses are also likely to include training specific types of law, including:

• Civil law – civil litigation is intended to bring resolution to disputes between individuals or organizations. Your paralegal curriculum will help you understand the processes involved in civil cases.
  
  
• Criminal law – you will learn how to support attorneys as they prepare for criminal cases, in which the government prosecutes individuals for breaking the law.
  
  
• Real estate law – your training in real estate law will give you insight into the legal aspects of real estate transactions.
  
  
• Family law – dealing with issues relating to families, from adoption to domestic violence to divorce, family law provides a spectrum of challenges for attorneys and paralegals.
  
  
• Wills, trusts and estates – learn how to support individuals as they determine how to distribute their assets after death.

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Unlike most programs, The University of Texas Paralegal Certificate Program does not simply pile substantive area of law upon substantive area of law, basically turning such subjects into "filler." There is a good reason for this philosophy.

Notice that the majority of study in the "typical" paralegal program includes administrative law, tort law, contract law, civil litigation, criminal law, real estate law, family law, business organizations, and wills trusts and estates. The problem is that a paralegal, during his or her career, is likely to use litigation skills and perhaps one other area.

The University of Texas Paralegal Certificate Program instead chooses to focus its curriculum on those areas of training that attorneys care about the most: Skills. Transferable skills. Skills that are applicable in virtually any area of law. Skill training in this program include:

Stages of Litigation

Evidence

Interviewing Clients

Law Office Investigation

Index Research

Legal Analysis

Legal Memorandum Form.

Blue Book Citation Form

Pleading Preparation

Discovery Preparation

Discovery Coordination

Preparing for Depositions

Deposition Digesting

Utilization of Legal Forms

Authority Identification

Legal Research Skills (Law Library and Online)

Electronic Legal Research Skills

Westlaw Training and Access

Lexis Training and Access

Motions, Notices and Briefs

Law Office Etiquette

File Maintenance

Billable Hours

American Bar Association Rules of Ethics

Law Office Ethics

Legal Representation

Texas Court Structure and Procedure

Court Rules

Federal Government Structure

Federal Court Structure

Electronic Discovery

The Arbitration Process

Informal Advocacy

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The University of Texas Paralegal Certificate Program also provides training to students in the two areas of substantive law most likely to be used by a paralegal: Tort Law and Contract Law. In addition, students are trained specifically in Texas Practices and Procedures.

The University of Texas Paralegal Certificate Program provides legal research training in the law library, using Westlaw, and using Lexis. No other program in the area offers all three versions of legal research.
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Another major difference is the study support offered by the University of Texas Paralegal Certificate Program. Compare our study support to other programs. Actually, as you will see, there is no comparison!
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If you know an attorney or paralegal, ask them which is more important for a paralegal: Training in several substantive areas of law, or training in law office skills? That will help you determine which program is right for you.