The Center for Legal Studies is a member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA).

Legal Investigation Certificate Course
Online format (one seven-week session)
June 28-August 13 session: $549
August 23-October 8 session: $575
October 18-December 3 session: $575

This Certificate Course was developed by and is administered by the Center for Legal Studies.

Course Description: This exciting 42-hour, 7-week course is designed to teach legal investigation to those interested in pursuing a new career and those presently working in the legal field. Included subject areas are: arson investigation, products liability investigation, personal injury and traffic accident forensics, employment accidents, investigation of financial and equity matters, professional malpractice and negligence, skip-tracing, and the role of a legal investigator in preparing for civil and criminal litigation.

This online course will cover:
• The origins and history of the American legal system
• The meaning and application of important legal terminology
• Ethics for the law office
• The elements of tort law and contract law
• The important rules of civil procedure
• How to interview clients and witnesses
• How to conduct a legal investigation: gathering facts, gathering evidence and taking statements of clients and witnesses
• How to handle evidence that has been gathered
• The important rules regarding the admissibility of evidence in court
• How to perform legal research
• How to create a freelance legal investigation business

This is an accelerated course, and you will be expected to spend an average of at least 8 hours per week reading and completing writing assignments. Please note that, barring extenuating circumstances, extensions will not be granted for this online course.

TEXTS: The required text for this course is available through The Center for Legal Studies at 800-522-7737.

State Rules of Court (for your particular state)

The following materials are recommended but not required:

• Garner, Bryan A. Black's Law Dictionary, 3rd Pocket Edition. St. Paul: West Publishing, 2006.
• WESTLAW online legal research access

How to earn your Certificate of Program Completion: Your grade will be based on your completion of six tests, one writing assignment, and class participation. The tests and memos are submitted using the Private Mail tool within the courseware. You will have the opportunity to engage in "class participation" by using the online Bulletin Board tool to respond to the bulletin board assignments throughout the course.

Your final grade will be figured as follows:
• The six tests are 50 points each and comprise 60% of your grade.
• The one writing assignment is worth 100 points and comprises 30% of your grade.
• Your participation in class participation assignments comprises 10% of your grade.

Withdrawal Policy: Students may drop the course with a full tuition refund (less $40 administrative fee) if written notice is sent to The Georgia Center by email to students@georgiacenter.uga.edu by the Wednesday before the course begins.

Registration: