USF Solutions partners with Center for Legal Studies
The University of St. Francis Solutions Resource Center has partnered with The Center for Legal Studies to bring six certificate courses to campus beginning this summer: Paralegal Certificate, Legal Secretary, Legal Nurse, Legal Investigation, Alternate Dispute Resolution (Mediation) and Victim Advocacy.
The certificate programs are offered in three to six week formats, beginning in early June, and are available in a traditional class format or online. Classes will be held in the newly renovated, technologically advanced Solutions Business Center, located in the USF Motherhouse.
"The certificate programs offer an avenue to receive quality career-focused education in a medium conducive for working adults’ schedules," said Bonnie Covelli, Solutions director. "At the same time, the partnership expands USF’s educational options for adult and continuing education students."
The ParaLegal Certificate Course© is an intensive, nationally acclaimed program that trains students to interview witnesses, investigate complex fact patterns, research the law, prepare legal documents and assist in preparing cases for courtroom litigation. The instruction is practice-oriented and relates to those areas of law in which paralegals are in most demand.
LegalNurse Consultant Training CourseTM prepares Registered Nurses and Physician's Assistants for a career in the legal field as legal nurse consultants. Building on the medical education and clinical experience of RNs and PAs, this course provides the RN and PA with fundamental skills necessary to advise law firms, health care providers, insurance companies and governmental agencies regarding medically related issues and to appear in court as expert witnesses. Any RN or PA interested in entering the legal field can benefit from the education provided by this course.
Legal Investigation Certificate Course teaches legal investigation to those interested in pursuing a new career and those presently working in the legal field. At the end of the course, students will be qualified to assist attorneys, paralegals, insurance companies and private businesses, as well as state and federal government agencies, in the process of civil and criminal investigation. Students will also be taught how to create a freelance investigation business.
Legal Secretary Certificate Course is designed for both beginning and experienced secretaries who are interested in improving their skills and working more efficiently within the law office. Students will study such topics as: legal terminology; legal process; jurisdiction and venue; ethics; written communications including letters, pleadings, discovery, notices and motions; filing procedures, billing and accounting; time management; records management; overview of commonly used computers, word and data processing programs; legal research; memoranda preparation and citation format.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (Mediation) Certificate Course trains and qualifies students to develop or participate in conflict mediation processes. Topics include: Why conflicts escalate, why mediation works, the mediation process, the role of the mediator, coming to an agreement, problems encountered in mediation, developing ADR programs for government, business and personal disputes and divorce settlement mediation.
Victim Advocacy Certificate Course participants will be prepared to work in victim advocacy arenas, such as domestic violence shelters, crisis centers, crisis hotlines, and with state and county governments to assist crime victims in progressing through the criminal justice system and toward successful recovery. Course topics include legal terminology, legal process, legislation regarding victims' rights, jurisdiction and venue, ethics, effects of victimization on the victim, victim advocate skills, guardianships and crisis intervention. It also covers counseling skills for victims of assault, battery, robbery, domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, murder and homicide.
Full course descriptions and schedules are available by going to the Solutions Center web site at www.stfrancis.edu/solutions. To register, call (800) 522-7737 or go to www.legalstudies.com.
Founded in 1920, the University of St. Francis in Joliet offers more than 60 areas of undergraduate study in the areas of arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and allied health and social work. Three degree completion programs are offered along with 13 graduate programs.