Required textbooks for this course:
Federal Rules for Paralegals, West Academic
Highly Recommended Legal Resources:
Gilbert Pocket Size Law Dictionary, 3rd Edition. West Academic.

This is an accelerated course, requiring an average of 8 hours per week for reading and completing assignments. Extensions will not be granted. A minimum passing score of 70% is required on all tests and assignments.

Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course.

Participants will demonstrate the following skills through successful completion of all required coursework and assignments:

• Discuss the origins and history of the American legal system
• Define and apply important legal terminology
• Discuss ethics for the law office
• List the elements of tort law and contract law
• Explain the important rules of civil procedure
• Demonstrate how to interview clients and witnesses
• Demonstrate how to conduct a legal investigation: gathering facts, gathering evidence, and taking statements of clients and witnesses
• Demonstrate how to handle evidence that has been gathered
• Explain the important rules regarding the admissibility of evidence in court
• Describe how to perform legal research
• Discuss how to create a freelance legal investigation business

Your final grade will be determined as follows:

• The six tests are 50 points each and comprise 70% of your grade.
• The one writing assignment is worth 50 points and comprises 20% of your grade.
• Your participation in class participation assignments comprises 10% of your grade.

On the final day of the program, participants take the State of Texas “TSBDE” Dental Assisting Exam.

Additionally, this program prepares participants for the National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Dental Assisting Clinical Certification (DACC) Exam.  For more information about this exam, please visit the NWCA website.

Certification exam information is for reference purposes only and exam fees are not included in the program cost.

Guidelines
• The loan amount must be at least $500.00.
• The loan amount in the application cannot exceed the enrollment fee noted on our website.
• Books will NOT be included in the loan amount.
• Service charges may apply.
• When applying for the Continuing Education Private Loan, please use the UTRGV Continuing Education School Code: 003599.

Lender Information
• The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley does not endorse or recommend any specific lenders for private loans. You are free to select any lender offering private loans. We recommend you compare loans from several vendors to find the best interest rates/terms and repayment options.
• When exploring loan options, please ensure the lender offers loans for non-credit continuing education programs.
• Our department has identified that Sallie Mae offers private loans that may be used for continuing education programs. This is shared for informational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement.

Private Loans
• The only loan provider PEWD accepts is Sallie Mae.
• When applying for the Continuing Education Private Loan to cover the registration fee for a non-credit continuing education program, please use the UTRGV Continuing Education School Code: 003599.
• The loan amount must be at least $500.00.
• The loan amount in the application cannot exceed the enrollment fee noted on our website.
• Books will NOT be included in the loan amount.
• Service charges may apply.

Workforce Solutions
Training & Education Scholarships

Hidalgo County Access to Success Program
Access to Success – HCCSA
 

Submit a required written request via email three business days before the program start date. Weekends are not considered. Partial refunds are not allowed.