Texas A&M International University

PROFESSIONAL: Legal

Advanced Legal Research and Writing Certificate- Online
This exciting course is designed to teach advanced and specialized approaches to utilize the legal resources available in a law library, and elsewhere. The conceptual differences between computer-assisted legal research and hard copy research will be taught. You will also learn how to formulate WESTLAW search queries and effectively and efficiently use WESTLAW and other online legal research methods as time saving devices in legal research and legal writing.

This course is designed to examine more thoroughly advanced and specialized approaches to utilizing the legal sources available in the law library and online.

Successful graduates of this non-credit course will be awarded a Certificate of Completion from the college or university of their choice.

Advanced Paralegal Certificate Course- Online
These advanced topics build upon the nationally acclaimed Paralegal Certificate Course© offered by over 100 colleges and universities nationwide. These classes are available to students who wish to extensively build upon their knowledge of law and paralegal studies with classes in specialized facets of contemporary law. Your study and concentration on substantively specific materials will enable you to gain a strong competitive edge over other paralegals. The additional training gained through participation in these advanced classes will embellish your legal knowledge and skills, which in turn should increase your salary and marketability.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Certification Course- Online
This intensive course is designed to train and qualify students to develop or participate in conflict mediation processes. Participants will review the growth and application of settlement options in the United States. The course focuses on both traditional and non-traditional dispute resolution options. Alternative Dispute Resolution (Mediation) is geared for all professionals who are focused on "interest-based bargaining." This course takes the mystery out of settlement processes and focuses on reaching reasonable solutions.

Intellectual Property Law for Engineers Certificate Course- Online 
All engineers should be particularly concerned with patent law. This constitutionally-based discipline has to do with the process by which an invention, and its creator, are protected by the law from infringement and unfair competition. The class will deal with patent applications, research and prosecution; the law of infringement, and computer applications of software (protected by copyright) and hardware (by patents). We will also state what other concepts are patented, as well as machines, processes, mixtures, manufacturing, compositions of materials and methods of doing business and research. Not only do we deal with utility patents, but with design and plant patents as well.

Landlord and Tenant Law-Online
This comprehensive online course provides practical information for landlords and tenants and may be applied to facilitate an understanding of their respective rights and obligations under residential and commercial leases. In this seminar, we demystify essential terms and conditions in lease agreements, study the most common types of leasehold estates, and introduce sample language that may be used in drafting landlord/tenant documents.

Legal Investigation Certification Course- Online
This exciting course is designed to teach 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. 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.

Legal Nurse Consultant Training Course- Online 
The program prepares medical professionals for a career in the legal field as legal nurse consultants. Building on your medical education and possible clinical experience, 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.

Legal Secretary Certification Course- Online
Students will be qualified to assist attorneys, paralegals, insurance companies, private businesses and state and federal government agencies. This course will provide those interested in a career change with new, marketable job skills and help those already working as legal secretaries to increase efficiency and productivity in their offices.

Paralegal Certificate Course© - Live
Students will be trained 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. There are no prerequisites to take the course, but students will be expected to complete a significant amount of homework for each session. This program will help students increase their office's efficiency, productivity, and billable hours as well as learn new marketable job skills.

Online Paralegal Certificate Course©- Online
Students will be trained 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. There are no prerequisites to take the course, but students will be expected to complete a significant amount of homework for each session. This program will help students increase their office's efficiency, productivity, and billable hours as well as learn new marketable job skills. This online course is available virtually anytime, in the comfort and privacy of your home or office.

Personal Injury for Paralegals- Online
With this exciting, fast-paced class you will learn many of the legal terms, causes of action, and remedies available to victims of personal injury accidents. We will review the negligence theory of torts upon which many personal injury claims are based. Students will discuss interviewing, investigating and other case building techniques vital to a personal injury paralegal's success in the law office.

Software Essentials for the Law Office-Online
This dynamic course is designed for legal professionals interested in improving their skills and knowledge of commonly used computer technology and programs within the law office. Course topics include: computer operating systems and peripheral devices; time tracking and billing software; database, case management and docket control software; litigation support software; electronic discovery, and trial presentation and graphics software.

Victim Advocacy Certificate Course- Online
Participants will be prepared to work in victim advocacy arenas, such as domestic violence shelters, crisis centers, crisis hot lines, 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, guardianship and crisis intervention. It also covers counseling skills for victims of assault, battery, robbery, domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, murder and homicide.

***All classes are subject to cancellation if there is insufficient number of attendees. ***

For additional information contact:
CONTINUING EDUCATION
5201 University Boulevard, Pellegrino Hall 301
Laredo, TX  78041
Tel. 956.326.3068 — Fax 956.326.2838
Email: continuingeducation@tamiu.edu
Office Hours: Mon - Fri, 8 am - 5 pm