Paralegal Studies Certificate Program

Paralegals are law professionals who work under the supervision of an attorney, performing a wide variety of support tasks. The paralegal life offers rich, diverse experiences - from writing legal briefs and completing research to summarizing depositions and performing investigative work.

This is a college-level, non-credit program leading to a Certificate of Paralegal Studies. Upon completion of the curriculum, you will be able to:

1. Understand the structure of both state and federal judicial systems. 
2. Analyze (by briefing) reported legal opinions. 
3. Research legal problems using primary and secondary resources. 
4. Write clear, effective legal memoranda, using proper citation form. 
5. Interview clients and witnesses. 
6. Understand the procedure in a civil suit and draft appropriate pleadings. 
7. Be familiar with basic concepts of business organizations and contract law. 
8. Recognize the ethical standards of the paralegal profession.

Dr. Hal Scott graduated from Northeast Louisiana University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1971 and Tulane University School of Law with a Juris Doctorate in 1972. In 1981, Dr. Scott was honored as one of the “Outstanding Young Men in America.” Additionally, he received the honor of being selected as a state Conservationist of the Year for Concordia Parish.

Dr. Scott remains actively involved in his community and is currently serving as:

1- A Law Clerk for the Seventh Judicial District Court since 2008.

2- An adjunct professor of Business Law in the Business Administration Department at LSUA teaching Business Law 3201 and Business Law 3202.

3- The instructor of LSUA Continuing Education’s Paralegal Studies Program teaching the fundamentals of being a successful Paralegal professional. The program was developed and first implemented in the fall of 2016. The program has successfully achieved 100% job placement for those graduates who have timely requested assistance in either advancing their current employment status or moving to new employment opportunities.

• Become a legal professional in less than a year
• Convenient night classes
• Small class size allows for personal attention
• Payment plans available for program cost
• 100% job placement for those students requesting assistance
• Learn from distinguished guest speakers with real-world experience

Throughout the duration of the program, students have the opportunity to learn from a variety of  distinguished guest speakers in the fields of civil law, criminal law, banking, and other related areas of significant interest to a Paralegal professional. Students receive real-life knowledge from these professionals with the added benefit of building business relationships and networking opportunities.

David Stone, Rapides Parish Assistant DA, spoke regarding DWI prosecutions and defense. 


Benjamin A. Luke, Attorney at Law, spoke about successions, wills, and probate. 


Brady McClure Dore', Attorney at Law, discussed family law with the class.


Madeline Tassin and Blake Tassin, representatives of the Cottonport Bank, discussed banking procedures and digital banding with the class. 


Michael Gore, Lead Training Coordinator for the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office and the President-Elect of the Louisiana Narcotics Officers Association (LNOA), discussed drug related arrests and prosecution procedures with the class.

Employers may qualify for cost reimbursement for the Paralegal Studies Program through the SBET program offered through the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC). 

Small Business Employee Training Program (SBET)

The IWTP Small Business Employee Training Program (SBET) is designed to benefit business and industry by assisting in the skill development of existing employees through individual, standardized (off-the-shelf) training. Employers are reimbursed for tuition and required textbooks and manuals once the training has been completed and proper documentation has been submitted to the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC). 

For more information on this program, please visit http://www.laworks.net/WorkforceDev/IWTP/IWTP_SmallBusiness.asp