Certificate in Paralegal Studies | Texas State University

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET via SOC 23-2011.00

Skills

WritingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingTime Management

Knowledge

Law and GovernmentEnglish LanguageAdministrativeComputers and ElectronicsCustomer and Personal Service

Abilities

Written ComprehensionOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionWritten ExpressionNear VisionSpeech RecognitionSpeech ClarityProblem SensitivityDeductive ReasoningInductive Reasoning

Tasks

Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain docum
Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills,
Investigate facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records and internet
Manage attorneys' calendars and schedule meetings.
Request, review, and summarize relevant records for the cases.

Technology

Analytical or scientific softwareDocument management softwareInformation retrieval or search softwareDesktop publishing softwareCategorization or classification software

Tools

Desktop computersImage scannersLaser facsimile machinesNotebook computersOptical character recognition equipmentPersonal computersPhotocopiersScanners

Work Values

RelationshipsWorking ConditionsSupportAchievementRecognitionIndependence

Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET + BLS

Occupations matched to this program, with median wage, top wage, growth, and openings
SOC	Occupation	Method	Wage	Growth	Openings
Match confidence: medium23-2011.00	Paralegals and Legal Assistants	title_inference	$61,010 median$98,990 top	+0.16%	60

Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: proficient (Level 3)(based on Post-Baccalaureate Certificate)

Complex legal briefs and appellate documents — independently draft, edit, and finalize for attorney review across diverse practice areas including litigation and transactional law.
Multi-source legal research — design and execute comprehensive searches using analytical software, library resources, and case law databases to build complete legal arguments.
Causes of action and legal theories — evaluate case facts against statutes and precedent autonomously, presenting well-supported conclusions to supervising attorneys.
Non-routine document review and due diligence projects — lead review of large document sets, applying deductive and inductive reasoning to surface key issues.
Client and expert witness communications — manage ongoing professional relationships, gathering and conveying case-sensitive information with appropriate discretion.
Full trial preparation workflows — coordinate exhibits, deposition summaries, and demonstrative materials across multiple trial teams without direct oversight.
Cloud-based data access and document sharing platforms — implement and manage secure file-sharing protocols for case teams and outside counsel.
Regulatory and legislative materials — interpret and apply complex statutory language to novel factual situations, advising attorneys on risk and compliance implications.
Judgment calls on procedural ambiguities — resolve independently using accumulated knowledge of court rules and jurisdictional requirements in a litigation support role.
Quality and accuracy of paralegal work product — monitor and evaluate own output against professional standards, proactively identifying and correcting errors before submission.

Course Pathway

7 courses in this program

17 courses

Program Requirements

Courses required to complete this program

PS 5389Internship in Government

3 cr

LS 5310Introduction to the Paralegal Profession and Legal Technology

3 cr

LS 5320Legal Research

3 cr

LS 5330Legal Theories and Analysis

3 cr

LS 5340Litigation

3 cr

LS 5350Legal Drafting

3 cr

LS 5389Law Office Internship

3 cr

Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.