Why ODU for a paralegal speciality certificate?

Our Paralegal Specialist Certificate program provides advanced legal training for professionals looking to expand their expertise in specialized areas of law. Designed for individuals with prior paralegal education or experience, this fully online, self-paced program allows you to enhance your legal knowledge while balancing work and other commitments.

You will gain expertise in legal research, case analysis, and specialized areas such as Administrative Law, Criminal Law, Family Law, Contract Law, and Business Law. Each certificate program includes two required courses and one elective, covering essential legal concepts and practical applications.

ODU can also prepare you for career advancement with interactive coursework, mock exams, and real-world legal exercises that build confidence and proficiency in key legal disciplines.

When you complete the program, you will earn a Paralegal Specialist Certificate in your chosen field, equipping you with the skills and credentials to advance your legal career.

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Program Information

Students interested in our paralegal speciality certificate program must have:

  • already completed their Paralegal Certificate;
  • a degree in Paralegal Studies; or
  • have substantive experience as a Paralegal

Each specialty certificate program includes:

  • two required courses; and
  • one elective course (from a choice of six options, including Legal Ethics, Evidence, eDiscovery, Advanced Legal Research, Constitutional Law, and Administrative Law)

Advance your legal career with our Paralegal Specialist Certificate program. Enroll today and gain specialized expertise to stand out in the legal field!

Availability TBD

Access course materials 100% online and study from any location. This program is fully asynchronous, allowing you to set your own schedule and progress at your own pace.

You can start anytime, and while the program is designed to be completed in 6 months.

Course delivery includes:

  • Online lecture notes
  • Interactive exercises
  • Chapter reviews
  • Chapter analysis
  • Mock Exams 

Students interested in our paralegal speciality certificate program must have:

  • already completed their Paralegal Certificate;
  • a degree in Paralegal Studies; or
  • have substantive experience as a Paralegal

Each specialty certificate program includes:

  • two required courses; and
  • one elective course (from a choice of six options, including Legal Ethics, Evidence, eDiscovery, Advanced Legal Research, Constitutional Law, and Administrative Law)

Advance your legal career with our Paralegal Specialist Certificate program. Enroll today and gain specialized expertise to stand out in the legal field!

Availability TBD

Access course materials 100% online and study from any location. This program is fully asynchronous, allowing you to set your own schedule and progress at your own pace.

You can start anytime, and while the program is designed to be completed in 6 months.

Course delivery includes:

  • Online lecture notes
  • Interactive exercises
  • Chapter reviews
  • Chapter analysis
  • Mock Exams 

Required Courses by Certificate

  • Administrative Law: Administrative Law is the area of legal practice that involves government agencies instead of courts. The goal of this course is to take the mystery out of administrative law and is organized into three parts: creation of agencies, what agencies do, and how agencies are controlled. This organization brings clarity to the subject matter and allows students to focus on individual concepts while not losing sight of the big picture. The text book uses a variety of practical examples to show how agencies are created, what they do, and how they are controlled. The emphasis is on the function and control of agency processes, and is presented in a way that shows relevance to the student s everyday life, leaving them with a working knowledge of how agencies operate.
     
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution: This course uncovers the distinguishing factors, advantages and disadvantages of the various processes in alternative dispute resolution. Concepts are illustrated by examples in the text and within the online study support, and examples are followed by problem-solving activities that give opportunities to find potential solutions and develop reasoning abilities. Judicial options presented in the text explore more difficult concepts, showing how the courts handle dispute resolution issues when the outcome is not certain.

  • Alternative Dispute Resolution: This course uncovers the distinguishing factors, advantages and disadvantages of the various processes in alternative dispute resolution. Concepts are illustrated by examples in the text and within the online study support, and examples are followed by problem-solving activities that give opportunities to find potential solutions and develop reasoning abilities. Judicial options presented in the text explore more difficult concepts, showing how the courts handle dispute resolution issues when the outcome is not certain.
     
  • Constitutional Law (may substitute Contract Law): This course instructs and clarifies the major legal principles found in the Constitution and in the Supreme Court decisions interpreting the Constitution. It also shows how those principles affect both the practice of law and the daily lives of Americans. Several learning aids are included in each chapter of the text book to help the student grasp the legal concepts and relate those concepts to law practice and to day-to-day living. These learning aids include margin-definitions of legal vocabulary, chapter learning objectives, chapter review questions, questions for analysis and various assignments and projects, tables and charts, hypothetical scenarios illustrating the practical aspect of constitutional principles, edited Supreme Court cases and summaries of Supreme Court cases.

  • Bankruptcy Law: This course examines the paralegal’s role at every stage of a bankruptcy proceeding.  A practical introduction to the code and rules, this course covers everything you need to become a competent bankruptcy paralegal in all areas of bankruptcy. The primary features of the course include the following: thorough coverage of the bankruptcy process, including consumer representation, creditor representation, assisting with the handling of a Chapter 11 case, a helpful overview of the bankruptcy code and rules, and step-by-step guidance through the paralegal’s role at every stage of the bankruptcy proceeding.
     
  • Constitutional Law: This course instructs and clarifies the major legal principles found in the Constitution and in the Supreme Court decisions interpreting the Constitution. It also shows how those principles affect both the practice of law and the daily lives of Americans. Several learning aids are included in each chapter of the text book to help the student grasp the legal concepts and relate those concepts to law practice and to day-to-day living. These learning aids include margin-definitions of legal vocabulary, chapter learning objectives, chapter review questions, questions for analysis and various assignments and projects, tables and charts, hypothetical scenarios illustrating the practical aspect of constitutional principles, edited Supreme Court cases and summaries of Supreme Court cases.

  • Business Law: The Business Law course is designed to provide reference for the training and practicing paralegal professional in the realm of business organizations. There is a strong emphasis on the role of the paralegal in helping to create different business organizations, and the focus is on building a strong foundation on theory followed up with reinforcing practical examples and applications. The course explores the basic concepts of business from sole proprietorships to corporations, and also addresses some of the more mystifying concepts such as corporate management and financial structure. Not only are the various models of business organizations explored, but also the critical role played by the paralegal and the legal team in creating and maintaining those organizations.
     
  • Contract Law (may substitute Legal Ethics): A contract is a legally enforceable agreement created by a promise or set of promises.  The required elements for formation of a contract are: (1) an offer, (2) an acceptance, and (3) consideration. Students are often surprised to learn that they enter into contracts every day and, as such, they should understand their rights and obligations under these agreements. Using a credit card for a gas purchase, signing up for an email account, enrolling in a college, and even sitting in this class, are all forms of contractual relationships. The Contract Law course is organized around a comprehensive road map that takes the reader through the steps of contract law. Key topics from offer, acceptance and consideration to contract provisions, remedies and the drafting of contracts are covered. The text includes chapter overviews, highlighted examples, key terms, review questions, sample clauses for analysis, edited cases, chapter summaries, and end-of-chapter exercises to assist in learning this important yet often challenging area of the law.

  • Contract Law: A contract is a legally enforceable agreement created by a promise or set of promises.  The required elements for formation of a contract are: (1) an offer, (2) an acceptance, and (3) consideration. Students are often surprised to learn that they enter into contracts every day and, as such, they should understand their rights and obligations under these agreements.  Using a credit card for a gas purchase, signing up for an email account, enrolling in a college, and even sitting in this class, are all forms of contractual relationships. The Contract Law course is organized around a comprehensive road map that takes the reader through the steps of contract law. Key topics from offer, acceptance and consideration to contract provisions, remedies and the drafting of contracts are covered. The text includes chapter overviews, highlighted examples, key terms, review questions, sample clauses for analysis, edited cases, chapter summaries, and end-of-chapter exercises to assist in learning this important yet often challenging area of the law.
     
  • Business Law: The Business Law course is designed to provide reference for the training and practicing paralegal professional in the realm of business organizations. There is a strong emphasis on the role of the paralegal in helping to create different business organizations, and the focus is on building a strong foundation on theory followed up with reinforcing practical examples and applications. The course explores the basic concepts of business from sole proprietorships to corporations, and also addresses some of the more mystifying concepts such as corporate management and financial structure. Not only are the various models of business organizations explored, but also the critical role played by the paralegal and the legal team in creating and maintaining those organizations.

  • Criminal Law: The Criminal Law course is designed to provide reference for the training and practicing paralegal professional in the real world of prosecutors, defense attorneys and paralegals in criminal law. Actual examples of criminal cases are investigated and explained, defenses are explored, and appellate processes are examined. Crimes ranging from white collar to “street crimes” to sedition, insurrection, rebellion and hate crimes are covered. Five hypothetical cases are woven throughout the text that illustrate procedure, raise discussion questions and offer opportunities for research exercises. Realistic and practical, the text engages students with discussions of the criminal justice system, the role of police and lawyers, the basic principles of criminal law, constitutional limitations, and trial procedures.
     
  • Constitutional Law: This course instructs and clarifies the major legal principles found in the Constitution and in the Supreme Court decisions interpreting the Constitution. It also shows how those principles affect both the practice of law and the daily lives of Americans. Several learning aids are included in each chapter of the text book to help the student grasp the legal concepts and relate those concepts to law practice and to day-to-day living. These learning aids include margin-definitions of legal vocabulary, chapter learning objectives, chapter review questions, questions for analysis and various assignments and projects, tables and charts, hypothetical scenarios illustrating the practical aspect of constitutional principles, edited Supreme Court cases and summaries of Supreme Court cases.

  • Elder Law: This course is designed to introduce the realities of a modern elder law practice in serving the needs of America’s growing elderly population. The text book is well-organized, and easy-to-read, and the material appeals to a wide audience with or without a legal background. Practical tips addressing cultural and generational differences between young adults and the elderly are included with up-to-date resources, including crossword puzzles, helpful definitions, review questions and practice exercises. Essential elder law topics covered include advance directives, guardianship and conservatorship issues, Medicaid and Medicare planning, long-term care planning, financial planning, end-of-life, discrimination and other family matters.
     
  • Wills, Trusts and Estates: This is a concise and practical course covering the planning and administration of wills, trusts, and estates. The text book is easy-to-understand and introduces the basics of estate planning and bequeathing property to others through wills and trusts, along with the laws and procedures involved. Packed with engaging, highly visual content enhanced by detailed exhibits and a writing style free of confusing legalese, the 9th Edition provides up-to-date coverage of relevant laws, court procedures, cases, tax implications, ethical considerations, and the roles paralegals and other professionals play in the process. Throughout the text, user-friendly case summaries, state-specific examples, practical assignments, detailed documents, and real-life contemporary issues prepare you for success as a paralegal in this important area of law.

  • Employment Law: The Employment Law course covers the history of employment law, labor and unions, ADA, sexual harassment, discrimination, age discrimination, and employees' rights. The text’s three-part structure breaks down the material in an easy to understand and manageable way: “Introduction to Labor and Employment Law” examines the historical development of labor and employment law in America alongside the nature of the employment relationship. “Labor-Management Relations in the Union Setting” shows how American labor law regulates labor-management relations and includes methods of selecting collective bargaining representatives, unfair labor practices by employers and unions, economic weapons in labor disputes and the formation and administration of labor contracts. “Employment Discrimination” deals with the various forms of discrimination and the methods and procedures of pursuing employment discrimination claims. Each chapter also features marginal definitions, fact scenarios illustrating the concepts, and questions about specific facts for the students to consider. A variety of forms are provided to the student to help understand processes and provide a ready reference.
     
  • Administrative Law: Administrative Law is the area of legal practice that involves government agencies instead of courts. The goal of this course is to take the mystery out of administrative law and is organized into three parts: creation of agencies, what agencies do, and how agencies are controlled. This organization brings clarity to the subject matter and allows students to focus on individual concepts while not losing sight of the big picture. The text book uses a variety of practical examples to show how agencies are created, what they do, and how they are controlled. The emphasis is on the function and control of agency processes, and is presented in a way that shows relevance to the student s everyday life, leaving them with a working knowledge of how agencies operate.

  • Media, Journalism, and the Law: From concerts, to tv shows, to sporting events, every form of entertainment today is guided by legal agreements. The entertainment industry is always in need of legal assistance to ensure and protect the interests of artists and performers, and in this course, students will explore First Amendment issues, freedom of the press vs. free trial, civil suits including defamation, libel and slander; copyright and advertising issues as well as cyberspace protocols. The textbook and study support offer numerous hypotheticals, relevant cases and videos about important media issues, including social media and its prevalence in today’s society.
     
  • Contract Law: A contract is a legally enforceable agreement created by a promise or set of promises.  The required elements for formation of a contract are: (1) an offer, (2) an acceptance, and (3) consideration. Students are often surprised to learn that they enter into contracts every day and, as such, they should understand their rights and obligations under these agreements.  Using a credit card for a gas purchase, signing up for an email account, enrolling in a college, and even sitting in this class, are all forms of contractual relationships. The Contract Law course is organized around a comprehensive road map that takes the reader through the steps of contract law. Key topics from offer, acceptance and consideration to contract provisions, remedies and the drafting of contracts are covered. The text includes chapter overviews, highlighted examples, key terms, review questions, sample clauses for analysis, edited cases, chapter summaries, and end-of-chapter exercises to assist in learning this important yet often challenging area of the law.

  • Environmental Law: Environmental Law is a course designed specifically for the practicing paralegal and the paralegal student. It is created in a style that allows the student to receive a thorough and comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the legal system and the regulation of the natural world, even if they are without a prior legal background. Environmental law is a complex area, and the associated text book takes an easy-to-understand approach that allows the student a broad, basic, but complete comprehension of the field. It includes many features such as numerous hands-on assignments and websites, an overview of legal research and how it applies to environmental law, research exercises that teach students how to access local and state laws, crossword puzzles, key terms, review questions, practice exercises and more.
     
  • Administrative Law: Administrative Law is the area of legal practice that involves government agencies instead of courts. The goal of this course is to take the mystery out of administrative law and is organized into three parts: creation of agencies, what agencies do, and how agencies are controlled. This organization brings clarity to the subject matter and allows students to focus on individual concepts while not losing sight of the big picture. The text book uses a variety of practical examples to show how agencies are created, what they do, and how they are controlled. The emphasis is on the function and control of agency processes, and is presented in a way that shows relevance to the student s everyday life, leaving them with a working knowledge of how agencies operate.

  • Family Law: This course provides a concise, accurate introduction to key legal concepts and practical paralegal skills, along with excerpts from real-world cases, forms and checklists you can apply on the job, and tips and techniques for professional success. The required text book includes new and updated material on current trends and topics in this dynamic field, including domestic violence, adoption, domestic partnerships, same-sex marriage, and changing definitions of family. Supported by a full range of available learning supplements, this trusted guide is an ideal resource for formal courses or self-study, and a reliable reference for practicing paralegals.
     
  • Juvenile Law: Presenting the U. S. juvenile justice system in a logical, chronological format, Juvenile Justice provides the most recent and detailed information about a broad range of topics. The balanced presentation gives key insights from political science, public administration, sociology, criminology, and criminal justice as well as the important historical backdrop. Carefully dealing with all the major processing points and agencies, Juvenile Justice covers all the pressing issues that are confronted within the contemporary system.

  • Healthcare Law: This course, Health Care Law, provides essential information necessary for students pursuing careers in the growing health care sector, as paralegals, managers, or compliance/ethics professionals. The associated text offers students easy-to-read chapters that provide outlines, learning objectives, summaries, and exercises to assist students with comprehension. The program focuses on key information such as the types of health care entities, and the laws and ethics that govern them, and discuss the major areas of health care law, including regulatory research and administrative law review. Also highlighted are important contemporary topics like electronic health records, corporate compliance, HIPAA privacy and security, physician professional relationships, and prepares students for their careers with real-world examples.
     
  • Tort Law: This course provides an accessible overview of tort law for paralegals who work on personal injury matters. Real life scenarios and clear examples demonstrate how abstract tort law pertains to real life accidents and injuries. In addition, expanded coverage and hot button issues give readers an opportunity to apply key concepts to the types of cases they will encounter on the job. Built-in learning aids include chapter objectives, marginal definitions, visual aids, case summaries, chapter summaries, and review questions.

  • Immigration Law: At a time when the status of Immigration Law is constantly fluctuating, this course offers a thorough, practical and accessible approach in the understanding and application of U.S. laws and regulations to help protect refugees, bring needed workers to the U.S, prevent separation of and reunite families, and provide relief to foreign nationals facing removal proceedings. The text provides students with in-depth information and highlights recent changes and ongoing litigation where applicable. Materials additionally include the use of Executive Orders and procedural changes affecting the implementation and application of the law, updated discussions of significant legal changes arising from case law, examples and cases from real life, learning objectives, key terms, and documents and illustrations from actual practice.
     
  • Constitutional Law: This course instructs and clarifies the major legal principles found in the Constitution and in the Supreme Court decisions interpreting the Constitution. It also shows how those principles affect both the practice of law and the daily lives of Americans. Several learning aids are included in each chapter of the text book to help the student grasp the legal concepts and relate those concepts to law practice and to day-to-day living. These learning aids include margin-definitions of legal vocabulary, chapter learning objectives, chapter review questions, questions for analysis and various assignments and projects, tables and charts, hypothetical scenarios illustrating the practical aspect of constitutional principles, edited Supreme Court cases and summaries of Supreme Court cases.

  • Intellectual Property Law: The Intellectual Property course provides a thorough guide to the four fields of intellectual property law; trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets, covering topics such as the duration of rights, protection from infringement, and new and international developments in each field. This program is on the forefront of Intellectual Property law, covering new and cutting-edge issues in the field, such as proposals for patent reform, the rise of patent trolls, copyright pre-registration, and Section 337 ITC investigations. In the required text book, the comprehensive overview of each field is complemented by sample agreements, checklists, and other practical guides throughout the book. Each chapter contains realistic case studies and trivia to engage students and provide real world insight into the field of intellectual property law. Intellectual Property also includes invaluable resources that students will refer to throughout their careers, such as useful intellectual property Web sites, internet research questions and an "Ethics Edge" section that relates to ethical issues raised in the chapter.
     
  • Contract Law: A contract is a legally enforceable agreement created by a promise or set of promises.  The required elements for formation of a contract are: (1) an offer, (2) an acceptance, and (3) consideration. Students are often surprised to learn that they enter into contracts every day and, as such, they should understand their rights and obligations under these agreements.  Using a credit card for a gas purchase, signing up for an email account, enrolling in a college, and even sitting in this class, are all forms of contractual relationships. The Contract Law course is organized around a comprehensive road map that takes the reader through the steps of contract law. Key topics from offer, acceptance and consideration to contract provisions, remedies and the drafting of contracts are covered. The text includes chapter overviews, highlighted examples, key terms, review questions, sample clauses for analysis, edited cases, chapter summaries, and end-of-chapter exercises to assist in learning this important yet often challenging area of the law.

  • Juvenile Law: Presenting the U. S. juvenile justice system in a logical, chronological format, Juvenile Justice provides the most recent and detailed information about a broad range of topics. The balanced presentation gives key insights from political science, public administration, sociology, criminology, and criminal justice as well as the important historical backdrop. Carefully dealing with all the major processing points and agencies, Juvenile Justice covers all the pressing issues that are confronted within the contemporary system.
     
  • Criminal Law: The Criminal Law course is designed to provide reference for the training and practicing paralegal professional in the real world of prosecutors, defense attorneys and paralegals in criminal law. Actual examples of criminal cases are investigated and explained, defenses are explored, and appellate processes are examined. Crimes ranging from white collar to “street crimes” to sedition, insurrection, rebellion and hate crimes are covered. Five hypothetical cases are woven throughout the text that illustrate procedure, raise discussion questions and offer opportunities for research exercises. Realistic and practical, the text engages students with discussions of the criminal justice system, the role of police and lawyers, the basic principles of criminal law, constitutional limitations, and trial procedures.

  • Law Office Administration: This course was created to present knowledge of the legal industry, an understanding of how a law office functions, and to provide essential skills. It is a comprehensive introduction to law office management, emphasizing ethics, law office culture, law office systems, and “soft skills,” such as communications and critical thinking. The content is drawn from real-world law office management situations and supported by innovative visual aids and learning tools. Students get hands-on practice with timekeeping, conflicts-checking, file management, trust accounting, business planning, correspondence, and much more. Students are exposed to law office software and learn to perform vital functions using other software and even freeware. Career profiles emphasize the importance of involvement in professional organizations and advancement in the legal field without obtaining a law degree.
     
  • Employment Law: The Employment Law course covers the history of employment law, labor and unions, ADA, sexual harassment, discrimination, age discrimination, and employees' rights. The text’s three-part structure breaks down the material in an easy to understand and manageable way: “Introduction to Labor and Employment Law” examines the historical development of labor and employment law in America alongside the nature of the employment relationship. “Labor-Management Relations in the Union Setting” shows how American labor law regulates labor-management relations and includes methods of selecting collective bargaining representatives, unfair labor practices by employers and unions, economic weapons in labor disputes and the formation and administration of labor contracts. “Employment Discrimination” deals with the various forms of discrimination and the methods and procedures of pursuing employment discrimination claims. Each chapter also features marginal definitions, fact scenarios illustrating the concepts, and questions about specific facts for the students to consider. A variety of forms are provided to the student to help understand processes and provide a ready reference.

  • Evidence: This course offers a general, yet substantive, view of evidence law. It combines content with relevant cases, allowing students to learn and analyze the legal reasoning and court decision-making process behind the laws. The required text book, written in a reader-friendly format, features elements that enhance instruction and helps readers develop essential skills while focusing on the practical applications of the Federal Rules of Evidence and how the rules relate to paralegal practice. The material includes short case summaries, readable examples, marginal definitions of terms, marginal cross-references to the Rules of Evidence, review questions, and hypotheticals.
     
  • Constitutional Law: This course instructs and clarifies the major legal principles found in the Constitution and in the Supreme Court decisions interpreting the Constitution. It also shows how those principles affect both the practice of law and the daily lives of Americans. Several learning aids are included in each chapter of the text book to help the student grasp the legal concepts and relate those concepts to law practice and to day-to-day living. These learning aids include margin-definitions of legal vocabulary, chapter learning objectives, chapter review questions, questions for analysis and various assignments and projects, tables and charts, hypothetical scenarios illustrating the practical aspect of constitutional principles, edited Supreme Court cases and summaries of Supreme Court cases.

  • Tort Law: This course provides an accessible overview of tort law for paralegals who work on personal injury matters. Real life scenarios and clear examples demonstrate how abstract tort law pertains to real life accidents and injuries. In addition, expanded coverage and hot button issues give readers an opportunity to apply key concepts to the types of cases they will encounter on the job. Built-in learning aids include Student Contributor sections, Ethics, discussions, chapter summaries, key terms, review questions, web links and exercises.
     
  • Evidence: This course offers a general, yet substantive, view of evidence law. It combines content with relevant cases, allowing students to learn and analyze the legal reasoning and court decision-making process behind the laws. The required text book, written in a reader-friendly format, features elements that enhance instruction and helps readers develop essential skills while focusing on the practical applications of the Federal Rules of Evidence and how the rules relate to paralegal practice. The material includes short case summaries, readable examples, marginal definitions of terms, marginal cross-references to the Rules of Evidence, review questions, and hypotheticals.

  • Real Estate Law: Offering consistent coverage of both substantive and procedural law, this course delves into the legal theories and terminology, explaining why real estate law is a world onto itself, while also introducing students to increasingly more complex real estate concepts and transactions. Upon completion, students will be able to: explain the basic concepts that underly real estate law, describe the various methods for transferring ownership in real estate, define the elements of a real estate contract for sale of property, explain the bundle of rights that accompany ownership in real estate and describe the components of various types of deeds. The text also includes real world perspectives in each chapter, providing practical and timely discussions of new developments in real estate law, case excerpts reflecting new developments in the law, and graphs, exhibits, and other visual aids demonstrating current trends.
     
  • Contract Law: A contract is a legally enforceable agreement created by a promise or set of promises.  The required elements for formation of a contract are: (1) an offer, (2) an acceptance, and (3) consideration. Students are often surprised to learn that they enter into contracts every day and, as such, they should understand their rights and obligations under these agreements.  Using a credit card for a gas purchase, signing up for an email account, enrolling in a college, and even sitting in this class, are all forms of contractual relationships. The Contract Law course is organized around a comprehensive road map that takes the reader through the steps of contract law. Key topics from offer, acceptance and consideration to contract provisions, remedies and the drafting of contracts are covered. The text includes chapter overviews, highlighted examples, key terms, review questions, sample clauses for analysis, edited cases, chapter summaries, and end-of-chapter exercises to assist in learning this important yet often challenging area of the law.

  • Sports Law: What is Sports Law? A discipline? The law as applied to sports? Or, something else? Whether students are interested in careers in professional or amateur sports law, this course will equip them with the foundational knowledge necessary to identify legal issues, minimize risk, and become a generation of problem solvers within the sports industry. Contracts, torts, agency, labor and employment, racial and gender equity, antitrust, and intellectual property law are all addressed, as are health and safety issues and high school, college, and international/Olympic/regulatory concerns. The accessible text, which includes compelling explanations, notes, questions, review problems, well-edited cases and definitions of key terms, explores the sports industry with an appreciation of its dynamism. Topics examined range from cutting edge issues in athlete representation to the uncertain future of big-time intercollegiate athletics.
     
  • Media, Journalism, and the Law: From concerts, to tv shows, to sporting events, every form of entertainment today is guided by legal agreements. The entertainment industry is always in need of legal assistance to ensure and protect the interests of artists and performers, and in this course, students will explore First Amendment issues, freedom of the press vs. free trial, civil suits including defamation, libel and slander; copyright and advertising issues as well as cyberspace protocols. The textbook and study support offer numerous hypotheticals, relevant cases and videos about important media issues, including social media and its prevalence in today’s society.

Cost & Aid

A smiling, young African American man arrives at his new job holding a box of items for his new office.
Calculating Cost
$1995

Continuing Education can accept payments for courses in several different forms. ODU's helpful staff can assist you in determining if you might qualify for any number of various funding options that could assist you with non-credit continuing educational opportunities to improve your marketability and advance your career.

Explore Continuing Education Financial Information

Includes Tuition and Course Materials

Student sits in a coffee shop on laptop while listening in to a lecture
Refund Policy

To withdraw from a course you must send a request in writing to cepd@odu.edu (7) days prior the start date of the course. Failure to attend a course does not constitute withdrawal. Course registration fees, less a $50 processing fee will be refunded via original form of payment. There are no refunds once the class has begun. Late withdrawals of six (6) days or less before the class begins, will result in the student being charged the $50 processing fee, as well as charges for books and/or other course material fees.

Careers in Paralegal

Our graduates pursue roles as paralegals, legal assistants, compliance specialists, and contract administrators, assisting attorneys with legal research, document preparation, and case management.

Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Growth
1.2%
Median Salary
$60,970
Legal Support Workers, All Other
Growth
1.0%
Median Salary
$67,700
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Growth
-5.1%
Median Salary
$50,680

Bright Outlook

Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 10 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.

- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Contact Continuing Education
Phone: 757-683-5650
Email: cepd@odu.edu
Address: 1105 Student Success Center Norfolk, VA 23529