Center for Legal Studies
UNM Los Alamos Community Education continues to provide expanded offerings from the nationally recognized and acclaimed Center for Legal Studies. Courses are offered fully online and generally run for seven weeks each.
For more information, including registration, go to www.legalstudies.com/vendor/unmla/ or contact the Center for Legal Studies at 1.800.522.7737. For additional assistance, please contact UNM Los Alamos Community Education at 505.662.0346.
Law School Prep Course
Offered through the Center for Legal Studies, this class will give you the tools you need to be ready for the first year of law school and beyond. We’ll lead you through what to expect from the Socratic teaching method and show you how to master the casebook method of instruction used at nearly all law schools. You’ll learn how to take notes effectively and turn those notes into course outlines that you’ll use to master your final exams.
Preparing for the GMAT
Offered through the Center for Legal Studies, this class will prepare students for the MBA entrance exam. You will learn techniques for tackling all problem types, build skills for reading comprehension, sentence corrections, critical reasoning questions, and analytical writing, and learn specific time saving techniques while practicing on actual GMAT tests from previous years.
Preparing for the GRE
Offered through the Center for Legal Studies, this course will ensure that you do your best on the graduate entrance exam! Our course prepares you for the analytical writing and verbal sections and for the quantitative section, including math review and techniques for tackling data interpretation questions. We’ll also show you how to do your best on the three types of questions in the verbal section while practicing on GRE tests from past years.
Preparing for the LSAT
This course provides an overview of law school entrance procedures, a career in law, and law school survival techniques. It includes an intensive review of reading comprehension and logical reasoning questions as well as instruction in proven test taking techniques. You will also learn the outline format that law school admissions counselors favor for the writing sample.
Preparing for the SAT/ACT
If you are college bound, you will probably be required to take the ACT, SAT, or both. This course will prepare you for all question types found on these tests, with special consideration to math and verbal refreshers, as well as tips for relieving test-taking anxiety. You will practice on actual tests from previous years, and review explanations and interpretations of correct and incorrect answers.
Paralegal Certificate Course
Paralegalism is one of the fastest growing careers in the country, with a predicted increase of 28% between 2008 and 2018. This course will provide you with comprehensive knowledge of the American judicial system and teach you practical skills needed to assist trial attorneys, interview witnesses, investigate complex fact patterns, research the law, and assist in preparing cases for courtroom litigation. The course consists of two parts, Paralegal I and Paralegal II. Those completing both parts will receive a Certificate of Completion from UNM-Los Alamos Community Education.
Advanced Paralegal Certificate Course
These advanced topics build upon the nationally acclaimed Paralegal Certificate Course and enable students to build upon their knowledge of law and paralegal studies with classes in specialized facets of contemporary law. Those who successfully complete at least six advanced topics will be awarded a Certificate of Completion. Topics include Mediation, Bankruptcy Law, Constitutional Law, Immigration Law, Property Law, Water Law, and more. Prerequisite: Paralegal Certificate Course, Parts 1 and 2.
Legal Secretary Certificate Course
This intensive program is designed for both beginning and experienced secretaries who are interested in improving their skills and working more efficiently within the law office. Topics include terminology, jurisdiction and venue, ethics, and written communications, as well as processes for filing, billing, accounting, time and records management, word and data processing, research, memoranda preparation, and citation formats. Students will be exposed to actual court documents, and job search strategies and placement possibilities will also be discussed.
Software Essentials for the Law Office
This 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 operating systems and peripheral devices, tracking software, database management and control software, trial presentation and graphics software, and more. Students will explore real-life scenarios and identify and examine ethical issues raised by the use of technology in a legal practice.
Intellectual Property Law for Engineers
The class will deal with patent applications, research and prosecution, infringement, and computer applications of software (protected by copyright) and hardware (by patents). We will also consider other concepts that are patented, and look at issues of copyright, trademark, trade dress, trade secrets and business methods.
Legal Nurse Consultant Training Course
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. Any RN or PA interested in entering the legal field can benefit from the education provided by this course. Successful graduates will receive a certificate for 42 contact hours of continuing nursing education that may be applicable towards continuing education requirements. Graduates may also choose to sit for the Legal Nurse Consultant Certified (LNCC) exam.