The two areas of study for this topic-specific Specialist Program are Environmental Law and Administrative Law. A required elective further sharpens your understanding of Environmental Law.
Environmental Law
Examine the legal regulations of pollution and waste management. Study some of the federal environmental statutes, including the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Superfund law. Learn about some of the general issues relating to environmental regulations, including the proper goals of environmental regulation; the roles of science and risk assessment; the valuation of environmental injuries and environmental benefits; and the choice of regulatory approach, ranging from command-and-control to information disclosure requirements.
Administrative Law
Paralegals are not permitted to give legal advice nor represent others in legal matters. However, an exception to this tenet is with Administrative representation; and since most administrative agencies allow for non-lawyer representation, paralegals are the perfect fit for the legal administrative process.
Administrative representation is very similar in structure to court representation with a pre-hearing stage, the hearing stage and the administrative appeal. Learn to represent clients in an administrative setting like an attorney by settling matters prior to the formal hearing. Become an effective representative by acquiring the skills to interview clients, research applicable administrative rules and decisions, communicate effectually with agencies, provide necessary documentation, and develop proficiency with the procedures specific to the agency.
Elective
Once you have begun this program, you will work with your instructor to determine which elective course fits best with your particular area of interest. You will choose one of the following electives: E-Discovery, Accounting and Tax Law for Paralegals, Legal Ethics, Laws of Evidence, Advanced Legal Research or Constitutional Law.