Program Overview
Legal Studies Program Overview
The Oak Brook College Legal Studies Program is based on the one-year Paralegal certificate program coursework.
Everyone can benefit from a fundamental understanding of law, legal systems, and legal documents. Whether you are in business, ministry, or intend to pursue a calling to assist lawyers, judges, or legislators, solid grasp of basic legal concepts, principles, and procedures is necessary today.
The Legal Studies Program can be tailored to the needs of the individual student. A student can enroll in one course or a series of related courses (a “track”; refer to the table below). If a student completes all of the courses in the Legal Studies Program as well as meeting the minimum study hour requirement of 22 study hours per credit for each course, they will be eligible to take the Certified Legal Assistant exam, and after passing, become a Certified Paralegal/Legal Assistant.
| 1st Quarter 10 credits |
2nd Quarter 11 credits |
3rd Quarter 10 credits |
4th Quarter 11 credits |
|
| Track 1 |
Common Law Jurisprudence (3) | Legal Philosophy & Reasoning (3) | Legal Research & Writing* (4) | Constitutional Law (3) |
| Track 2 | Torts (2) | Criminal Law & Procedure (2) | Wills & Trusts (2) | Civil Litigation (3) |
| Track 3* | Contracts (3) | Real Estate (3) | Business Organizations (2) | Advanced Legal Research* (3) |
| Track 4 |
Family Law (2) | Basic Principles of Counseling (3) | Christian Conciliation (2) | Ethics (2) |
Track 1: Legal Philosophy and Reasoning
Track 2: Civil and Criminal Litigation
Track 3: Business Law*
Track 4: Family Law and Conciliation
Note: If a student enrolls in Track 3, that student must also enroll in the "Legal Research & Writing" course taught in the third quarter. The "Legal Research & Writing" course is a prerequisite for the "Advanced Legal Research" course taught in the fourth quarter of Track 3.
How does it work?
Students receive access to our student website where they can read their syllabi, listen to lectures, upload assignments, and see points awarded for each assignment. For each course, students are provided with a list of required texts, which are procured separately. For each weekly lesson, the syllabus provides an overview of the subject matter, assigned reading and written assignments. Students are required to submit periodic assignments, which are reviewed and graded by the instructor. In most courses, students will also take a proctored final exam to complete their course grade. Students are free to contact the instructor if they have questions or experience any difficulty in their coursework.