Course Information

Enroll

Duration:
7 weeks

Program Modality:
Online

Cost:
$1,295

Dates:
May 5 - June 20, 2025

Notes:

This is an accelerated course, requiring an average of about 8 hours per week for reading and completing assignments.

Students requiring accommodation should contact our office at pewd@utrgv.edu to learn about the process.

Legal Investigation Certificate Course

The Legal Investigation Certificate Course is designed for:

• Individuals interested in pursuing a new career in legal investigation.
• Current legal professionals who want to assist in background investigations for legal cases.
• Professionals in insurance claims, financial collections, or HR who conduct background research.

Upon successful completion, you will be qualified as a criminal investigator, capable of assisting attorneys, paralegals, government agencies, insurance companies, and private businesses in civil and criminal investigations.

This program is provided in partnership with Center for Legal Studies (CLS), a BARBRI company, a leading continuing education company.

logo of Center for Legal Studies


Details:


Participants will demonstrate the following skills through successful completion of all required coursework and assignments:

  • Discuss the origins and history of the American legal system
  • Define and apply important legal terminology
  • Discuss ethics for the law office
  • List the elements of tort law and contract law
  • Explain the important rules of civil procedure
  • Demonstrate how to interview clients and witnesses
  • Demonstrate how to conduct a legal investigation: gathering facts, gathering evidence, and taking statements of clients and witnesses
  • Demonstrate how to handle evidence that has been gathered
  • Explain the important rules regarding the admissibility of evidence in court
  • Describe how to perform legal research
  • Discuss how to create a freelance legal investigation business

This is an accelerated course, requiring an average of 8 hours per week for reading and completing assignments. Extensions will not be granted. A minimum passing score of 70% is required on all tests and assignments.

Required textbooks for this course:
Federal Rules for Paralegals, West Academic
Highly Recommended Legal Resources:
Gilbert Pocket Size Law Dictionary, 3rd Edition. West Academic.

Your final grade will be determined as follows:

  • The six tests are 50 points each and comprise 70% of your grade.
  • The one writing assignment is worth 50 points and comprises 20% of your grade.
  • Your participation in class participation assignments comprises 10% of your grade.

Note: If you are applying for the Continuing Education Private Loan to cover the registration fee for a non-credit continuing education program, then please use the UTRGV Continuing Education School Code: 003599. The loan amount you note in the application cannot exceed the open enrollment fee noted on our website. Books will NOT be included in the loan amount. The minimum for the loans must be $500.00. Some service charges may apply.

*The only loan provider PEWD accepts is Sallie Mae*

Private Loans

 

Submit a required written request via email three business days before the program start date. Weekends are not considered. Partial refunds are not allowed.



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