Master of Professional studies in Paralegal studies online

Table of Contents
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Directors Message

4
Program Overview

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Career Outcomes

6
Course Curriculum

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Course Descriptions

9
Faculty

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Online Learning

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Support Network

12
Frequently Asked Questions

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Admissions

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The George Washington University

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The College of Professional Studies

Directors Message

Its an excItIng tIme to be a paralegal. the paralegal profession is one of the fastest growing in america, and not only in the number of jobs available to good paralegals, but also in the prestige, the responsibilities, the compensation, the challenges, and the professional satisfaction that paralegals enjoy. the george Washington University (gW) proudly presents a highly rigorous program for those who wish to enter this prestigious profession with elite academic credentials. each course includes a natural integration of instruction in ethics, professionalism, legal writing, and legal technology. this interweaving of such important content into the curriculum ensures that students will internalize the concepts and master the skills. the gW master of professional studies in paralegal studies, one of few similar masters degrees in the country, is further distinguished by its association with one of the top-rated law schools in the country: the gW law school. congratulations on taking this first step toward an exciting future, and thank you for considering the george Washington University. Very truly yours,

toni marsh, esquire Director, Paralegal Studies Program College of Professional Studies The George Washington University

Program Overview
the paralegal profession is among the fastest growing in america. the bureau of labor statistics expects paralegal employment to increase by at least 27 percent nationwide through 2014. cnns Money Magazine cited the paralegal profession among the top 20 jobs in america for 2007. the savvy use of highly educated paralegals allows lawyers to produce more work, more efficiently, with better results than they could without such paralegals. the close working relationships between attorneys and paralegals, the rising prestige of the profession, the increase in salaries, and paralegals' growing responsibilities have created a need for more and better-educated professionals. the gW master of professional studies in paralegal studies prepares its graduates to enter the increasingly competitive paralegal profession with confidence and acumen by providing the elite education paralegals require to meet these challenges and exceed expectations. aboUt the program this gW online program, one of the few masters degrees in paralegal studies, is a rigorous course of study that provides comprehensive education in corporate law, litigation, legal research and writing, and includes in-depth study of government law, intellectual property law, and international law. courses balance theoretical, philosophical, and historical perspectives with practical applications of written and association with the gW law school allows our students to study legal research with gW law librarians who hold J.D.s and masters degrees in library science. advanced standing of up to 12 credits that satisfy the core course sequence may be available to qualified graduates of certain paralegal programs. oral communication, analysis, ethics, and legal technology. outstanding lawyers teach courses designed in conjunction with the legal, government, business, and international communities. the paralegal studies program is further distinguished by its association with one of the countrys top-tier law schools: the george Washington University law school. program at-a-glance accelerated online format allows students to complete core requirements for their masters degrees in approximately two years. each course meets in the distance learning environment for six consecutive weeks. Integrated curriculum weaves instruction in ethics and professionalism, technology, and writing throughout the program, allowing students to internalize and master these important concepts easily.

Career Outcomes
A survey* of our Master of Professional Studies in Paralegal Studies online students shows how the program has impacted their professional careers. DIstIngUIsh yoUrself from the others 82.4% of students strongly agree or agree that they apply what they learn effectively at work to differentiate themselves from their peers. Within the first year of the program, 41.2% of gWs master in paralegal studies students already received salary increases. get hIreD by the best companIes In north amerIca United states Department of Justice Department of Defense United Way of the midlands patton boggs troutman sanders United states air force pfizer Inc. United states house of representatives army corps of engineers

87.5% of students chose this program because of gWs high academic reputation. 86.7% of students would definitely take another online program from gW. *student survey conducted in march 2009

For more survey results, visit our website at www.onlinegwu.com

"Since l began the program, l have been promoted by my employer and am now responsible for all of our Federal, State and Private Grants." - Student

Course Curriculum
the program consists of four core courses, three specialties of two courses each, a practicum, and a thesis for a total of 12 courses. below is a listing of required courses for the paralegal studies program through cps online (each course is worth three credits, the thesis is worth two credits, and the internship is non-credit-granting): core paralegal coUrses pslx 210 american Jurisprudence pslx 211 legal research and Writing pslx 212 litigation pslx 213 corporations and contracts law Intellectual property law pslx 216 elements of Intellectual property law awarded "best practices: Distance course" at the american association for paralegal education (aafpe) annual conference in october 2008 International law pslx 218 International trade and finance pslx 219 International litigation aDDItIonal reqUIrements cps 294 thesis cps 298 practicum pslx 217 prosecution and litigation in Intellectual property law legal specIaltIes government law pslx 214 administrative law pslx 215 government contracts law

Course Descriptions
pslx 210 american Jurisprudence court systems, jurisdiction and venue, sources of law, constitutional law, rules of procedure and evidence, ethics, and professionalism. (3 credits) pslx 211 legal research and Writing legal research tools and methodologies, print and electronic resources, drafting legal documents. (3 credits) pslx 212 litigation elements of effective litigation support for civil actions including procedure, rules, technology, ethics, and professionalism. (3 credits) the structure, scope, and regulatory procedures of federal, state, and local administrative agencies. (3 credits) pslx 215 government contracts law the law and processes of procurement, formulation, and execution of government contracts. (3 credits) pslx 216 elements of Intellectual property law legal structure of intellectual property practice including patent, trademark, and copyright practice. (3 credits) pslx 213 corporations and contracts law the processes of corporate law practice, contract formation, and business ethics. (3 credits) pslx 214 administrative law

Course Descriptions

pslx 217 prosecution and litigation in Intellectual property law Issues in intellectual property law, patent prosecution, and litigation. (3 credits) pslx 218 International trade and finance structure of the international financial, trade, and legal systems. (3 credits) pslx 219 International litigation International dispute resolution and litigation, international organizations. (3 credits)

cps 294 thesis guided, independent research on a topic of professional and scholarly significance. (2 credits) cps 298 practicum Work in a professional environment with a view to acquiring skills that will advance professional and academic development. (no credits)

Faculty Profiles
the faculty of the paralegal studies program comprises a broad spectrum of legal professionals who are leaders in their fields. russell r. clark, esquire corporations and contracts s. J. quinney college of law, University of Utah, J.D. 1983; george Washington University, master of public administration, 1982; brigham young University, bachelor of arts in history with a minor in political science, 1978. mr. clark is an attorney engaged in business transactions, corporate contracts, technology transfer and financial services/institution matters. he has represented clients in various commercial software, hardware, communications, motion picture and entertainment transactions. he has also been involved in legislative lobbying and regulatory advocacy at the federal and state levels. he served as the senior policy advisor, a political appointment at a federal financial institution regulatory agency; worked for the U.s. senate; and served as the president and c.e.o. of a financial institution trade association. While there, he also led two subsidiary companies and served on the boards of three other companies. mr. clark also served as corporate counsel to financial services company and as the campaign manager for a former member of congress. mr. clark is a member of bars in District of columbia, pennsylvania and Utah and is admitted to practice in U.s. tax court and various federal and state courts. he has been listed in Whos Who in america and Whos Who in new Jersey business, has received national awards for financial literacy efforts, and has received a national compassionate employer award. he is fluent in french. evan franke, esquire administrative law University of california, berkeley, boalt hall school of law, J.D. 1998; University of california, Davis, bachelor of arts in anthropology 1989; University of chicago, master of arts in anthropology 1992. evan franke is the chief of the litigation and national security coordination Division of the United states citizenship and Immigration services. he also serves as a board member on the board for correction of military records for the U.s. coast guard. he began his career as an attorney through the attorney general's honors program in august 1998 and was assigned to work as a trial attorney for the Immigration and naturalization service in san francisco, california. he served on the Ins general counsel's homeland security transition team at Ins headquarters in Washington, D.c. and worked as a trial attorney for U.s. Immigration and customs enforcement in san francisco. prior to studying the law, mr. franke conducted archaeological fieldwork in peru, bolivia, and argentina. cheryl miller Johns, esquire Intellectual property law the george Washington University law school, ll.m. in Intellectual property law, expected 2010; the catholic University of america, columbus school of law, J.D. 2005; georgetown University, bachelor of arts in english, 2000. cheryl miller Johns is assistant chief counsel for telecommunications and technology at Us small business administration, office of advocacy. prior to that, she was the manager of regulatory affairs at france telecom, north america. she also served as a law clerk

Faculty Profiles
for the United states senate Judiciary committee, subcommittee on antitrust, competition policy and consumer rights, a legal intern at the Us Department of Justice, antitrust Divisions national criminal enforcement section, and a legislative assistant in the global policy Department of sun microsystems. toni marsh, esquire american Jurisprudence and legal Writing cleveland-marshall college of law, J.D., 1990; cleveland state University, bachelor of arts in english, 1987. toni marsh is the Director of the george Washington University paralegal studies master's degree and graduate certificate programs and an associate professor of american Jurisprudence and legal Writing. prior to joining gW, professor marsh designed and directed the paralegal studies program at the University of north carolina at charlotte and taught litigation and contracts at georgetown University. professor marsh has practiced criminal and juvenile law for nineteen years and is the author of Juvenile Law (2006). Jason D. morgan, esquire government contracts george Washington University, J.D. cum laude, 2008; University of florida, bachelor of arts cum laude in classical studies, 2000. Jason D. morgan is currently serving as a law clerk to the honorable lawrence J. block of the United states court of federal claims. mr. morgan was introduced to the world of federal procurement during his five years of service in the United states navy as a supply corps officer. today, he is an active member of the aba's public contract law section. he recently co-authored The 100 Worst Mistakes in Government Contracting with richard D. lieberman. erik petersen, esquire administrative law the george Washington University law school, J.D. 2003; boston college, bachelor of arts cum laude in history, 1997. erik petersen is a trial attorney in the environment and natural resources Division of the United states Department of Justice, where he litigates cases involving issues related to wildlife and marine resources. prior to joining the Justice Department, mr. petersen practiced environmental law at bracewell & giuliani llp. at bracewell, mr. petersen advised clients subject to enforcement actions under a variety of environmental laws. he also counseled clients on environmental regulatory issues and the environmental aspects of acquisitions and divestitures. mr. petersen received a Juris Doctor degree from the george Washington University law school, where he was managing editor of the Environmental Lawyer. mr. petersen has written a number of articles on environmental legal issues, and he received a burton award in 2005 for his contributions to superior legal writing. lawrence ross, J.D., m.l.I.s. legal research and Writing american University, Washington college of law, J.D. 1996; University of Illinois at Urbana-champaign, master of science in library and Information science, 2000; brown University, bachelor of arts in philosophy, 1993.

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Faculty Profiles
lawrence ross is the head of Instructional and media services at the george Washington University law school Jacob burns law library. prior to that, he was a librarian at the environmental law Institute, a library technician for the board of governors of the federal reserve system, and a library associate specialist at brown University. he is the author of Urbanachampaign on the potomac: the University of Illinois leep program, in Law Library Lights, vol. 44(5) and "Internet selection software and the acquisition/ removal Distinction", in Journal of Information Ethics, vol. 9(2). he is a member of the rhode Island bar association and the law librarians association of Washington, D.c. ciarra toomey, esquire International law syracuse University college of law, J.D. cum laude, 2007; maxwell school of citizenship and public affairs, syracuse University, master of arts in International relations, 2007; Kings college, Department of War studies, london, england, 2006; maastricht University, Institute for european studies of macau, Intellectual property law school, macau, china, 2006; syracuse University in strasbourg, human rights and conflict resolution in europe, strasbourg, france, 2005; binghamton University, state University of new york, bachelor of arts cum laude in philosophy, politics, and law with a minor in International relations, 2004. ms. toomey is an attorney with the United states Department of agriculture, office of the general counsel, trade practices, in Washington, Dc. prior to her service with the department, she was a legal trainee at lovells, Intellectual property Department, hong Kong, china; a legal extern with the new york state office of the attorney general; and a legal intern with abraham, lerner and arnold, llp, in new york city. she is fluent in spanish and french and conversant in portuguese. todd Vaughn, esquire litigation and Intellectual property texas southern University, J.D. 1997; texas a&m University, bachelor of science in mechanical engineering, 1993. todd a. Vaughn is a partner in the northern Virginia law firm of sherr & Vaughn, pllc. mr. Vaughn began his legal career as a patent examiner at the U.s. patent and trademark office. prior to starting his own firm, mr. Vaughn was an attorney with breneman & georges in alexandria, Va and nixon peabody llp and was a patent examiner at the United states patent & trademark office. he is a member of the american bar association section of Intellectual property law; state membership coordinator for the District of columbia committee on Women and minorities in the profession; the american Intellectual property law association; the american society of mechanical engineers; and the state bar of texas section on Intellectual property law. mr. Vaughn is also a sports agent and a certified contract advisor with the national football league players association. he is a member of the bars of texas and the District of columbia and is admitted to practice before the Uspto and the supreme court of the United states. he is the author of numerous publications including protecting your Intellectual property, pp. 24-26, Supplier Global Resource (nov/Dec 05); Who owns that prayer?, Counselor Magazine (sept 05); patent protection 101, Supplier Global Resource (July/aug 05); and Investors Downplay patent Importance, Washington Business Journal (27 nov 2000).

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Online Learning Works with Your Schedule

the gW college of professional studies online (cps online) programs have been designed and developed by experienced faculty with a deep knowledge honed from years of experience in their fields. the e-learning program combines the best of traditional learning and makes it better by utilizing the advantages of the Internet. cps online programs will allow you to realize career-advancing opportunities while you continue working. these programs are designed for professionals like you, to help you improve and expand your knowledge and competencies. flexibility log in anytime, from any Internet connection. post responses on the discussion board, receive feedback, and submit assignments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. connection experience individualized attention from faculty and develop close relationships with fellow learners as you interact with them creating a vast network of professional contacts. Interaction post and respond to messages with fellow leaders in your field. online learning puts you much closer to the thinking and experience of your instructors and classmates. timely curriculum course content is continually updated. assignments incorporate the specific issues you deal with at work, allowing you to apply lessons from each course to your job.

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Support Network

cps online has built this degree around your lifestyle and learning needs. We are here to support you every step of the way so that your experience is as easy as possible. We offer you a multi-level support network including:

Admissions Advisor

Student Services Manager

admissions advisor counsels you through the application process

Technical Support

student services manager liaises with the University on your behalf small group Instructor guides you through the course content and requirements faculty develops the curriculum and constantly assesses its relevance and timeliness technical support assists you with any technical problems you may have live 24/7

Small Group Instructor

Faculty

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Frequently Asked Questions

are DIstance learnIng Degrees throUgh cps onlIne any DIfferent from those earneD on-campUs at the george WashIngton UnIVersIty? the online and the on-campus degrees are identical. you will receive the same degree as an on-campus student. What can I achIeVe WIth thIs Degree? see career oUtcomes page of this brochure. hoW Is the program accreDIteD? the george Washington University is accredited by its regional accrediting agency, the middle states association of colleges and schools. the University is on the approved list of the american association of University Women and is a member of the college board. the law school is accredited by the american bar association and is a charter member of the association of american law schools. the program also meets the tuition reimbursement standards of most agencies. hoW long Is the program? the program is completed in approximately 24 months. there are six semesters each lasting approximately 15 weeks. hoW mUch Does the program cost? please contact an admissions advisor for the most current information. this is a great investment when you

consider the program allows you to realize careeradvancing opportunities while you continue working. you can have the benefits of a degree with the accessibility of taking courses from your home or office. When coUlD I start the program? you may enter the program six times per year at two points during each semester in fall, spring, or summer. hoW mUch tIme Is reqUIreD for the program? the program is designed for the working professional who must keep up with the demands of work and home. most students require 15-20 hours of study per week. your small group facilitator acts as your personal mentor and coach and will help keep you on track. students also find their classmates to be a tremendous source of support. Who Do I talK to If I haVe more qUestIons or I Want to apply? you may call an admissions advisor at 1.866.232.0232 ext. 3421 (Us and canada) or +1.647.722.6641 ext. 3421 (International). they will be able to answer all your questions.

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Admissions
applIcatIon reqUIrements applicants must have a bachelor's degree, a background of academic excellence, and submit the following: professIonal experIence a completed application for admission a statement of academic objectives and professional goals a resume of professional experience two recommendations (preferably one from a faculty member and the other from a professional supervisor) official transcripts from each college or university attended applicants who have not graduated from an american university may require an official score from the test of english as a foreign language (toefl) examination (minimum score of 550 for paper-based or 213 for computer-based) or the International english language testing system (Ielts) examination (with an overall band score of 6.0 to qualify) a minimum gpa of 3.0 or equivalent aDVanceD stanDIng polIcy students admitted to the gW master's in paralegal studies program may qualify for advanced standing that satisfies the 12-credit core course sequence through one of the following options: option a: successful completion of gW's legal assistant program, previously offered through the gW center for career education (cce) or center for professional Development (cpD) and a minimum of two years of substantive legal experience. option b: successful completion of an academic credit-bearing post-baccalaureate level graduate certificate in paralegal studies from an accredited institution of higher learning and successful completion of the national federation of paralegal associations (nfpa) paralegal advanced competency exam (pace), the national association of legal assistants (nala) certified legal assistant (cla) exam, or the nals pp or pls examination. option c: successful completion of an institutionally accredited, aba-approved post-baccalaureate level paralegal education program; and successful completion of the national federation of paralegal associations (nfpa) paralegal advanced competency exam (pace), the national association of legal assistants (nala) certified legal assistant (cla) exam, or the nals pp or pls examination. * Please note that a Bachelor's in Paralegal Studies alone does not satisfy the requirements for advanced standing. Any course transferred to GW requires a grade of B or higher. aDVanceD stanDIng reqUest applicants to the masters program in paralegal studies may request advanced standing that satisfies the 12-credit core course sequence candidates who wish to apply for advanced standing should call the admissions office at 1.866.232.0232 ext. 3421 for more information

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the george WashIngton UnIVersIty the george Washington University (gW) is a private, coeducational, non-sectarian university located in Washington, Dc. founded in 1821 as the columbian college on land provided by former president george Washington, the University has since developed into a leading educational and research institution. the 43-acre campus, located in the citys historic foggy bottom neighborhood, is situated a few blocks from the White house and the rest of the national mall. In 1999, the University acquired the mount Vernon college for Women. as of 2006, the george Washington Universitys endowment and other trust funds total approximately $1.017 billion. the george Washington University is currently ranked 52nd on U.S. News & World Reports list of top national Universities. In addition to 4,500 staff members, the george Washington University enrolls a fairly even balance of undergraduate and graduate students; roughly 11,000 of the former and 12,500 of the latter. aboUt the college of professIonal stUDIes the programs of the college of professional studies (cps) are designed with the requirements of adult learners and working professionals in mind. cps offers undergraduate and graduate programs that address the competency requirements of adults working in emerging and rapidly changing professions. the colleges innovative programs are co-developed through collaboration between University content specialists and outside partners such as government agencies, professional associations, consulting organizations, and business and industry leaders. cps programs draw from multiple academic disciplines and are delivered in flexible formats: face-to-face, online, or a blend of both. by combining University faculty experts with accomplished practitioners, the college of professional studies is a catalyst for academic innovation, constructing credentials for the workforce that uphold the Universitys rigorous standards of academic excellence and respond to the needs of todays professionals. cps online programs are characterized by three main concepts: content customization, flexible delivery, and curriculum modularization. content customization is achieved by tapping into the vast intellectual capacity available at gW and by infusing into the program development the vast wealth of knowledge embedded in our organizational partners. this collaborative process addresses specific competency requirements and learning objectives, producing the best possible customized program. flexible delivery refers to our insistence on offering the programs in a learning format most suitable for adult professionals. cps utilizes the most recent advances in instructional technology and proven traditional pedagogy to deliver its programs. 16

the george Washington University the college of professional studies

call: 1.866.232.0232 ext. 3421 (Us and canada) or +1.647.722.6641 ext. 3421 (International) e-mail: paralegal@onlinegwu.com Website: www.paralegal.onlinegwu.com

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The George Washington University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.