Legal Studies Instructor (Paralegal and IP)

The Legal Studies programs offered through UC San Diego Extension include the ABA Approved Paralegal Certificate Program and the Professional Certificate in Intellectual Property Program. Courses within the Paralegal and Intellectual Property programs offer students the opportunity to learn from highly qualified legal practitioners who are passionate about teaching and can impart the knowledge necessary to be successful in the legal profession.

Students participating in the Paralegal program are generally seeking an ABA Approved Paralegal Certificate to be in compliance with California’s Business and Professional Code §6450, et. al, which requires paralegals to meet specified education requirements to work as a paralegal. New instructors should be familiar with the statutory requirements for paralegals in California. Students in the Intellectual Property program typically have a legal or scientific background and wish to upgrade their skills and knowledge of intellectual property or make a transition into the field of intellectual property.

Applications for instructors are accepted throughout the year in order to fill immediate program needs and to increase our depth of experts in this area of study. Applicants possessing current knowledge in the following areas are encouraged to apply:

• Civil Litigation
• Legal Research and Writing
• Computer Skills for the Legal Professional
• Intellectual Property (Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, and Licensing)
• Litigation Support/ESI/e-Discovery
• Business Law
• Any specialized area of law for which we offer a course in our legal programs

The curriculum is continually updated and tailored to provide students with the substantive and procedural knowledge required of legal professionals. Taught by qualified attorneys, paralegals, and other legal practitioners, our courses feature practical applications, underlying rationale, and current legal issues, all of which can be immediately utilized in and applied to students’ current and future work environments.

A reasonable estimate of compensation for teaching one section of this course is $700-$2,200. The amount determined within the compensation range is dependent upon course modality, units of instruction, and number of enrollments. Instructional agreements are made on a section-by-section basis at the discretion of the University with no guarantee to teach future sections of this course or any other courses.

Specific Duties

• Use subject-matter expertise to impart knowledge to students
• Stay current regarding the professional body of knowledge in field of practice
• Design syllabus and curriculum as assigned
• Communicate expectations to students
• Prepare and deliver course materials: face-to-face, online, and/or in combination
• Evaluate student learning and assign grades
• Design interactive and motivational activities to fully engage participants and to reinforce student learning
• Update materials periodically, and regularly monitor course evaluations in order to make adjustments and improvements to the curriculum
• Respond to student needs and questions
• Create a high-performance environment in which students of diverse backgrounds are motivated to succeed
• Apply technology and leverage resources appropriately to enhance the curriculum (e.g. use Blackboard or make arrangements for guest speakers)
• Handle mechanics of position according to deadlines (LOAs, texts, A/V, grade submission, etc.)
• Communicate with Program Manager and Instructor Services Team on a timely basis
• Employ cultural competencies to reach any international students in assigned classes

Minimum Qualifications

• Advanced degree from an accredited institution required; Juris Doctor preferred but will accept a Master’s Degree or Ph.D. in certain circumstances; or extensive and relevant legal professional experience
• Current knowledge of and demonstrated proficiency in subject area
• Current participation in industry-related professional associations
• Recognized leadership or authority on subject matter
• Highly effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to convey conceptual and complex ideas and information
• Highly effective interpersonal skills
• University-level teaching experience (or corporate equivalent) preferred
• Experience designing curriculum and measuring student performance preferred
• Proficiency in the use of online teaching tools preferred

Special Conditions of Employment

As an academic department within UC San Diego, all Extension Program instructors and courses must be formally approved according to the regulations of the Academic Senate of the University of California. Eligibility to teach a course is contingent upon this formal academic approval. Once approved, teaching assignments are "by agreement". The instructor's Letter of Agreement outlines the deliverables for the course, the course schedule, and compensation terms, and is subject to department policies and procedures. UC San Diego Extension makes no commitment to hire an instructor until it has sent and received a signed instructor Letter of Agreement. Should the course section an instructor plans to teach be cancelled for any reason, the instructor agreement, including rights to compensation for future section meetings, is voided. Remuneration is for classroom hours only and does not include time spent for course preparation or other events.

Application Requirements

Please complete all relevant fields in the application, and optionally include a resume and cover letter to provide further information relating to your professional and teaching backgrounds. Even if you upload a resume, you must answer all of the questions in the application, when applicable. Failure to do so may result in the rejection of your application.

Please note: We receive and review applications for instructors on an ongoing basis. If we do not currently have teaching opportunities available, we may keep your application on file and contact you if an opportunity that matches your specific skills becomes available. UC San Diego Extension operates on a quarterly schedule and course planning typically takes place six weeks to six months in advance of the start of any quarter.

UC San Diego is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values a diverse workforce.