Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate
Program Description
This program is designed for students wanting to complete a Certificate in Paralegal/Legal Assistant and enter the workforce. Students explore legal ethics, civil litigation, legal research and writing, and e-discovery and litigation technology. This certificate program prepares students for an entry-level career as a legal assistant in a law firm, corporate, or government agency setting. This program allows for technical training in the paralegal field and to work effectively with computers and legal research. This certificate program is available to students who possess (at the time of entry into the program) an Associate degree with 18 credits of general education credits or a Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university. Students not possessing an approved degree must enroll in the Paralegal/Legal Assistant Associate of Applied Science program.
Graduates are not authorized to practice law. The Paralegal program provides training to perform substantive legal work under the supervision of a licensed attorney.
Learn more about this program.
My Academic Plan: Full-Time
Courses are displayed in a full-time sequence showing the fastest path to your Certificate. Follow the pathway below to complete your Certificate in 2 semesters (1 year). For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.
Spring Semester 1
Fall Semester 2
| PAR 2219 | E-Discovery & Litigation Technology | 3 |
| PAR 2212 | Legal Writing | 3 |
| Any Paralegal Course | Any Paralegal Course. Prefer: Family Law (PAR 1117) or Property Law (PAR 1125) or Administrative Law (PAR 1126) or Evidence (PAR 2202) or Criminal Law (PAR 2205) or Constitutional Law (PAR 2209) or Environmental Law (PAR 2217) | 3 |
| Any Paralegal Course | Any Paralegal Course. Prefer: Family Law (PAR 1117) or Property Law (PAR 1125) or Administrative Law (PAR 1126) or Evidence (PAR 2202) or Criminal Law (PAR 2205) or Constitutional Law (PAR 2209) or Environmental Law (PAR 2217) | 3 |
| PAR 2089 or PAR 2080 | Capstone (PAR 2089) or Internship (PAR 2080) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
My Academic Plan: Part-Time
Courses are displayed in a part-time sequence providing flexibility for the working professional. Follow the pathway below to complete your Certificate within 4 semesters (2 years). This pathway may be accelerated by applying transfer credit, credit for prior learning, and/or completing one or more additional courses each semester. For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.
Fall Semester 1
Spring Semester 2
Fall Semester 3
| PAR 2219 | E-Discovery & Litigation Technology | 3 |
| PAR 2212 | Legal Writing | 3 |
| Any Paralegal Course | Any Paralegal Course. Prefer: Family Law (PAR 1117) or Property Law (PAR 1125) or Administrative Law (PAR 1126) or Evidence (PAR 2202) or Criminal Law (PAR 2205) or Constitutional Law (PAR 2209) or Environmental Law (PAR 2217) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Spring Semester 4
| Any Paralegal Course | Any Paralegal Course. Prefer: Family Law (PAR 1117) or Property Law (PAR 1125) or Administrative Law (PAR 1126) or Evidence (PAR 2202) or Criminal Law (PAR 2205) or Constitutional Law (PAR 2209) or Environmental Law (PAR 2217) | 3 |
| PAR 2089 or PAR 2080 | Capstone (PAR 2089) or Internship (PAR 2080) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Total Credit Hours: 30
Prior Learning eligible course
• Learn more about Credit for Prior Learning
• View all eligible courses
Important Program Notes:
Students may apply English Composition II (ENG 1022) toward the English Composition I (ENG 1021) requirement. Students seeking the Paralegal Assistant AAS degree must complete both ENG 1021 and ENG 1022 requirements.
Students must possess an Associate degree with 18 credits of general education credits or a Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university to be awarded this certificate.