Best Paralegal Certificate Programs

A certificate in paralegal studies aims to provide the knowledge for someone to become a paralegal. These are often shorter programs that do not offer the student a degree in the end. However, in order to become a paralegal, the student should have a minimum of an associate degree; therefore, if the student does not have a prior degree in another subject area they should consider an associate degree in paralegal studies.

An associate degree in paralegal studies is a two-year program that provides the necessary credentials to become a paralegal. There are generally no bachelor's programs for paralegal studies; however, the student may choose to get a bachelor's degree in a similar area, such as criminal justice, and minor in paralegal studies.

A certificate in paralegal studies is a fast-paced program for those who desire to work in the criminal justice field but already have a degree in another area. For example, an English degree is a popular general education degree for those who may be interested in criminal justice because of the focus on research and critical analysis. However, this degree does not provide the required knowledge to work within the legal studies field.

A certificate in paralegal studies would supplement the previously acquired degree and provide graduates the opportunity to work within a law firm or similar location. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), people who have excellent communication, interpersonal, computer, organizational, and research skills would thrive in paralegal positions. This is because there is a lot of researching, documenting, and working face to face with clients.

There are many options for career advancement for paralegals within the field upon completing a certificate program. According to the BLS, paralegals have a median annual wage of $52,920. This is higher than the median annual wage for all jobs, which is $41,950. Paralegals can choose to work in the government, as an educator, or for non-profit organizations. Overall, the job outlook for a career in paralegal studies is positive due to the competitive pay and the variety of career options.

Paralegal in Government

Specialist paralegals like those in government play an important role in society. Paralegals with a certificate or degree may pursue work with the Social Security Administration, the Department of Justice, the Department of the Treasury or the Department of Labor. Graduates may also choose to work for smaller, local government organizations or as part of a court system.

Paralegal in Education

Paralegals may also think about becoming educators for the next generation of paralegals. This is an extremely important position because educators have the opportunity to influence the future of the paralegal studies environment. This alternative career for paralegals may be available to educators who complete a paralegal certificate and may be an option for those that find they do not like the typical day-to-day tasks of a paralegal.

Paralegal in Non-Profit Organizations

Because non-profit organizations have a foundation in activism, they require a firm footing in the law to succeed and help make the world a better place. A paralegal in a non-profit organization has the opportunity to assist the financially vulnerable, victims of domestic violence, victims of assault, animals and those with mental health issues.

There are many options for continued education after a paralegal studies certificate program. Certificate courses may count toward the required associate degree to become a paralegal. Additionally, graduates may choose to pursue a bachelor's degree in a similar field, in which case the certificate courses may count toward a paralegal studies minor. This may also provide substantial experience to those who wish to pursue further education in law school to become an attorney.

There are many course options within a certificate program in paralegal studies. Courses teach students how to prepare legal documents, investigate and research legal issues, interview clients and witnesses, and render practical procedural assistance in law-related matters. Students may also have the opportunity to take elective courses in specialty areas of interest such as real estate, family law, business law, and trusts and wills. These elective courses may provide the student the opportunity to work in more specific roles such as a family law paralegal.

Litigation

This course explores the practices and procedures of taking legal action. Topics in the litigation course may include legal research, courts and jurisdictions, evidence and discovery, pleadings, motions, depositions, trials and appeals, and federal rules of procedure.

Introduction to Business Law

This course discusses the fundamentals of business law. The main emphasis for this course is on key aspects of contract law, including the agreement, consideration, writings, third-party rights, illegality, performance, breach, defenses, and remedies of contract law. The course also discusses agency law, employment law and a variety of other legal issues and topics that are covered within the business law field.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a certificate program in paralegal studies. It may be important for the student to consider whether online or on-campus is the best fit for their needs. Some programs may also offer hybrid options that have some courses online and some on campus. An online program is a great option for the students who wish to have more time flexibility. This reduces the amount of time traveling to class, and in some cases, the courses may be entirely self-paced.

An on-campus program is a great option for students who enjoy cultivating relationships with professors and peers. This may be important for students who want to continue their education, as letters of recommendation could be required application material. Hybrid programs offer both some time flexibility and an opportunity to cultivate relationships.

Another factor to consider is program length. While most programs will take one academic school year, the number of credits needed to complete the course will vary. Taking fewer courses may be important for students who require more time for things like jobs and family obligations. Taking more courses may be important for students who want to transfer to another program to further their education.

A certificate program in paralegal studies typically takes around nine months, or one academic school year. This is about 18-27 credits depending on the program chosen and would be completed between two semesters. Each course is about one to six credits, but generally are 3 credits each.

The requirements to get into a paralegal certificate program are fairly minimal. This program requires a minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Higher education is not necessary, but any transcripts are required upon applying. While online programs are generally open enrollment, it is important to check with each individual university for on-campus and hybrid programs as there may be application deadlines.

The cost of a paralegal studies certificate program is typically around $300-$400 per credit hour. For an 18-27 credit program this would be about $6,000-$11,000 for the entire program. Depending on the program, there may be extra registration fees per semester as well.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Resources for Paralegal Studies Certificate Programs

There are many financial aid and scholarship resources for paralegal studies certificate programs. Though options for certificate students are limited, one route is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This federal program provides need- and merit-based loans and grants to eligible students. The application deadline for this is the June prior to the school year of enrollment.

Another option to pursue is corporate sponsors, like law firms and other companies and organizations working in the legal field. For example, the Warner, Norcross and Judd law firm sponsors an annual Diversity Law Scholarship Program that awards $2,000 to a paralegal student in Michigan.

There are also a number of professional organizations that sponsor scholarships. For example, the National Federation of Paralegals Association (NFPA) sponsors the Thomson/Reuters Scholarship, which provides scholarships of up to $5,000 for students in need.