Paralegal Studies Technical Certificate

This technical certificate program is intended for students who already have a Bachelor’s degree in another field of study and want training in legal studies.  This training can help students get a promotion in their existing field, transition to a new field, or decide whether or not to pursue law school.  All candidates must meet with the program coordinator prior to registration for law classes and submit proof of their undergraduate degree.  The certificate program is approved by the American Bar Association, Standing Committee on Legal Assistants (Committee Approval).  The ABA defines a legal assistant or paralegal as “a person qualified by education, training, or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency, or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.”  Paralegal skills emphasize legal research, legal document preparation, and understanding basic substantive and procedural law.

Students must earn a “C” or higher in all LAW courses in order to graduate from the certificate program. The PARL Exit Exam is required for all paralegal students including certificate students.