Offered in partnership with CLS by BARBRI, our Paralegal Certificate Course© teaches you the in-demand skills necessary to perform a variety of paralegal tasks.
This continuing legal education course is a valuable asset for paralegal professionals looking to advance their career, grow professionally, increase their earning potential and gain job-ready skills.
We offer flexible and effective legal education through a variety of formats catered to your busy lifestyle. All formats are designed and updated to remain on pace with the current industry and are taught by working paralegals.
Whether you prefer to learn 100% online around your schedule, through the interaction of instructor-led live lectures or at your own pace via our self-study or text-only formats, we have an option for you.
No matter which option you choose, the Paralegal Certificate Course© offers you a high-quality education by providing the fundamental skills you will need to succeed in today’s world of paralegal professionals. Learn more.
We offer a wide array of professional development opportunities for legal professionals and others whose roles involve legal matters. These include online courses in the following areas:
Visit this page for a complete list of available programs.
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Federal financial aid does not apply to the Paralegal Certificate, because federal aid is only available for degree seeking students; students who are enrolled in an Associate's or Bachelor's degree program.
However, there are alternatives that you can explore, such as pay in installment plans.
Affirm monthly payment plan option is available at the checkout page. Course fee & books qualify. The Affirm option also allows you to add a co-signer.
Depending on your purchase amount, PayPal's "Pay in 4" option may be available at checkout. Once approved, pay 25% immediately and the remaining balance is due in 25% increments every 15 days. PayPal Credit is also available, but this option comes with a hard credit pull and stricter application guidelines. If approved, you are given six months of interest free financing and your line of credit will remain available for use for other PayPal purchases after your have paid off your Paralegal course.
Course fees can be paid in two equal payments of $1047.50 vs. $2095 all at once for the online and text only formats of the Paralegal Certificate Course ONLY and ONLY for schools wherein The Center for Legal Studies takes the registration.
You must email info@legalstudies.com to request a payment link (the online system only accepts full payments). Please include your course, school and start date (for online) in the email request. Split payment for the paralegal program is not based on your credit score.
The Paralegal course is designed for adult students and are taught on a college level.
The minimum requirement to take any of our courses is a high school diploma or GED and 18 years of age prior to enrollment.
No, this certification is not ABA-approved. The American Bar Association (ABA) is a voluntary professional organization for lawyers, and ABA approval is not a requirement for paralegal education programs.
In fact, most paralegal programs in the U.S. do not seek ABA approval, and not all law schools pursue it either. Only about half of practicing lawyers are members of the ABA, and many law schools also operate without ABA approval.
Over three decades of training paralegals, there have been no indications that the absence of ABA approval has negatively affected employment outcomes for graduates. Instead, employers often value the comprehensive, practical training provided by nationally respected institutions.
While some private institutions may seek ABA approval, this certification emphasizes practical training and accessibility, aligning with industry standards for paralegal education.
No final exam, just successful completion of the Paralegal program. (All assignments must be submitted to pass the course. 70% is the minimum passing score on assignments)
The paralegal certificate course is designed to provide legal assistants with the comprehensive training and legal knowledge needed to transition into full paralegal roles.
While legal assistants often handle administrative tasks, our program focuses on developing the substantive legal skills required for paralegal work, including: legal research and writing, procedural knowledge, specialized legal areas and practical application. Many legal assistants use this course to gain the qualifications and confidence needed to take on more substantive legal work and advance in their careers.
New Mexico stands out as the only state mandating a bachelor’s degree for this role. In the absence of this qualification, individuals trained as paralegals are designated as legal assistants, with the terms being used interchangeably.
No, there are no additional steps required to be fully certified in Oregon.
While there is no state-mandated licensure, graduates may choose to pursue voluntary certifications (such as those offered by NALA) to enhance their credentials. However, certification is not a requirement to work as a paralegal in Oregon.
While we cannot speak to the specifics of other paralegal programs, the Center for Legal Studies (CLS) by BARBRI is a widely recognized and well-regarded provider of paralegal education. The program is distinguished by its comprehensive curriculum, accessibility, and affiliation with BARBRI, a name associated with high-quality legal education among attorneys and legal professionals nationwide.
Graduates of this program benefit from the credibility that comes with the BARBRI affiliation, which may enhance their recognition in the job market. Additionally, the program is structured to be flexible and practice-oriented, equipping students with the necessary skills to transition into paralegal roles effectively.
This certification emphasizes practical, job-specific skills rather than academic theory. Unlike degree programs, which typically include general education courses and academic prerequisites, this certificate is designed to provide targeted legal training that can either stand alone or complement a degree by enhancing career-specific competencies.
The program serves as a valuable professional credential that can supplement existing academic qualifications. Rather than serving as a replacement for a university degree, it offers a specialized skillset that may improve employment prospects and allow individuals to develop immediately applicable legal expertise in a shorter timeframe.
