Description and Outcomes

If you already possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and want to enter the paralegal profession, consider the Pathway to Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate program. This certificate program is designed to increase your knowledge of the paralegal profession and provide you with the foundational coursework to prepare to become a paralegal. Courses teach you how to communicate effectively in a legal environment, conduct legal research, and evaluate legal sources. In addition, you will apply learned concepts to relevant legal arguments and examine ethics in legal environments.

Program Length

The Pathway to Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate program consists of a minimum of 36 or 37 quarter credit hours, depending on your choice of elective. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a certificate.

Program Outcomes

1. Communications: Communicate effectively in legal environments.
2. Ethics: Apply ethical decision making to paralegal practice.
3. Critical Thinking: Apply critical thinking to paralegal practice situations.
4. Practice: Analyze theoretical and practical concepts in areas of legal specialization.
5. Legal Research: Conduct legal research.

Program Availability

For program availability, please refer to the U.S. State and Other Approvals section and Program Availability Information.

Policies

Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams

Certification and licensure boards have state-specific educational requirements for programs that lead to a license or certification that is a precondition for employment. Prospective and current students must review Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information.

Licensure-track programs may limit enrollment to students in certain states; please see Purdue Global’s Program Availability Information to determine enrollment eligibility.

You are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. Such requirements may change during the course of your program. You are not automatically certified in any way upon program completion. Although certain programs are designed to prepare you to take various optional certification exams, Purdue Global cannot guarantee you will be eligible to take these exams or become certified. Your eligibility may depend on your work experience, completion of education and/or degree requirements, not having a criminal record, and meeting other certification requirements.

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Program Requirements

The Pathway to Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate program consists of a minimum of 36 or 37 quarter credit hours, depending on the student's choice of elective. Total program costs may vary.