Pathway to Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate
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Program at a Glance
- Purdue Global is the largest provider of legal support services programs in the U.S.*
- Explore how to communicate effectively in a legal environment, conduct legal research, and evaluate legal sources.
- Apply learned concepts to relevant legal arguments and examine ethics in legal environments.
How Do I Get Started?
We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.
Course Effort
15–18 Hours per Week
Course Length
10-Week Terms
Average Completion
11 months
Of Full-Time Study
Credits Required
36–37
(24-25 Semester Credits)
Cost per Credit
$371
Pathway to Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate Overview
If you already possess a bachelor’s degree and are interested in transitioning into the legal field, Purdue Global’s online paralegal certificate program can help make that happen. It’s designed to help you build your knowledge of the paralegal profession and gain the foundational coursework to pursue a career as a paralegal or legal assistant.
The certificate program provides foundational knowledge and includes paralegal courses online that focus on:
- Communication: Communicate effectively in legal environments.
- Ethics: Apply ethical decision making to paralegal practice.
- Critical thinking: Apply critical thinking to paralegal practice situations.
- Practice: Analyze theoretical and practical concepts in areas of legal specialization.
- Legal research: Conduct different types of legal research.
See the University Catalog for policy and degree plan information specific to this program.
Purdue University Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Admissions Requirements
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required to enroll. You will need to provide an official transcript that shows completion of your bachelor’s degree, though an unofficial copy may be provided during the application process. Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.
Ways to Save
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Transfer Credits
Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.
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Prior Work Experience
You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.
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Financial Aid
Title IV federal financial aid is available for many of our degree programs.
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Grants
Learn about federal financial grants and loan programs that may be available.
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Corporate Partner Benefits
Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.
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Military Tuition Reduction
55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers, 38% per credit for veterans for undergraduate programs.
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Prior Military Experience
We offer credit for ACE-evaluated training and CLEP and DANTES examinations.
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International Tuition Reduction
International students living outside of the United States are eligible for a 25% tuition reduction.
Program Cost Estimator
Calculate your estimated tuition and ways to save.
Interaction With Faculty and Students
Courses Taught by Highly Respected Faculty
Learn from faculty who are legal practitioners with real-world expertise in legal services, law, and policy. Collaborate via live seminars, discussions boards, and one-on-one instructor interaction.
Engage With Fellow Students
When you earn your degree from Purdue Global, you join an active and diverse alumni community.
Students enrolled in the certificate program are invited to join organizations such as the Purdue Global Law Society for further networking and educational opportunities.
Take a Career Assessment
Discover your work interests and use them to chart your ideal career path.
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What Courses Will I Take?
This paralegal certificate program will familiarize you with the role of the paralegal in the workplace and in the American legal system, preparing you for the real-world responsibilities of the career.
See All Paralegal CoursesSample Courses
- Introduction to the Law and Legal Profession
- Civil Litigation
- Legal Ethics
- Law Office Management
- Legal Research and Writing
Program Requirements
- Major Credits36–37
- Total Credits36–37
Choosing a Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate
Enter the legal field with a bachelor’s degree. Learn the value of a postbaccalaureate certificate and how one could launch your career.
Build your career in the in-demand field of legal services. Learn pathways to success that don’t require a J.D.
Discover the day-to-day duties of a paralegal. Learn the skills you need to succeed and common career pathways.
See trends influencing legal services, discover the evolution of paraprofessional work, and fit the needs of an evolving field.
Paralegal Career Opportunities
Paralegals often manage legal requirements for services in areas such as intellectual property, health care, international law, elder issues, criminal law, and environmental law. Purdue Global's online paralegal certificate program can provide you with the specialized knowledge to pursue legal assistant or paralegal career options in a range of settings including private law firms, corporate legal departments, insurance companies, real estate and title insurance firms, banks, and government agencies.
Top 5 Skills Employers Are Looking for:
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
Top Jobs With This Degree
Labor market, salary, and projected growth information are supplied by Emsi. Average salary range is based on national data. Projected growth represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2018–2030) at the state level and is based on your geographic location. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, and opportunities for employment. Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.
Graduates are not authorized to practice law and will not be eligible to sit for any state's bar examination. This program was not designed to meet any specific state's requirements for licensure or certification, and Purdue Global makes no representations or warranties as to whether the degree or any individual courses meet such requirements. Refer to the University Catalog for additional information.
Get to Know Our Faculty
Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.
View Legal Studies Faculty Directory
98%
Faculty members who have advanced degrees
50%
Faculty members who hold a doctorate
237
Faculty publications in 2020–2021
More Than 36,000
Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2020–2021
Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, September 2021. 2020–2021 academic year.
Take 3 Weeks to Get to Know Us
Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Experience a Purdue Global undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week period.
There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply.
That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.
Program Brochure
Download our brochure to learn more about our legal studies programs and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.
NOTES AND CONDITIONS
*Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2018–2019 Total Degrees and Certificates Conferred, First Major, Legal Support Services, nces.ed.gov/IPEDS. Based on total number of degrees and certificates granted by Purdue Global compared to other Title IV institutions.