Pathway to Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate
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Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate Overview
It’s time to create more opportunities for your career. Earn your certificate online from the largest university provider of legal support services programs in the U.S. and be ready to meet the fast-growing demand for paralegals and legal assistants.
- Build your knowledge of the paralegal profession and gain the foundational coursework to transition into the legal field.
- Explore topics ranging from civil litigation and criminal law to legal writing and how to evaluate legal sources.
- Apply the concepts you learn to real-world cases and relevant legal arguments.
- Choose from four electives to gain specialized knowledge: Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning; Family Law; Bankruptcy and Debtor-Creditor Law; or Real Estate Law.
Come Back and Move Forward in a New Career
If you already possess a bachelor’s degree and are interested in changing careers, our paralegal certificate program can help you make that happen. Gain skills and knowledge you can apply right away:
- Communicate effectively in legal environments.
- Apply ethical decision-making to paralegal practice.
- Apply critical thinking to paralegal practice situations.
- Analyze theoretical and practical concepts in areas of legal specialization.
- Conduct different types of legal research.
Purdue 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.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Calculate Your Time and Cost
Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.
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.
Sample Courses
- Introduction to the Law and Legal Profession
- Civil Litigation
- Legal Ethics
- Law Office Management
- Legal Research and Writing
Program Requirements
1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours
3-Week Trial
Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Try an undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week trial period.
There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply. That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.
Students who choose to continue at Purdue Global will be billed for the full first term's tuition, including the 3-week trial. See Notes and Conditions below.
Admissions Requirements
You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You must also complete orientation before you start classes.
Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.
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.
Ways to Save on Time and Tuition
Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.
Transfer Credits
Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.
Prior Work Experience Reduction
You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.
Financial Aid
Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.
Grants and Loans
Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.
Corporate Partner Benefits
Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.
Military Tuition Reduction
Undergraduate tuition savings for military include a 55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and 38% per credit for veterans.
Prior Military Experience
Earn credit for your military training. The average Purdue Global military student is awarded 54% of the credits needed for an associate's and 45% of the credits needed for a bachelor's.
View the total cost of attendance for your program.
Possible Behavioral Interview Questions for This Field of Study
- Can you describe a time when a colleague or team member was not meeting their responsibilities on a shared project? How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
- How do you prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities in a demanding role? Can you give an example of how you stayed organized and met a critical deadline?
- Describe a time when you had to draft a legal document (e.g., a brief, memorandum, or contract clause). How did you make sure your writing was clear, concise, and legally sound?
- Can you share a time when you had to explain a legal concept or process to someone without a legal background? How did you ensure they understood, and how did they respond?
- Give an example of a situation where you had access to sensitive or confidential information. How did you handle it, and what steps did you take to uphold ethical and legal standards?
Sample Skills Developed and Used in This Field
- Legal Discovery
- Legal Research
- Proofreading
- Legal Depositions
- Legal Hearings
- Administrative Support
- Billing
- Due Diligence
- Docketing (Court)
- Case Management
- Project Management
- Workflow Management
- Electronic Discovery
- Notary Services
- Detail Oriented
Download the Program Brochure
Download our brochure to learn more about the Online Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global. Prepare yourself for success with a postbaccalaureate paralegal certificate.
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.
Faculty members who have advanced degrees
Faculty members who hold a doctorate
Faculty publications in 2022–2023
Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2022–2023
Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2023. 2022–2023 academic year.
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.