About This Course

The Paralegal Certificate Course© is the cornerstone of The Center for Legal Studies programs. Paralegalism is one of the fastest growing careers in the country.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the number of paralegals to increase 15% between 2016 and 2026, much faster than the national average for all occupations.

The national median earnings for paralegals is currently $50,940.00/Year and freelance paralegal professionals average significantly more across the board.

The Paralegal Certificate Course© is available in a variety of formats to suit your schedule and is offered through colleges and universities nationwide. Successful graduates will receive a professional certificate from the college or university of their choice.

California paralegals may need to complete Advanced Paralegal coursework to meet the requirements of California Business and Professional Code §6450. Please click here for more information.

New Mexico paralegals need to fulfill additional educational requirements to meet the requirements of Rule 20-115 NMRA. Please click here for more information.

Legal Research Requirement

WESTLAW online legal research access is required for CLS students taking the Paralegal Certificate Course© in the following formats:

  • Live lecture – Required for duration of course.
  • Online – Required for the second half of the paralegal online course, access valid for a maximum of 7 weeks.
  • WESTLAW is optional for those students taking the Text-Only format of the course. If you have access to the Internet, we highly recommend purchasing WESTLAW online legal research access. Access lasts for 60 days from date of activation and you must be currently enrolled to purchase.
  • WESTLAW online legal research access, available for only $89.00. Order Online
  • Online
    $1595
  • Text Only
    $1595.00

Course Schedule

Please call 1-800-522-7737 or email [email protected] for more information.

The Paralegal Certificate Course© is offered in the following formats:

Online$1595

The Center for Legal Studies features in an Online format the same Paralegal Certificate Course© that has been offered live since 1980 at colleges and universities throughout the nation. This format is available to students via any computer with internet access and at any time of day or night during our online sessions.

  • Syllabus
  • Review the material as many times as necessary for full retention of the information.
  • Students benefit from direct interaction with the instructor and other students by way of e-mail and a discussion board.
  • Online course is available virtually anytime, in the comfort and privacy of your home or office.
  • Students have 14 weeks to complete the online course (7 weeks for Paralegal I and 7 weeks for Paralegal II.) Please note that the course fee covers both halves of the course.  Students may choose any session to begin the course with Paralegal I and they will be automatically enrolled in the following session for Paralegal II.
  • Students must complete both Paralegal I and Paralegal II to be awarded a Certificate. (California paralegals may need to complete Advanced Paralegal course work to meet the requirements of California Business and Professional Code §6450. Please click here for more information.)
  • Students e-mail assignments and exams
  • Once registered, your password and access information will be sent via email prior to the start of class.

Required Course Textbooks

Legal Research Requirement

Recommended Course Textbooks

Text Only$1595.00

The Center for Legal Studies features in a text-only format the same Paralegal Certificate Course© that has been offered live since 1980 at colleges and universities throughout the nation. This course is available to students who, because of location or schedule conflicts, are unable to take the course in other formats. The Text-only format is a printed version of the online course and requires only the printed lesson material that we send you and your textbooks.

  • Introduction and syllabus
  • Take course on your time in the comfort and privacy of your home or office.
  • Students mail or email assignments to The Center for Legal Studies for grading.
  • Ideal for students who do not have access to a computer and/or the Internet.
  • Review the material as many times as necessary for full retention of the information.
  • Questions can be directed to the instructor via a toll-free number and via e-mail.
  • Students have a maximum of 6 months to complete Paralegal I and 6 months to complete Paralegal II (12 months total).
$1595.00

Required Course Textbooks

Recommended Course Textbooks