Online sessions begin April 29, 2024. ENROLL NOW! Call 1-800-522-7737, email [email protected] or click here to contact us.

Online sessions begin April 29, 2024. ENROLL NOW! Call 1-800-522-7737, email [email protected] or click here to contact us.

Advanced Paralegal Certificate Course

Starting at:

$3,300 or

$550 per topic

These advanced topics build upon the introductory Paralegal Certificate Course©

Flexible, 100% online course with 24/7 accessibility

Each topic is offered in a 7-week online session

Take one, two or three topics at a time

Complete six topics within one year to receive certificate

More Information
Learn all about the Advanced Paralegal Certificate Course in our most recent informational webinar

About the Advanced Paralegal Certificate Course

Power your paralegal career

These advanced topics build upon the nationally acclaimed Paralegal Certificate Course© offered by over 150 colleges and universities nationwide. These classes are available to students who wish to extensively build upon their knowledge of law and paralegal studies with classes in specialized facets of contemporary law. Your study and concentration on substantively specific materials will enable you to gain a strong competitive edge over other paralegals. The additional paralegal training you get in our Advanced Paralegal Certificate Course will power your marketability and earning potential.

  • Students who successfully complete at least six advanced topics will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.
  • Completing both the Core Requirements and the Advanced Requirements of the Paralegal Certificate Program provides comprehensive training and skills that should enable graduates to quickly become contributors in the growing paralegal profession.
  • California paralegals may need to complete Advanced Paralegal coursework to meet the requirements of California Business and Professional Code §6450. More information.
  • Current and former students who have completed at least 60% of the course will gain exclusive access to the CLS by BARBRI Career Center, connecting employers to qualified paralegals across all disciplines and career stages.

View our recorded webinar

Learn about the coursework, learning outcomes and answers to frequently asked questions

Advanced Paralegal Certificate Course Webinar—This session was recorded on September 20, 2023. Our courses are open enrollment and start every 8 weeks.

Advanced topics available

Advanced Legal Research

Examine advanced and specialized approaches to using the legal resources available in a law library, and elsewhere, in this online course. Explore the conceptual differences between computer-assisted legal research and hard copy research. Also learn how to formulate WESTLAW search queries, and to effectively and efficiently use WESTLAW and other online legal research methods as timesaving devices in the paralegal professions. Coursework in Advanced Legal Research is equivalent to 45 hours of study. Learn more

Alternative Dispute Resolution (Mediation)

Learn negotiation skills and how to select the most cost-effective and least-intrusive ADR method to achieve a positive outcome for both parties. Understand the processes and methods of ADR techniques, learn the proper application and limits of ADR techniques, appreciate the ethical considerations involved in ADR and develop a basic ability to apply ADR methods. Learn more

Bankruptcy Law

Bankruptcy is an area of law that has provided significant employment for paralegals. This comprehensive online course examines the debtor-creditor relationship and the difference between voluntary and involuntary bankruptcy, both under Chapter 7 (liquidation) and 11 (reorganization). You will study the Bankruptcy Code in depth and learn how to prepare important bankruptcy forms. Learn more

Business Law

This course explores the law and practice of business organizations, plus the paralegal’s potential role in this area of law. It begins with an examination of basic agency law, followed by a study of the fundamental structure and most important legal doctrines relating to general partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, small closely held corporations and large publicly traded corporations. Learn more

Constitutional Law

Get an introduction to the fundamentals of the federal constitution, including the institution of judicial review, the limitations on federal judicial power, the constitutional roles of the legislative and executive branches, due process of law, and individual rights under the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Possible future trends of the U.S. Supreme Court will also be explored, along with individual civil liberties and 42 U.S.C. section 1983 claims, emphasizing redress for violations of the Fourth, Fifth and Eighth Amendment rights of the U.S. Constitution. Learn more

Criminal Law

The comprehensive online course will help you understand punishment, burden of proof and criminal defenses. It also provides a critical look at the most common crimes. Learn common terminology in criminal law and how to consider a crime thoroughly in terms of its elements. Learn more

Criminal Procedure

This intensive course deals with the constitutional dimensions of criminal law and procedure. You will leave the course with an appreciation of how the U.S. Constitution focuses on the rights of the accused and the impact upon our law enforcement system. Learn more

eDiscovery

The Advanced Paralegal: eDiscovery topic is an introductory course for people entering the eDiscovery field, as well as professionals wanting to broaden their knowledge of the eDiscovery process. This 7-week course covers the entire eDiscovery process, from preparation to collection to review of Electronically Stored Information (ESI). Throughout the 17 online modules and tests, you will progress through the basics of eDiscovery preparation, best practices for ESI collection and, finally, the review process. The course is supplemented with a comprehensive textbook that covers most relevant eDiscovery topics. Learn more

Education Law

This course focuses on the laws that govern America’s public school system and home schooling, including student rights regarding discipline, suspension, personal grooming, testing and grading, and drug testing. Topics such as segregation, integration, dress codes and drug testing are essential for paralegals seeking full- or part-time law office employment, as well as teachers, school counselors and administrators working in the American education system. Learn more

Estate Planning

This online course explores the paralegal’s role in creating effective and enforceable wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents.  Learn more

Family Law

Family law pertains to the formation and dissolution of domestic relations, including the law of marriage, annulment, separation and dissolution, maintenance, and custody and support of children. The role of the paralegal in family law practice and the importance of mediation of domestic issues will be discussed, along with the differences between community and separate property, the classification of property and the impact of such classification. Learn more

Immigration Law

Explores all significant aspects of the immigration and naturalization process in the United States, including the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. Topics include worker and student visas, as well as Family Residence requirements, and the removal process. Learn more

Intellectual Property

This cutting-edge course provides in-depth instruction in one of the most dynamic and challenging areas of the law. Paralegals in this area work on copyrights, patents, trademarks, unfair competition, protection of trade secrets, and more. The knowledge gained in this course is not only applicable to full- or part-time law office employment, but is also essential for authors and business owners who may be involved in entertainment and contract matters. Learn more

Real Property Law

The law of real property is one of the basic law school courses and is a must for paralegals in a business law firm. The system of common law property, recording acts, conveyancing, mortgaging, landlord-tenant and financing are examined. Also covered are subjects every paralegal should know about buyer-seller issues, mortgage foreclosure, land transactions and the documents that record the purchase, sale and leasing of real estate. Learn more

Victim Advocacy

This intensive online program is designed to train and qualify students to provide assistance to crime victims. The course provides an overview of criminal procedure and discusses the devastating effects crime can have on its victims. Learn more

Water Law

This intensive class is designed to give students an appreciation of the importance of allocation of water resources in the growth of cities in the American west. Las Vegas and Phoenix, for example, would have been mere refueling stations on the transcontinental railroads were it not for massive water projects to make them flourish. Participants will learn of the common law and civil law approaches to the distribution of water in arid regions, the transportation of water from one basin to another and a hierarchy of competing uses for the water. Special emphasis will be given to Colorado’s unique system of water courts and water judges. Although this course is concerned with U.S. water law, the student will also recognize the importance of the free flow of water between the U.S. and Canada, and Mexico. Learn more

Class format

Your flexible and effective legal education

For over 40 years, CLS has provided students with quality legal education catered to working professionals.

The Advanced Paralegal Certificate Course  and individual topics provide the fundamental skills you will need to not only succeed, but soar, in today’s world of paralegal professionals.

95% of students found CLS to be more flexible than other paralegal programs according to a 2022 survey.

Our asynchronous, online format allows busy students to learn anytime, anywhere. The easy to use, interactive platform offers 24/7 course access with video and printed tutorials available

Discussion forums and built-in email tool enables easy communication with your instructor and peers. Review the material as many times as necessary for full retention of the information.

Complete individual topics to earn digital badges, or required to six Advanced Paralegal Course topics to receive a certificate.

Online participants should expect to spend at least 8-12 hours per week reading and preparing assignments and tests for each course. Participants who successfully complete six of the topics required of the Advanced Paralegal Course will earn up to 27 CEU’s, and will receive a Certificate of Completion from the college or university with which they have registered.

CLS provided ongoing administrative and technical support for all students.

Review the Online Advanced Paralegal Course and Topic syllabi to learn more.

CLS by BARBRI features in a text-only format the same Advanced Paralegal Certificate Course that is offered online at colleges and universities nationwide. Student is required to complete six Advanced Paralegal Course topics to receive a certificate. You may begin this course at any time. All six topics must be completed within one year. Student must successfully complete the Core Requirements before they take the Advanced Paralegal Course. Up to three Advanced Paralegal Course topics may be taken during a six-month period and Advanced Paralegal Course topics do not have to be taken in any particular order.

Participants who successfully complete six of the topics required of the Advanced Paralegal Course will earn up to 27 CEU’s, and will receive a Certificate of Completion from the college or university with which they have registered.

Required book purchases for the Advanced Paralegal Course in the text-only format will vary by topic. Required book purchases for the Advanced Paralegal Course will vary by topic. To view the course syllabus, please click here. Contact CLS by BARBRI at 1-800-522-7737 to order books.

Course details

Learning outcomes

Are you a paralegal looking to stand out in a competitive field, increase your earning potential and grow your career? Our advanced paralegal training is your way to gain skills and competency, and to make critical contributions within the legal field and your organization.

Watch this video to hear students share their CLS experience!

Career outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the number of paralegals to increase 10% through 2029. A career as a paralegal could offer you an opportunity to work in a variety of industries and increase you earning potential. Learn more.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a High School Diploma or GED to take CLS courses?

CLS courses are designed for adult students and are taught on a college level. Minimum requirements to take any of our courses are a high school diploma or GED, and to be 18 years of age prior to enrollment.

Can I get financial aid?

Traditional financial aid (Pell grants, Stafford Loans, etc.) usually do not apply to these courses due to their continuing education status. Please view our Payment Options information to explore possible options.

Is the Paralegal Certificate Course© offered by The Center for Legal Studies approved by the American Bar Association?

No. In our opinion, there is no need to seek the approval of the American Bar Association (“ABA”) for any paralegal course of study. Our opinion is apparently shared by the vast majority of paralegal programs, since most paralegal programs are not ABA-approved. The ABA is a voluntary association of lawyers and, recognizing this, only about half of all practicing lawyers are members of the ABA. Not even all law schools have sought ABA approval. In our three decades of experience in training and educating paralegals, we have never had one of our graduates contact us and tell us that he or she was not interviewed or employed as a paralegal by a lawyer or law firm because he or she graduated from our course rather than an ABA-approved course. Our course is sponsored by well-known academic institutions, which are held in high national esteem. So most students actually prefer a Paralegal Certificate from a nationally known and respected school like the University of Arizona or Auburn University rather than from a private, proprietary “Paralegal Institute” which may have paid a large sum of money to receive ABA approval. We have found that our lack of ABA approval has not impacted the job opportunities of our graduates.

Request more information

Are you interested in learning more about the Advanced Paralegal Certificate Course? Complete this contact form to receive emails and text messages from CLS. You’ll also be able to set up a personalized consultation with one of our Enrollment Counselors who can answer all your question and recommend the best course for you.

You’ll receive updates on:

  • How CLS courses work
  • Paralegal career growth and outlook
  • Course pricing, payment options and promotions
  • Exclusive webinars, events and more!

I had a great experience with CLS. Well-organized content, accessible instructors, engaging coursework. Overall a great experience.

— Adam S.

CLS allowed me to get my certificate from the comfort of my own home and I loved that I could choose which main university the certificate would be coming from as well. Thank you for the positive experience!

— Anna I.

I was very impressed with the course content, knowledge and availability of the professor and pace of the course. Definitely recommend CLS!

— Jodi B.

The feedback from the online instructors and the CLS administrative staff was excellent! This was one of the most important factors for me since it is an online program. The online element of the CLS program is convenient, efficient and, to an certain extent, personalized to fit anyone’s particular needs.

— Josh M.

I enjoyed the CLS program because it was flexible, practical, and educational. All objectives were clearly laid out each week and I learned so much from all the reading and assignments. You work hard for your grades and it definitely pays off.

— Melanie R.

The online courses are great and convenient. They are perfect for someone working part or full-time.

— Brian H.

Watch our recent informational webinar video recording

What you’ll learn:
  • How the online course works
  • Instructor and peer/student interactions
  • Career growth and earning potential
  • Our accredited college and university partners
  • Course pricing and payment options
  • Required materials and textbooks