Best Online Paralegal Certificate Degree Programs of 2023

Liberty University offers an exceptional online paralegal certificate program that prepares students and professionals to grow in their current roles or expand into areas in the legal field. The program requires 18 total credit hours and takes an average of one year to complete. Returning students can transfer up to 75% of the certificate total, and eight start dates throughout the year offer students maximum flexibility. Liberty offers free online textbooks for all its courses, helping make the program more affordable, and military tuition discounts are available for eligible students. During the program, students will take a combination of electives and core courses, including legal research, legal writing, and foundations of law. Liberty University also offers flexible admissions for this program, only requiring students to have a 1.5 or above cumulative GPA for all previous college courses.

Based in Athens, GA, the University of Georgia is a highly-ranked public institution that offers a well-rounded online paralegal certificate program. Students can choose to take the standard online program, which consists of set start and end dates, or the online flex program, which allows students to complete coursework at their own pace within six months. Both options allow students to communicate directly with their instructors, and students in the standard online program will also have plenty of opportunities to network with their peers. This program requires 90 total credit hours and costs $1,895 plus materials. Students will learn important skills they'll need for work in the legal field, such as understanding legal terminology, ethics, investigation techniques, and preparing legal documents.

Duke University's fully-online, self-paced paralegal certificate program is the best choice for students that require as much flexibility as possible. There are no specific due dates or deadlines for assignments or exams. Students need to complete the coursework in its entirety within one year after starting the program. The online learning center makes it easy for students to find lecture notes, writing labs, video tutorials, quizzes, and mock exams. Since the program is open to students from all over the nation, templates and writing labs are available for all 50 states, so students are able to tailor their learning experience to their locale. Duke also offers access to useful tools like the Lexis Advance and Westlaw Next legal research sites, with video tutorials on how to use them. Online resources are available for up to a year after graduation, allowing students to refresh their skills after completing the program.

Boston University's online paralegal studies certificate program takes just 14 weeks to complete, making it the best choice for students that want to fast-track their education and start their new careers. The program is broken down into seven two-week modules. Students learn from practicing attorneys, and for extra support, students can interact with their instructors during virtual office hours without needing to make an appointment. Students must complete modules covering essential skills, including legal research, writing, litigation, and business law. Boston University's program also includes a unique technology module that gives students hands-on experience with the software they'll likely use once they start their careers as paralegals.

The University of South Carolina offers a comprehensive paralegal studies certificate program that can be completed online or in person. The program can be completed in about six months and teaches students essential skills like legal research, analysis, and interviewing witnesses. This program stands out due to the vast array of useful online tools available to students, including access to Westlaw for legal research, phone and email support, online lecture notes, discussion boards, mock quizzes, exercises, and answers to common student questions. The student support website also allows students to interact with their peers and instructors during their studies. For working adults that need to schedule around their other obligations, the online program can be taken during evenings and on weekends. The program costs $4,995, which includes tuition, access to Westlaw, all books, and all materials.

University of Washington Professional & Continuing Education offers a number of programs designed to help professionals update their skills or transition into new fields. As part of the university's paralegal studies certificate program, students will gain a solid understanding of the US legal system and learn the skills they need to work as paralegals or in related professions. This includes essential skills like legal research, professional ethics, litigation, and legal writing. The University of Washington is a great choice for students that plan on applying for scholarships as the school offers a unique certificate scholarship program that can cover $3,000 to $8,000 of program costs. Scholarship recipients receive a waiver every quarter that covers at least 80% of registration and course fees for most certificate programs.

Villanova University's paralegal certificate program is available in full-time (in-person) and part-time (online) formats. Online courses are completed during the evening, making it suitable for working adults that need to learn around their work schedules. Experienced lawyers and paralegals teach all courses. Courses cover important topics such as legal writing, research, ethics, intellectual property law, and contract law. Villanova is an ideal choice for students that need help launching their careers. The university encourages online students to take advantage of all of the services offered by the Villanova University Career Center, including interview prep, resume writing help, and job search services. Students enrolled in this program can connect with a network of more than 72 law firms and over 260 active alums, and the university regularly sends job opportunities to alumni and partners that are shared with students.

Widener University's Delaware Law School offers a full-online paralegal certificate program designed for students who have already earned 60 college credits. Thanks to its many specialization options, this program is ideal for students with specific career goals or academic interests. Program participants can complete their certificates with concentrations in corporate law, litigation, criminal law, estate administration law, or health law. Students can also earn their certificates with multiple concentrations by adding additional courses. The online program consists of nine-semester credits conducted through live online class sessions, while the remaining credits can be taken asynchronously. Students can complete the program over the course of one year, or they can choose the accelerated program to earn their certificate in just one summer.

The George Washington University certificate in paralegal studies is the only academic-credit bearing paralegal studies program in Washington, D.C. This program is an excellent choice for graduate students that plan to eventually pursue a master's degree as the 18-credit graduate certificate can be applied toward the school's 32-credit master's degree in paralegal studies. The online program offers optional evening classes for working students, making it more flexible than comparable programs. Students will take a variety of essential core courses, including courses on legal research and writing, litigation, business entities, and administrative law. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to be eligible for admission.

At just $380 per credit, the University of Massachusetts' online paralegal certificate program is one of the most affordable paralegal programs in the U.S. The curriculum consists of 18 credits, meaning students can earn their certification for less than $7,000.

This course can be completed in nine months, making it a good option for students who want to earn their certificate quickly. Coursework covers a variety of legal studies topics, including legal vocabulary and concepts, the principles of jurisprudence, and litigation practices and procedures. Program grads will be prepared for paralegal jobs in a variety of settings, such as government agencies, banks, consulting firms, and corporate legal departments.