Paralegal

Certificate

Next program start date

November 06, 2024

Finish in as few as

8 months1

Learning includes

  • Online
  • Campus Support and Resources
  • Field Experience

Earn your Paralegal Certificate and play an integral role in assisting lawyers and their clients with a variety of tasks. From conducting research and preparing legal documents for hearings, trials or corporate meetings to being involved in courts, law firms and government agencies, you will become part of an important, fast-paced team within the legal system. At the conclusion of this online Paralegal Certificate program, you will have the necessary knowledge to take the National Certified Legal Assistant/Paralegal (CLA/CP) Exam.

Train to become a certified paralegal through paralegal courses online that are rooted in real-world situations, leveraging legal-specific databases and software that cover modern legal issues such as intellectual property, as well as emerging technologies such as blockchain and cryptocurrency.

Our Paralegal Certificate online courses are designed for people who have already earned an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree, our Paralegal Certificate online courses are designed to give you the core legal knowledge and skills you need to start your paralegal career in as few as 8 months.1

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AFTER THIS CREDENTIAL

What Will This Paralegal Certificate Prepare Me to Do?

Strive for Industry Certification

Our advanced online Paralegal Associate's degree curriculum is designed to academically prepare you to sit for the National Certified Legal Assistant/Paralegal (CLA/CP) Examination.2

Launch Your Paralegal Career

Upon graduation and passing of your CLA/CP Examination, you can start showcasing your knowledge and transferable skills to employers and begin a stable career in today’s fast-paced legal environment.

Pursue Potential Job Growth

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the projected job growth potential between 2020 and 2030 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants is 12%.3 An online Paralegal Certificate program from Rasmussen University can help set you up for success in this growing field.

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Request More Information About Our Accredited Paralegal Degree Online

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Skills

What Skills Will I Gain?

Legal Analysis and Insight

In this online Paralegal Associate's degree program, develop your ability to draft legal documents, manage case files, synthesize data, properly cite legal authorities and identify relevant information sources for legal problems.

Navigate Legal Research Tools

Utilize and navigate extensive legal research tools such as Clio, Lexis Advance® and Fastcase and how such databases are used in the legal research process.4

Advanced Writing Skills

Understand and apply the principles of legal research and writing. Develop strong writing, information and financial literacy, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

Managing Legal Relationships

Value the ability to effectively communicate in a variety of situations. Utilize practical approach to the law of contracts and effectively work with contracts, breach of contracts and the remedies provided for a breach of contract.

Transferable Skills

You’ll also develop the soft skills you will transfer into your role. Core paralegal classes develop your skills in critical thinking, communication, digital fluency, information literacy, diversity, equity and inclusion, and ethics and professional responsibility. Learn more about transferable skills.

female working on laptop
Become an invaluable part of your legal team thanks to career-focused curriculum and hands-on opportunities in your online courses.

Sample Courses

What Types of Paralegal Classes Will I Take?

  • Introduction to Law and the Legal System

    • PLA 1013
    • Online
    • 4 Credits

    Examines the American legal system from a variety of perspectives. Surveys topics including essential history, the working structure of government, issues of court procedure and specific legal concepts. Investigates the role of the paralegal in the legal system and the impact of legal ethics on the paralegal.

  • Introduction to Legal Research

    • PLA 1108
    • Online
    • 3 Credits

    Introduces the legal research process for paralegals. Develop information literacy skills specific to the paralegal field by working with primary sources, like state and federal enacted law and secondary sources. Students will learn the meaning of, and practice, shepardizing.

  • Paralegal Capstone

    • PLA 2820
    • Online
    • 4 Credits

    Prepares students for entry into the legal community through a simulated and meaningful law office experience in an online environment. Students learn through advanced analysis, research and writing projects, then demonstrate their mastery of the content of their core curriculum and apply specialized theory, skills and concepts. Students will engage in practical work experience in the day-to-day operations of a law office work environment and will handle simulated client cases.

9 Courses to Complete

33 Credit Hours

Estimate Your Tuition

Estimate Your Tuition

Rasmussen University is committed to making education more affordable for all students. Our tuition estimating tool can help you visualize the cost of your degree and see what savings opportunities are available to help you achieve it.

Estimate Your Tuition

Estimate Your Tuition

Tuition Estimator

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Rasmussen University believes in helping you make your education as affordable as possible.

Our interactive tuition estimator is designed to help you discover how much you could save on a degree from Rasmussen University.

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Enrollment

What Should I Know Before I Enroll?

Entrance Requirements

Entrance requirements at the Rasmussen University School of Justice Studies vary depending on the program. We do not require enrolling students to submit standardized test scores; however, every entrant must have at least an Associate’s degree or more. No background check is required for this program, but pre-employment screenings, like background checks, may be required for future job opportunities.5

Talk to an admissions advisor

Transfer Student

We believe in giving credit where it’s due. You can get an estimate of your transfer credits without an official transcript in one business day (on average). Talk to an admissions advisor today, or explore our Transfer Policy page for our seamless credit policies designed to maximize credits, potentially save money and expedite graduation.

Visit our Transfer Policy page

Help Paying for College

Higher education should be a manageable investment. Talk to an admissions advisor and learn how these programs can make it more affordable with self-directed assessments, credit for prior learning, loans and grants, scholarship opportunities, corporate grants and military discounts for those who qualify.

Learn more about other ways to save

Class Locations

Where Can I Find an Online Paralegal Program Near Me?

At Rasmussen University, we want our courses to be available on your schedule, not the other way around. Select programs are available for enrollment through a specific campus and nationally online, but students complete the courses online and are able to utilize online and on-campus support and resources. See below to find out where you can find an online Paralegal Certificate program near you.

  • Online
  • Florida
  • Illinois*
  • Kansas
  • Minnesota
  • North Dakota
  • Wisconsin