The Boston University Center for Professional Education offers a paralegal certificate program. Students can complete the program through classroom instruction on Saturdays or anytime they choose online. Instructors for the 14-week course are practicing attorneys. Subjects covered include litigation, real estate, corporate law, probate and family law, and legal research, writing and reasoning. Students will use technology and legal software to give them hands-on legal experience.
Boston University Center for Professional Education
1010 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02215
866-633-9370
professional.bu.edu/cpe/ParaCert.asp
Fisher College offers an Associate of Science Degree in Paralegal Studies, which gives students an introduction to the legal system and a foundational knowledge in law. The program takes two years and 60 to 61 credit hours to complete. Some general education classes are part of the curriculum. They include public speaking, business communication, math, macroeconomics, psychology, computer applications and writing classes. Legal courses include business and criminal law, the American legal system, law office management, litigation for paralegals and legal research and writing. Senior students will also complete a supervised paralegal internship. They will work at least 120 hours in a legal environment where they will apply what they've learned in class to actual legal situations.
Fisher College
118 Beacon St.
Boston, MA 02116
617-236-8800
fisher.edu/academics/associate-degrees/paralegal-studies.html
Suffolk University offers three certificate, associate's and bachelor's paralegal programs. The certificate program takes a year to complete and includes paralegal and elective coursework. Classes include fundamentals of paralegal practice, civil litigation and law of contracts. The associate's program takes two years and includes courses in liberal arts such as natural sciences and quantitative reasoning. Students will take five required and three elective paralegal courses. They can include legal research and writing, legal ethics, wills and probate, and environmental law. Students in the bachelor's program can work toward a bachelor of arts or science degree. They will take liberal arts and sciences classes in addition to 11 paralegal classes. Coursework can include introduction to law and the legal system, family law, consumer law and bankruptcy, and criminal litigation. Bachelor's degree students will also complete an internship.
Suffolk University
41 Temple St.
Boston, MA 02108
617-573-8000
suffolk.edu/college/12749.html