Earn a certificate in paralegal studies through the Louisiana State University LSU Continuing Education program. The program consists of a mix of classroom work, an internship and an ethics seminar. Topics include civil litigation, principles of paralegal studies, administrative law, legal research, legal case analysis, criminal law and procedures, legal writing, and real estate law. The internship is performed as a paralegal in a law office or government setting, with approximately 140 hours of work and 10 hours of meetings.
Students can complete the program in one year studying full time or 2.5 years studying part time, with all classes held at night. A bachelor's degree is recommended for program candidates; students without a bachelor's must have at least 45 semester hours of college course work in social sciences, math, English, foreign language, natural sciences and humanities, with at least a 2.3 grade point average.
Louisiana State University
LSU Continuing Education
1225 Pleasant Hall
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
225-578-6760
outreach.lsu.edu
The College of Mount St. Joseph offers three options for paralegal education: a short-term certificate; a 2-year associate's degree; and a 4-year bachelor's degree in paralegal studies. Classes in the field include introduction to litigation procedures, real estate law practice, family law, introduction to paralegalism, legal research, introduction to legal principles, principles of accounting, corporate law practice, and estates, tax and planning.
Students in the bachelor's program perform a paralegal co-op to get hands-on law firm experience and complete a final project or office practice seminar. Applicants must have a high school diploma.
College of Mount St. Joseph
5701 Delhi Road
Cincinnati, OH 45233-1670
800-654-9314
msj.edu
The University of California, Riverside's certificate in paralegal studies is a 15-month program offering classes in civil procedure, contract law, legal research and writing, elder law, electronic file management for paralegals, rules of evidence, trial preparation, alternative dispute resolution, bankruptcy law and procedure, tort law and ethics for the legal professional.
Applicants require an associate degree or bachelor's degree, or a minimum of 40 completed semester units of college class work in social and behavioral sciences, English, math, humanities and natural sciences.
University of California, Riverside
900 University Ave.
Riverside, CA 92521
951-827-1012
extension.ucr.edu