A student may earn an undergraduate certificate in paralegal studies either with or after an associate or baccalaureate degree. For example, a student enrolled in any degree program at Marymount University may choose to earn its ABA-approved paralegal certificate.
The Oakland University Professional and Community Education Department offers an ABA-approved paralegal certificate for continuing education units. Admission requirements include satisfactory completion of at least 45 semester hours from an accredited higher education institution, college or university.
A paralegal certificate offered through a university's graduate school is closer to a master's degree than either an undergraduate or a continuing education paralegal certificate. Marymount University offers a graduate paralegal certificate for students who already have a bachelor's degree. Students may apply the graduate paralegal certificate toward a master's degree.
Few universities confer master's degrees in paralegal studies or related fields. One is Marymount University, which offers a Master of Arts in legal administration.