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Certified Paralegal (Voucher Included)

Prepare to gain the formal training needed for a career as a paralegal. You will learn to take on a variety of tasks ranging from legal research to drafting legal documents, in traditional law office settings and in corporate, government, and public arenas.

$3,150.00 (USD)

Payment & Funding: view your options

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schedule
                                225 Course Hrs
                            

                                Code
                                    GES2034
                            
Voucher included
calendar_today
                                12 Months
                            
grid_onOpen enrollment
speedSelf paced

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Overview

Objective

Outline

Requirements

Prerequisites

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to take this course. However, you will need a high school diploma or GED equivalent to start a career as a paralegal. It is also recommended that you have basic computer skills, including proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite and fundamental keyboarding skills. A strong grasp of English grammar conventions, such as spelling, punctuation, and composition, is also recommended.

To meet the eligibility requirements to sit for the NALA Certified Paralegal exam, you must meet one of the following requirements: You must have 60 semester hours, of which at least 15 hours* (225 clock hours) are from paralegal studies or hold an associate's degree in paralegal studies, or a bachelor's degree in any field, or have five years of experience as a legal assistant under the supervision of a member of the Bar. Please review the exam requirements before enrolling in this course.

*Note: (15 semester hours = 225 clock hours) - This course is 225 hours and can be combined with 45 semester hours to meet the 60 semester hours required in option 1(e). If you do not have 45 semester hours, you will need to meet eligibility with category 2 or 3)

Certification Requirements:

If you plan to pursue the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Certified Paralegal (CP) credential, you must meet one of the NALA Certification Eligibility Requirements. We recommend determining eligibility before enrolling in this course. If you do not meet the eligibility requirements, this Legal Secretary course will prepare you for an entry-level legal career that can build up to the paralegal role.

NALA Certification Eligibility Requirements

You must meet one of the following requirements outlined in Categories 1, 2, or 3 at the time of filing an application form to be eligible for the CP certification exam through NALA.

1. Graduation from or completion of a paralegal program:

(a) approved by the American Bar Association; or
(b) an associate degree program in paralegal studies; or
(c) a post-baccalaureate certificate program in paralegal studies; or
(In addition to the official school transcript, a candidate must submit an original course catalog or an original letter from the school registrar or program director attesting that the program is a post-baccalaureate certificate program requiring a bachelor's degree as a prerequisite.)
(d) a bachelor's degree program in paralegal studies; or
(e) a paralegal program that consists of a minimum of 60 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) of which at least 15 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) are substantive legal courses.

(Candidates applying under Category 1(e) may combine college hours from more than one institution. The candidate must have graduated from a paralegal program consisting of a minimum of 15 semester hours (or 225 clock hours or 22.5 quarter hours.) Evidence of the minimum hours required under Category 1(e) must be provided with the application form.)

2. A bachelor's degree in any field plus one year of experience as a paralegal or successful completion of at least 15 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) of substantive paralegal courses.

(Those applying under the provision allowing for additional course work in lieu of the one-year work experience must submit an official school transcript showing completed course work.)

3. A high school diploma or equivalent, plus five (5) years of experience as a paralegal plus a minimum of twenty (20) hours of substantive continuing legal education completed within the two-year period prior to application for the examination. Evidence of substantive continuing legal education credit is documented by the supervising attorney/employer attestation that must be signed as part of the application form or by submitting certificates of completions for CLE taken. No further documentation is required.

(Candidates applying under Category 3 may combine on-the-job experience from more than one employer, as applicable. Evidence of continuing legal education credit is documented by the attorney/employer attestation that must be signed as part of the application form or by submitting certificate of completions of CLE taken. No further documentation is required.)

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Instructor

Casey Thompson

Casey Thompson is a licensed attorney in Texas. Before he started teaching, his major areas of practice were business and corporate law, entertainment law, and intellectual property rights. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Tech University and holds a law degree from the Texas A&M School of Law. Along with his online paralegal courses, Thompson also teaches at the college level in the areas of state and federal government.

Trina Brown

Trina Brown is an accomplished legal educator and legal professional with more than 30 years of experience in the legal field. Since 2013, she has dedicated her career to educating and mentoring aspiring legal professionals. Trina has contributed extensively to university education through professorial appointments and service on multiple advisory boards, where she shaped paralegal curricula. Her published work includes her longstanding contribution to the State Bar of Texas Paralegal Ethics Handbook and her article, How to Become a High-Potential (HiPo) Paralegal, which was featured in The Legal Educator, the journal of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE).

Trina earned a Master of Professional Studies in Paralegal Studies from the George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Dynamics from Immaculata University. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in mediation, further expanding her expertise in conflict resolution and legal education. In addition to her professional and educational experience, Trina is a Credentialed Distinguished Mediator and has previously served as a court-appointed mediator for the Dallas and Tarrant County courthouses.

FAQs

What is the average salary of a paralegal?

Paralegal salaries can vary by source and location. For example, Zippia reports an average annual salary of $69,883, while the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a median wage of $61,010 (May 2024). Actual pay depends on experience, where you work, and other factors.

What is a paralegal? What does a paralegal do?

A paralegal is a legal support specialist who performs substantive legal tasks under the supervision of a licensed attorney. They help lawyers be more efficient by handling research, drafting documents, organizing case materials, communication tasks, and assisting with legal procedures. They help keep legal matters moving efficiently but cannot give legal advice or represent clients in court.

What is the difference between a legal secretary and a paralegal?

A legal secretary handles administrative tasks that keep a law office running, while a certified paralegal performs substantive legal work—research, drafting, analysis—under attorney supervision.

Does this course prepare you for a certification?

Yes, you will be prepared to sit for the Certified Paralegal exam through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).

When can I start the course?

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

How long does it take to complete this course?

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive twelve (12) months to complete the course.

What if I don't have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

What kind of support will I receive?

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

What happens when I complete the course?

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

Am I guaranteed a job?

This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

Can I get financial assistance?

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.

How can I get more information about this course?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.

What are the certification exam requirements?

NALA Certification Eligibility Requirements

You must meet one of the following requirements outlined in Categories 1, 2, or 3 at the time of filing an application form to be eligible for the CP certification exam through NALA.

1. Graduation from or completion of a paralegal program:

(a) approved by the American Bar Association; or

(b) an associate degree program; or

(In addition to the official school transcript, a candidate must submit an original course catalog or an original letter from the school registrar or program director attesting that the program is a post-baccalaureate certificate program requiring a bachelor's degree as a prerequisite.)

(d) a bachelor's degree program in paralegal studies; or

(e) a paralegal program that consists of a minimum of 60 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) of which at least 15 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) are substantive legal courses.

Note: This course is currently worth 225 clock hours, which is equivalent to 15 semester hours of substantive legal courses. For Category 1 of eligibility, students who have previously completed 45 semester hours could then take our program to end up with a total of 60 semester hours. If a student does not have 45 semester hours to pair with our program, they would have to meet eligibility with Category 2 or 3.

2. A bachelor's degree in any field plus one year of experience as a paralegal or successful completion of at least 15 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) of substantive paralegal courses.

(Those applying under the provision allowing for additional course work in lieu of the one-year work experience must submit an official school transcript showing completed course work.)

3. A high school diploma or equivalent, plus five (5) years of experience as a paralegal plus a minimum of twenty (20) hours of substantive continuing legal education completed within the two-year period prior to application for the examination. Evidence of substantive continuing legal education credit is documented by the supervising attorney/employer attestation that must be signed as part of the application form or by submitting certificates of completions for CLE taken. No further documentation is required.