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Course: Paralegal Studies Certificate ProgramThe Paralegal Studies Certificate Program is a rigorous educational experience focusing on the practical skills needed to succeed as a paralegal. The 17-week program includes legal fundamentals and core paralegal skills as well as substantive topics of law, including torts, contract, business organization and corporate law. To complete the certificate program, you must pass comprehensive exams covering a broad spectrum of knowledge and skills.
“If you want to be a paralegal, DePaul University's Paralegal Studies Certificate Program is by far one of the best in the industry. Their paralegal space support for the program is phenomenal. This certificate is worth its weight in gold. Surprisingly, I got hired on my first interview after completing the program." —Shirley WalkerThe paralegal program is designed for people seeking to enhance their careers or start a new one. This program builds on skills developed in non-legal fields, such as accounting, education and health care, to provide a better understanding of the legal system.
Essential Skills
What are the requirements for accessing the online support system for the program?
Required materials for the course can cost around $600 and are not included in your registration fee. The course requires four books. A few days prior to the class start date, you will receive an email with the list of course materials and directions on purchasing the main book as well as suggestions on where to purchase the other three books. Why has DePaul University chosen to offer a Certificate in Paralegal Studies? When preparing for a career as a paralegal, you can choose to attend a four-year bachelor's degree program, a two-year associate's degree program or a paralegal certificate program. DePaul CPE has chosen to offer this program as a certificate for the following reasons:
Excellent instruction is the hallmark of DePaul University. We rely solely on legal professionals with excellent teaching abilities, including attorneys who are members of the Illinois Bar Association. Is the DePaul University Paralegal Studies Program "approved" by the American Bar Association? No. At this time, DePaul does not plan to seek American Bar Association approval for our paralegal program. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the majority of paralegal programs offered by colleges, universities, law schools and proprietary schools do not have ABA approval. Only around 260 of the estimated 1,000 paralegal training programs in the United States are ABA approved. Can I sit for national Paralegal examinations? The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) each offer a voluntary examination (for a fee). No state currently requires paralegals to take an exam, and most paralegals choose not to take either exam. Students that have obtained a bachelor's degree in any field and graduate from the DePaul Paralegal Studies Certificate Program are eligible to sit for either exam. Please contact NALA or NFPA for the most current requirements to sit for those examinations. What kind of student support is offered by the DePaul University Paralegal Studies Certificate Program? Student learning is supported by a multitude of tools, making the educational process much more effective than that of any other school. These tools include:
In order to find out if you qualify for financial assistance, you must first contact Workforce Development. As a certified program under the ILLINOIS workNet initiative, this program has been approved for workforce training grants for those who are eligible. Funding may be available for those receiving unemployment benefits. Please contact Workforce Development for more information. For More Information, Contact:Janie RollinsonEmail: jrollin1@depaul.edu | Information SessionsCPE Paralegal Studies Certificate Program Information SessionApril 3, 2024 at 12:00 PM Sign up for this info session! Upcoming Class OfferingsThere are no classes currently being offered in this course. Check back again!Paper RegistrationIf you wish to register for a class via a paper form, click here. Student PoliciesContact UsFor general inquiries, please email us or call 312-362-6300. |