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PARALEGAL PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE PART-TIME EVENING PROGRAM

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  • 15 Courses
  • 9 Months
  • 100% Online
  • Certificate + Digital Badge

¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥'s Paralegal Certificate Program is an ABA-approved programÌýthat has been educating paralegals for over 30 years. Offered in both a full-time day (in person) and part-time evening (online) format, the Program is designed to train qualified individuals in the theory and philosophy of the law and the ethics of legal practice. Students gain the necessary practical skills to effectively assist lawyers and executives in providing legal services to corporations, governmental agencies, law firms and businesses.

Students enrolling in the Paralegal Professional Certificate program may want to become licensed. Each state/jurisdiction has unique educational and prerequisite requirements that candidates must meet to obtain licensure. TheÌýProvost's websiteÌýprovides additional information on whether this program meets the educational requirements in each state/jurisdiction.

The part time Paralegal Professional Certificate ProgramÌýis the ideal flexible option for students with full-time jobs or other daytime commitments. Students complete the full 15-course program to earn a Paralegal Professional Certificate in just nine months. Courses take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 7:00 - 8:30pm, with additional asynchronous work. The part-time program cohorts begin each year in January, May and August.

American Bar Association logo; ABA Approved Paralegal Program

IMPORTANT: Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.

APPLICATION DEADLINES:
Summer 2025 - April 17
Fall 2025 - August 10

LEARNED SKILLS

  • Legal Writing
  • Contract Law
  • Legal Research
  • Business Organizations
  • Ethics
  • Family Law
  • Intellectual Property Law

WHO SHOULD ENROLL?

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A career as a paralegal is ideal for professionals who are excited about the legal field and passionate about helping others. It offers a dynamic work environment where individuals can play a crucial role in supporting attorneys, conducting legal research and ensuring justice is served.

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The following items must be submitted as part of the application process:

  • Official transcript(s) showing proof of Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
  • Essay: Writing sample of career goals.ÌýDownload essay guidelines.
  • Resume or link to your LinkedIn page

Applications for the Paralegal Program are reviewed on a rolling basis.Ìý

For theÌýPart-Time Online cohort, all applicants must haveÌýearned a Bachelor’s degree.


Deadlines: Application and materials are due:

  • April 17Ìýfor the Summer 2025 - Fall 2025 Online Part-Time Program
  • August 10Ìýfor the Fall 2025 - Spring 2026 Online Part-Time Program

Transfer Courses:

Students may petition for ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ to accept a transfer course from another ABA Approved Paralegal program.Ìý All policies related to the transfer of courses are found in the Non-Credit Professional Programs Supplement.

In addition to the above requirements, international Paralegal Program applicants mustÌýalso submit:

  • Official English translation of transcripts byÌýÌý´Ç°ùÌý-approved agency
  • Ìý´Ç°ùÌýÌýfor non-native English speakers
  • Completed Certification of Finances form along with bank statement (dated no later than three months prior to the submission of your application) showing the ability to meet tuition and living expenses. If the bank statement is not in the applicant's name, then a letter of support must accompany the bank statement of the account holder stating he/she will financially support the application while he/she is attending ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥.

All international CPS students must secure their own housing.

PARALEGAL CAREER OUTLOOK

$71,110

median annual salary for a paralegal in the Philadelphia region

43,000

projected job openings for paralegals and legal assistants over the next year Ìý

$60,970

median annual salary for a paralegal nation-wide

According to the

Learn More About Career Outlooks for Paralegal Professionals

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By attending classes in person, students in this program get the chance to build strong connections with their classmates and instructors while making the most of ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ University’s Career Management resources and networking opportunities.

HOW IT WORKS

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100% Online

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Live Instructor-Led

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Program Cost: $9,495*

*Books and parking fees not included


UPCOMING SCHEDULES

Fall 2025

Fall 2025 - Spring 2026 Cohort
Application Deadline: August 10

Student Orientation: August 18
Classes run August 26, 2025 - May 20, 2026

No Class:
October 14 - 16
November 26 - 28
December 16 - January 13
March 3-5
April 2-5

100% Online

Looking to complete the course in 4 months? Check out our Full-Time Day Program.

ADDITIONAL PROGRAM DETAILS

Students complete the following courses:

  • Civil Procedure & Litigation
  • Business Organizations
  • Contract Law
  • Criminal Law
  • Employment Law
  • Estates & Trusts
  • Ethics
  • Family Law
  • Intellectual Property Law
  • Introduction to Paralegal Profession & PrinciplesÌý
  • Legal Research
  • Legal Writing
  • Paralegal Office Coordination
  • Real Estate Law
  • Torts and Personal Injury Law

To earn a ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ University certificate of completion, students must earn a grade of ‘C’ or higher in each class, complete a program exit exam, and submit a portfolio of class assignments.

Tuition

$9,495 for online evening cohort ($633 per course)

Books are an additional cost.

Payment Plans

CPS students enrolling in the Paralegal Program may participate in a payment plan. Payment plans are offered through Nelnet Campus Commerce, and students are encouraged to reach out toÌýNelnet directly through theÌý.

Please note:

  • Payments must be made over the course of three months.
  • There is an additional $45 payment plan fee for each semester.Ìý
  • To initiate the use of a payment plan for an upcoming course, contactÌýLisa WeberÌýfor a specific code to submit with the application.

Financial Aid

While federal financial aid is not available for the Paralegal program, there are private loan opportunities available. Visit the Office of Financial Assistance website for more information.

For additional financial information, including cancellation policies, billing and payments, visit theÌýAdmissions & EnrollmentÌýwebpage.

Windows PC with Microsoft Office 2010 or Later

  • Operating System: Windows 10 (32 bit or 64 bit)
  • Processor: Pentium 4 - 2.8 GHz (or faster)
  • Memory (RAM): 8 GB
  • Office Suite: MS Office 2013 or Office 365ÌýPlease remember that as a student, you have free and full access to Microsoft Office 365, the cloud-based version of the Office Desktop. Your Office 365 username is [youruserid]@villanova.edu.
  • Internet Browser: Firefox (Latest version) or Chrome (Latest version)
  • Internet Service: DSL, Cable, or Satellite

Other Required Components:

  • Headset with microphone
  • Webcam
  • Current version of Flash player
  • Adobe Reader
  • Browser configuration must support Javascript, allow cookies, and popup blockers must be turned off

Students enrolled in the Paralegal Certificate Program can connect with a network of more than 72 law firms and 260+ active alumni. Additionally, the College of Professional Studies (CPS) has cultivated relationships with law firms in the region and has a history of providing competent paralegals to these firms. For this reason, our graduates are routinely recruited and hired. CPS is regularly sent job opportunities by alumni and partners and shares them throughÌý, ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥'s job bank.

In addition to program-specific resources offered through CPS, students enrolled in the Paralegal program have access toÌý¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ Career Management, which includes:

  • Services that assist students with defining academic and career goals and job search planning
  • Access to the ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ job bank: HandShake
  • Resources to help you move forward in your career

is a professional networking platform that allows you to network with ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ns in your industry or city and obtain career advice from fellow alumni.Ìý

FACULTY

THE VILLANOVA DIFFERENCE

The College of Professional Studies has cultivated a distinguished reputation for delivering the hallmark ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ experience — academically rigorous, top-quality and innovative programs within a supportive community —Ìýto students who are pursuing higher education amidst busy professional and personal lives. As an internationally recognized institution, ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ is proud of its vibrant community of alumni, faculty, students and staff who are dedicated to driving meaningful impact and transformative change within their communities.

GET IN TOUCH

Our enrollment counselors are happy to answer any questions you have about our certificate programs.

Call 610-519-4300

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Learn more about financing your professional education and the professional education enrollment terms and conditions

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