Paralegal Courses in Your Training Program
Learn about the curriculum of a typical paralegal training program.
Paralegal training programs offer different combinations of paralegal courses.
Paralegal certificate programs are designed for students who already have a college degree and focus on legal courses, whereas associate's degree programs consist of about half paralegal courses and half general education courses.
According to the American Bar Association (ABA), a paralegal training program should consist of the following:
- At least 60 hours of classroom work
- A minimum of 18 of which should concentrate on paralegal courses
- The course of study must include general education courses
- ABA-approved paralegal training programs must provide students access to an adequate legal library
- They must offer counseling and placement assistance
- Programs must have qualified instructors advised by a committee of attorneys and paralegals from the public and private sectors
Associate's Degree Courses
Paralegal training includes associate's degree programs, which are still the most common form of paralegal education. These programs typically require 60 to 80 hours of coursework, half of which consists of paralegal courses; the rest are general education courses. An associate's degree in paralegal studies normally takes two years to complete.
Here is an example of paralegal coursework in a 2-year associate's degree consisting of 60 hours of coursework:
Paralegal Course Title Course Credits Rules of Civil Procedure 3.0 credit hours Legal Research and Writing 3.0 credit hours Criminal Law and Procedures 3.0 credit hours Contracts 3.0 credit hours Wills, Trusts and Estates 3.0 credit hours Civil Litigation and Tort Law 3.0 credit hours Family Law and Ethics 3.0 credit hours Business Entities and Bankruptcy 3.0 credit hours Real Property 3.0 credit hours
A graduate of this paralegal training program would also be required to complete 36 hours of general education in science, business and computers, communications, English and math. Provided that the program faculty and other resources are adequate, this paralegal program complies with ABA approval guidelines.
Certificate Program Paralegal Courses
Paralegal certificate programs provide fast-track entry into the paralegal field and are particularly suitable for people who already have a degree in another field. These programs can last anywhere from three to 24 months, but most programs take between eight and 12 months to complete while studying part time.
Here is an example of a paralegal training in a 12-month certificate program consisting of 25 hours of paralegal coursework:
Paralegal Course Title Course Credits American Jurisprudence 1.0 credit hour Torts and Personal Injury 2.0 credit hours Civil Litigation 2.0 credit hours Family Law 2.0 credit hours Real Estate Law 2.0 credit hours Business Law 2.0 credit hours Legal Research and Writing 5.0 credit hours Alternative Dispute Resolution 2.0 credit hours Ethics 1.0 credit hour
Certificate programs may also offer elective paralegal courses in specialty areas such as intellectual property, immigration, criminal or administrative law that may be taken in addition to, or in lieu of, the core curriculum.
They may also provide preparation courses for one of the paralegal certification exams, such as the Certified Legal Assistant or Certified Paralegal certification (CLA/CP).
Paralegal USA
Learn about being a paralegal across the U.S., from New York to California, and Minnesota to Florida.
Knowing where you want to practice can help you make the most of your paralegal training and certification.
Where Do You Want to Be a Paralegal?