Certificate in Paralegal Studies
A Paralegal Certificate is a widely recognized credential for individuals who are seeking work in law firms, courts, corporate legal departments, and other settings where law-related work is done.
Students seeking a certificate in paralegal studies must complete 30 credit hours with at least 9 credits of synchronous courses. Students must be degree-seeking students or already have a bachelor's degree to receive the certificate. For degree-seeking students, the certificate will be awarded at the same time the degree is awarded. All undergraduate certificates have received Higher Learning Commission approval, and students are eligible for financial aid because they are seeking a degree. Students who have completed a bachelor’s degree at another institution with an overall GPA of 2.7 or higher may earn this certificate by completing the course requirements listed below. A maximum of six credits can be transferred from another institution. In addition, at least ten credits of legal specialty courses must be taken through traditional classroom instruction. The certificate in paralegal studies is approved by the American Bar Association.
Graduates from Legal Studies programs can play an important role in the delivery of legal services, but they are not permitted to practice law. To practice law, graduates must obtain a law school degree and satisfy other state requirements for admission to the bar.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants (from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.)
Would you like to have a conversation about this certificate?
Please schedule an appointment with Joshua Sheffer, J.D.
Key People
- Program Coordinator Joshua Sheffer, J.D.
- Academic Advisor: CECI Undergraduate Advising Center
- Career Center: Dayna Phillips
- University Library Liaison: https://www.gvsu.edu/library/
- Internship Coordinator: Laura Marsh
Occupational outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 15 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Formally trained paralegals with strong computer and database management skills should have the best job prospects." The 2017 median pay was $50,410 per year. See the BLS Occupational Outlook Paralegals and Legal Assistants