Paralegal Studies (Online)

In the U.S. legal system, lawyers may get the lion’s share of the glory, but behind every great lawyer are skilled, dynamic paralegals doing important work. Paralegals organize, analyze, and summarize the vast amounts of information that attorneys need to do their jobs. They’re needed in every corner of the legal field, working in areas as diverse as:

• Court hearings
• Trials 
• Corporate meetings
• Settlement negotiations
• Closings

Paralegals can specialize in a specific field — for example, a criminal justice paralegal will have a different focus than a paralegal in immigration law — but they all share a few things in common. They have to understand the law, legal ethics, and the applications of both as well as any attorney. They also have to master the organizational systems and new technologies that legal offices need to stay competitive. 

Monroe’s Paralegal Certificate program will prepare you for all of it. Our experienced faculty, themselves professionals in the legal field, will give you the tools you need to build a rewarding career with tremendous opportunities for advancement. 

You can now earn your Paralegal Certificate online, meaning you can do it all from the comfort of your own home. With Monroe’s convenient online classes, you’ll work at a pace that fits your busy life — so nothing has to stand between you and your future.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that jobs for paralegals and legal assistants will grow by an incredible 14% by 2031. That’s nearly three times the national average for all occupations. 

That means that there could be more than 45,800 openings every year and 49,900 new jobs created by the end of the decade. Furthermore, the majority of those jobs are right here in the New York City metro area — a higher percentage than anywhere else in the country. 

Location is one of the things that makes Monroe’s School of Criminal and Social Justice an ideal place to earn your Paralegal Certificate, online or on campus. You will be gaining access to a rapidly-growing field, in the city where it’s growing the most.

With some exceptions, applicants to the Paralegal Certificate program must have earned either:

• An associate degree, or
• A minimum of 60 college credits. 

Applicants who have completed five (5) years of law-related work experience in a law office, government agency, court, or corporation may be eligible to waive the above academic requirements. 

All candidates for Monroe’s Paralegal Studies program must have at least a high school diploma or GED. They must also submit a completed application for admission as well as a personal statement or essay, and they must participate in a pre-admission interview.

Learn more about how to apply to Monroe University.

How Much is a Paralegal Certificate Program?  

At Monroe, we believe everyone deserves the education they need to advance their career. That’s why we not only offer affordable tuition and fees and manageable payment plans, but our financial aid counselors will help you to secure every scholarship, grant, and loan for which you’re eligible. 

If you’re employed by one of Monroe’s more than 400 corporate partners, you may also qualify to receive a Corporate Partnership Grant that covers up to 20% of your tuition. 

Learn more about financial aid opportunities.

Where do paralegals work? While the vast majority of trained paralegals find employment in law firms, many large corporations rely heavily on their in-house legal departments, which include paralegal staff: 

• Financial organizations
• Insurance firms
• Consulting firms
• Healthcare providers

Monroe’s paralegal training program can also open the door to a number of different career opportunities in the private sector. Paralegal Studies careers include: 

• Legal administrative assistant
• Legislative analyst
• Compliance officer
• Investigator

A significant number of paralegals also work in federal, state, and local governments in different capacities. Paralegal Studies jobs in the public sector include: 

• Court clerk
• Parole officer
• Probation officer
• Trial court coordinator 

As you pursue your paralegal training, you’ll get a stronger sense of where you want to take your career. 

Monroe has established partnerships with more than 400 corporations, law practices, and government and civic organizations throughout the NYC metro area. In addition to making our Corporate Partnership Grants possible, these relationships allow us to provide Paralegal Certificate students with valuable professional experience. 

Our partner organizations help us to pair students with enriching internship opportunities in the legal field, as well as to facilitate job placement after students complete the Paralegal Certificate.

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