Paralegal Studies
- Certificate
- Hybrid
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.
Our 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 in a hybrid formant. With our convenient hybrid classes, you’ll work at a pace that fits your busy life — so nothing has to stand between you and your future.
Why a Paralegal Certificate?
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 our School of Criminal and Social Justice an ideal place to earn your Paralegal Certificate. You will be gaining access to a rapidly-growing field, in the city where it’s growing the most.
Curriculum
While paralegals work under the supervision of an attorney, they also need to be able to take the initiative when helping prepare for a case. They have to understand complex legal language and concepts to the same extent as the attorneys they work with.
That’s why we draw our Paralegal Studies faculty from a pool of skilled and experienced legal professionals who know how to articulate complicated ideas in clear, practical terms. Your Paralegal Studies courses will cover:
- Criminal law
- Criminal procedures and practice
- Business law
- Personal injury law
- Immigration law
- Estate planning
- Real estate law
- Family law
And as you master the conceptual foundations of the law, you’ll also get skills-based paralegal training in:
- Legal case management
- Legal research
- Ethical rules of the legal professions
- Legal writing skills
- Client intake
- Legal record management
By the time you complete your Paralegal hybrid courses, you’ll be able to draft legal documents for review. You’ll know how to communicate clearly and effectively, and implement everything you’ve learned.
You’ll be ready to excel in your career.
How Long Does It Take to Complete a Certificate in Paralegal Studies?
The Paralegal Certificate is a 36-credit program. You can complete it in just three (3) semesters: that’s just one (1) year of full-time study on our three-semester academic calendar. Students may also apply up to six (6) transfer or prior learning credits related to paralegal studies toward their certificate requirements.
Prior learning credits are determined by the relevance, substance, and extent of each student’s practical work experience. You won’t have to figure it out on your own, either: our dedicated support team will help you to compile a prior learning portfolio by assessing your history of:
- Work experience
- Volunteer work
- Training programs or in-service courses
- Military service
- Community activities
- Independent reading and study
Students wishing to apply prior learning credits to our Paralegal course must also 1) participate in an interview and 2) provide letters of recommendation from current and former employers.
Learn more about the requirements for a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
Fundamentals of Criminal Trial Practice
Paralegals are indispensable to the trial process. To lay out a compelling case, both prosecutors and defense attorneys rely on witness statements, police reports, medical records, and more; that means they rely on paralegals to keep them prepared. In this course, students will examine every phase of the trial process, including pre-trial motions, opening statements, direct examination, cross examination, and closing statements. Through mock trial presentations and proceedings, students will get to see how their valuable work makes an impact on the criminal justice system.
Admission Requirements
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 our 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.
Tuition and Financial Aid
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 our more than 400 corporate partners, you may also qualify to receive a Corporate Partnership Grant that covers up to 20% of your tuition.
Your Future Paralegal Career
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
Our 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.
Professional Opportunities
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.
Discover What You Can Achieve
Hybrid Courses. Real-World Success.
Earning your Paralegal Certificate at Monroe gets you more than a credential. We’ll help you train for your career and then do everything we can to help you find a place to put your skills to use.
Move your life forward in a career that’s moving forward — and shows no signs of stopping.
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