Faith-Based Paralegal Certificate Programs (2027)

The Paralegal Certificate from the University of San Diego School of Law in San Diego, California is 24 semester units: four core courses (introduction to law, legal research and writing, computers in the legal field, and civil litigation) and four electives drawn from courses such as business entities, contracts, intellectual property, family law, real estate, administrative law, employment and labor law, estates, wills and trusts, criminal law, and an internship. Both the day and evening programs meet as synchronous online classes. The intensive day program covers all 24 units in one four-month term, the extended day program takes 12 core units in the first term and 12 elective units in the second, and the evening program takes three terms, just under a year. USD does not accept transfer of paralegal credits from other institutions.

The day program requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited postsecondary institution, with no exceptions, while the evening program accepts a bachelor's degree or an associate of arts or science degree. Applicants submit a personal statement of at least 200 words, a resume, official transcripts and two professional or academic recommendations, and applicants educated outside the United States need a TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo score. The program is open to domestic students who live in a state where USD is authorized to enroll students, and cohorts may fill before the application deadline. Federal student loans are available only to students who have completed a bachelor's degree.

Both formats cover the same 15 courses: Introduction to the Paralegal Profession and Principles, Legal Research, Legal Writing, Civil Procedure and Litigation, Business Organizations, Contract Law, Paralegal Office Coordination, Family Law, Estates and Trusts, Torts and Personal Injury Law, Criminal Law, Intellectual Property Law, Real Estate Law, Employment Law and Ethics. The full-time day program runs for one semester on campus, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm, with cohorts starting in August and January. The part-time program is 100% online with live, instructor-led classes on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 pm ET plus asynchronous work, taken in blocks of three courses, with cohorts starting in January, May and August. Courses are taught by experienced attorneys and paralegals.

To earn the certificate, students need a C or higher in every class, must complete a program exit exam and submit a portfolio of class assignments, and they also receive a digital badge. Applicants send transcripts, a career-goals essay and a resume, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The part-time online cohort requires a bachelor's degree, while the full-time day cohort also accepts applicants with an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science. Federal financial aid is not available for the program, though payment plans and private loans are.

Students earn the certificate by completing ten courses: five required core courses (Introduction to the Legal System and Paralegalism, Professional Responsibility and Paralegal Practice, Technology in the Law Office, Legal Research Methods, and Legal Writing and Case Analysis I) and five electives from a list that includes Civil Litigation, E-Discovery, Estates, Wills and Trusts, Domestic Law, Real Estate Law, Criminal Law, Torts/Personal Injury, Immigration Law, Intellectual Property and an internship. All classes are online: they meet live over Zoom as the primary mode of instruction, with some asynchronous work hosted on Canvas, and the introductory course includes coverage of Pennsylvania practice.

Applicants need at least an associate degree or 60 college credit hours (provisional admission is possible with legal experience) and submit a letter of interest and transcripts and interview with the program director. The full-time Summer Daytime Intensive covers all ten courses in 11 weeks, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., while the part-time evening program meets Monday through Thursday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., with students taking one to four classes per term and finishing in 12 to 18 months. Students can start in any of four terms (fall, winter, spring or summer). As a non-credit program, it is not eligible for federal financial aid.