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certificate

Paralegal Studies

Approved by the American Bar Association, the Paralegal Studies Certificate prepares students for a career as a professional paralegal in a law firm, businesses, government, or nonprofit organization. The program fulfills educational requirements to work as a paralegal in California and is taught by UCLA School of Law-approved instructors. Available Format: Live Online.

SEE COURSES IN THIS PROGRAM

This program is perfect for...

Individuals looking for ABA-approved, nationally recognized training to become a paralegal
Pre-law and post-baccalaureate students considering law school
Legal professionals working in other capacities who are interested in expanding their employment prospects in an existing legal career
Paralegals who wish to expand and update their knowledge of other legal practice areas

What you can learn.

Gain an overview of the paralegal profession as well as the responsibilities and opportunities for paralegals in various practice areas
Analyze governing principles of law in the areas of contracts, torts, criminal law, real property, business organizations, and securities law
Understand stages of civil procedure, from pleadings and discovery through preparing for and presenting evidence at trial
Learn how to conduct legal research, analysis, draft legal documents, and utilize legal technology

ABA-approved program for 45 years. Our program was one of the first to be approved by the American Bar Association as meeting high standards in faculty selection, academics, resources, curriculum, programming, administration, and student services.

Spring 2025 Application Deadline - February 11

Become a paralegal in under a year

For over four decades, UCLA Extension’s Paralegal Training Program has been setting students up for success. Recognized by employers throughout Los Angeles and beyond, our program equips students with a thorough understanding of the functions and ethics needed in this ever-growing profession. Our program qualifies graduates to hold themselves as paralegals under the California Business & Professions Code §6450. It has been designed specifically to prepare students to perform and adapt successfully in an ever-changing legal environment.

Financial Aid is Available
The Paralegal Training Program is approved for Federal Financial Aid. For more information, see Financial Aid Eligibility and FAQs.

UCLA School of Law
Program curriculum is developed in cooperation with the UCLA School of Law, with input from our Advisory Committee of industry experts. Instructors are also vetted and approved by the UCLA School of Law and include attorneys, judges, paralegals, and other legal professionals, selected from a broad spectrum of the legal community. Some are also graduates of the program themselves, who have gone on to careers as practicing attorneys or judges. Our diverse instructor base delivers a unique and relevant perspective on the legal field.

Choose the Program That Works for You
Already mid-career, or have a busy schedule? No problem! There's no need to put your life on hold to switch careers, or expand your career options.

5-Month Daytime Program
Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

This 5-month program offers a more traditional class schedule, designed for those who work nights or have other obligations, but have the mornings available for study.

11-Month Evening Program
2 evenings a week, from 6:30-10 p.m.

This 11-month program is designed to meet the busy schedules of working professionals.

Live Online Instruction

The 5- and 11-month programs are both offered live online which means all class meetings are scheduled and held in real-time using Zoom, allowing for live interaction with your classmates and instructors.

Note: Program offerings, including times and locations, may vary by quarter.

Our program is ABA-approved. Pursuant to ABA Guidelines, students must take at least nine-semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction. Our Paralegal Training Program (LAW X 406), meets this requirement.

Please Note: Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.

Learn More

Online Information Session

Join us for a live webcast to learn more about paralegal career paths, industry requirements and the benefits of our program. Hear directly from a program graduate, instructor, and a member of the Los Angeles Paralegal Association.

Saturday, January 18, 10am - 12pm PT

Reserve Your Spot

Program Goals and Objectives

The goals of the Paralegal Training Program are to prepare students to:

Function as ethical, effective, and efficient professional paralegals in law firms, businesses, government, and nonprofit organizations
Perform a wide variety of legal work under the supervision of attorneys
Adapt easily to the changing role of the paralegal and to the changing needs of the legal community

The objectives of the Paralegal Training Program are to:

Provide candidates with high quality-ABA approved instruction with an emphasis on substantive and procedural law, legal analysis, and practical paralegal skills from a variety of legal professionals including judges, attorneys, and paralegals
Develop in candidates a practical understanding of the role, function, and ethical responsibilities of paralegals in various legal environments
Provide candidates and graduates with guidance and tools for successful career planning and professional development in the legal profession

Program Format and Options

Live Online Instruction
The 5- and 11-month programs are both offered live online which means all class meetings are scheduled and held in real-time using Zoom, allowing for live interaction with your classmates and instructors.

5-Month Daytime Program
Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. PT

11-Month Evening Program
2 evenings a week, from 6:30-10 p.m. PT

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must possess the following to be eligible for the program:

A baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university
OR
An associate degree
OR
60 semester or 90 quarter units (or hours) earned from a regionally accredited college or university.
Note: At least 18 semester or 27 quarter units (or hours) must be considered general educational courses as defined by the ABA in at least three different disciplines. General education courses defined by the ABA include college-level courses that provide students with critical reasoning and writing skills such as social and behavioral science, English composition and literature, foreign language, mathematics, humanities, and natural science. Courses designed to develop professional, vocational, and technical skills are not considered general education.

Transfer Credit

The Paralegal Training Program does not accept transfer credits of legal specialty course work completed at other institutions or award legal specialty credit by examination or portfolio review.

I started shopping around, and it didn't take long to realize that UCLA Extension's program was the best in Southern California. I was able to go through the five-month program and get to work right away!

Lauren Ruitberg

Paralegal Certificate Graduate

Upcoming Program Dates and Deadlines

Application Required Prior to Enrolling
Candidates must apply and be accepted into the program before enrolling in the required course.

Winter 2025

5-Month Program (Daytime)
Location: Live Online
Days & Time: Mon-Fri, 9am-12:30pm PT
Program Dates: Jan 22-June 20, 2025
Application Deadline: Nov 12, 2024
Financial Aid Deadline: Nov 28, 2024

11-Month Program (Evening)
Location: Live Online
Days & Time: Tue & Thur, 6:30-10pm PT
Program Dates: Jan 23-Dec 9, 2025
Application Deadline: Nov 12, 2024
Financial Aid Deadline: Nov 28, 2024

Spring 2025

5-Month Program (Daytime)
Location: Live Online
Days & Time: Mon-Fri, 9am-12:30pm PT
Program Dates: April 9-Sept 9, 2025
Application Deadline: February 11, 2025
Financial Aid Deadline: March 13, 2025

11-Month Program (Evening)
Location: Live Online
Days & Time: Tue & Thu, 6:30-10pm PT
Program Dates: April 10, 2025-March 12, 2026
Application Deadline: February 11, 2025
Financial Aid Deadline: March 13, 2025

Select Your Application.

Paralegal Studies Certificate

Baccalaureate (BA or BS) or higher degree required.

Apply Now

Paralegal Studies (Undergraduate) Certificate

Associate degree (AA) or 60 semester / 90 quarters units
(equivalent to 2 years) required.

Apply Now

Courses

Click below to view the required and elective courses, if applicable, for this program.

Required (1)

Required Course

Paralegal Training Program

LAW X 406

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

This program is a total of 36 quarter units. Estimated tuition per credit hour is $222.08.

Estimated Cost Breakdown

All courses in this program are paid for individually, unless otherwise noted. An application form is required to establish candidacy in this program. From the 'Apply Now' button, complete the online application and pay the application fee if applicable.

Application & Candidacy Fee

N/A

Estimated Program Tuition

7995.00

Estimated program textbook/materials

1750.00

Apply Now

*The Application & Candidacy Fee establishes your candidacy in the program for a period of time covering normal progress toward completion and may allow you to access a variety of program benefits.

Internships
Available

Approved for
International Visa

VA Benefit
Eligible

Federal
Financial Aid

**Federal Financial Aid Gainful Employment Disclosures

The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges and universities to disclose certain information for any financial aid eligible program that, “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation”. This information includes program costs; occupations that the program prepares students to enter; occupational profiles; on time completion rate; and for the most recent award year: the number of students who have completed the program, the number of students who complete the program within the estimated duration, the job placement rate, and the median Title IV and private loan debt incurred by those who complete the program. For gainful employment information for this program, visit our Financial Aid page.

Internship Opportunities

An internship in paralegal training can provide you with practical experience in a variety of paralegal job functions. This course is restricted to students and graduates of the Paralegal Training Program.

Learn More

two business professionals in suits referring to an open law book

Study with a nationally recognized program.

Recognized by employers throughout Los Angeles and beyond, our Paralegal Studies program equips students with a thorough understanding of the functions and ethics needed in this ever-growing profession to launch their career.

Download our brochure, or contact us for more information.

Download Brochure