Earn Your ABA-Approved

Paralegal Certificate or Degree

ABA-Approved Paralegal Certificate

Center for Advanced Legal Studies is a nationally accredited and ABA-Approved paralegal college that has specialized exclusively in paralegal education and training since 1987.

The Paralegal Certificate Program is designed to complement a students prior education and experience with the knowledge and skills required to work as a paralegal. In fact, Center for Advanced Legal Studies confers more paralegal degrees and certificates than any other college in the nation.1

ABA-Approved Paralegal Degree

Looking to earn your first college degree? The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal Studies provides a more comprehensive preparation for a paralegal career and a direct pathway to the Bachelor of Law and Business Degree.

What is the Role of Paralegals?

Paralegals and legal assistants do a variety of tasks to support lawyers, including maintaining and organizing files, interviewing clients and witnesses, conducting legal research, and drafting legal documents. Paralegals and legal assistants are found in all types of organizations, but most work for law firms, corporate legal departments, or government agencies.

Online Paralegal Students

  • Attend live class from their home or office computer
  • Can attend live class via smartphone or tablet (desktop or laptop preferred)
  • Can see and hear their instructors and classmates in real-time
  • Can view presentations, legal documents, and applications
  • All class sessions are recorded for review
  • Can complete the Certificate (30 semester hours) in 10 months!
  • Can complete the AAS Degree (60 semester hours) in 20 months!

Paralegal Certificate Curriculum

Required Paralegal Specialty Courses
(24 Semester Credit Hours)
Introduction to Law and Ethics Interviewing and Investigation
Legal Research and Writing Corporate and Business Law
Civil Procedure Computers and the Law
Criminal Law and Procedure Contracts
Elective Paralegal Specialty Courses
Select 2 (6 Semester Credit Hours)
Personal Injury Family Law
Intellectual Property Real Estate

AAS Degree Curriculum

Required Paralegal Specialty Courses Required General Education Courses
24 Semester Credit Hours 21 Semester Credit Hours
Introduction to Law and Ethics English Composition I
Interviewing and Investigation English Composition II
Legal Research and Writing General Psychology
Civil Procedure American Government I
Personal Injury Introduction to Speech Communication
Corporate and Business Law Anatomy & Physiology I
Family Law Contemporary Math
Computers and the Law
Elective Paralegal Specialty Courses | Select 5
15 Semester Credit Hours
Criminal Law and Procedure Oil and Gas Law
Wills, Trusts and Probate E-Discovery
Intellectual Property Advanced Civil Procedure
Real Estate Advanced Research and Writing
Immigration Law Externship
Contracts Certification Exam Preparation
Elective Paralegal Specialty Courses
Select 2 (6 Semester Credit Hours)
Personal Injury Family Law
Intellectual Property Real Estate
Paralegal Program Important Dates
Application Deadline: August 28
Enrollment Deadline: September 11
Classes Begin: September 21

1U.S. Department of Education. Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ (March 24, 2025). Eastern Gateway Community College reported more completers but closed on October 31, 2024.

Get More Information

parelegal.edu logo

Center for Advanced Legal Studies
800 W Sam Houston Pkwy S, Suite 100Houston, TX 77042-1912
Call or Text: (713) 529-2778 | Toll Free: 1-800-446-6931

© 2025 Center for Advanced Legal Studies | TEXT US! (713) 529-2778 | Privacy Policies