Certificate in Paralegal Studies

Program Announcement

Please be advised that this program will be discontinued. Summer 2026 is the last term in which new students may apply.

Currently enrolled students are not impacted by the change, and we will work with students individually to ensure that they meet their degree requirements and graduate.

Additional details about changes to our academic programs can be found here.

While lawyers assume ultimate responsibility for legal cases, they often delegate many of their tasks to paralegals. In fact, paralegals — also called legal assistants — are assuming a growing range of tasks in legal offices.

The Certificate in Applied Studies (CAS) in Paralegal Studies provides a credential for professionals changing careers into paralegal studies or for those preparing to apply to law schools. The CAS in Paralegal Studies requires 18 semester hours split into 12 hours of required courses and 6 hours of elective coursework.

The CAS is a post-bachelor’s credential that demonstrates your commitment to continuing education and learning, especially for existing paralegals seeking to advance in the field. Earning the CAS credential also helps prepare you for entering into the legal sector, either as a result of changing jobs or of entering law school.

Students in our CAS program get a feel for law as a general subject and gain valuable research and writing skills along with a foundation in the judicial system, litigation and Constitutional law.

Certificate Requirements

Undergraduate Certificate Admissions

CAS-PS Program of Study

An earned bachelor’s degree is prerequisite to enrollment in this certificate program.

Total: 18 semester hours 

Core Courses

12 semester hours

Elective

6 semester hours from LA and LAW courses.