• According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 4% from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

• The median annual wage for paralegals and legal assistants was $60,970 in May 2023.

• About 38,000 openings for paralegals and legal assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Paralegals play a vital role in the legal profession. These qualified professionals take on a variety of tasks ranging from legal research to drafting legal documents in traditional law office settings and in the corporate, government, and public arenas. Formal training is a critical part of preparing for a career as a paralegal.

The Paralegal course will help you gain the skills you need to enter the paralegal workforce. You will learn how to conduct legal research and legal interviews, how to perform legal analyses, and more. As you prepare for your paralegal career, you will also receive soft skills training to increase workplace effectiveness. The course concludes with a capstone project. You will first create a complete litigation file that includes: a legal analysis brief, an investigative report, client interview checklist, intake memo, complaint, legal research, and interoffice memorandum of law. Then, you will learn how to create a strong resume that encompasses your specialized skill set and showcases the impact you would make for your next employer.

Through a partnership with the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), you will also receive membership and access to NALA's Certified Paralegal (CP) Exam Review courses should you choose to take the NALA CP exam.

This course offers enrollment with or without a voucher. The voucher is prepaid access to sit for the Certified Paralegal exam through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) upon eligibility. Proctor fees may apply, which are not included.

What you will learn

• Learn the fundamentals of the U.S. legal system

• Master how to perform legal research and interviews

• Prepare yourself to take the Certified Paralegal certification exam through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)

• Understand the basics of litigation communication skills

• Soft skills for workplace effectiveness

• Learn necessary skills required to thrive within the legal industry

• Learn legal research skills with access to Westlaw

How you will benefit

• Jump-start your career as a paralegal

• Receive a membership to the National Association of Legal Assistants and access to NALA's Certified Paralegal Exam Review and Practice Exam

• Prepare a professional resume and portfolio that demonstrates your knowledge

Does this course prepare for a certification?

• Yes, you will be prepared to sit for the Certified Paralegal exam through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and receive an exam voucher after successful completion of the course and financial obligation. Proctor fees may apply, which are not included.

When can I start the course?

• This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

How long does it take to complete this course?

• This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive twelve (12) months to complete the course.

What if I don't have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?

• The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

What kind of support will I receive?

• Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

What happens when I complete the course?

• Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

Am I guaranteed a job?

• This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

Can I get financial assistance?

• This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.

How can I get more information about this course?

• If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.

What are the certification exam requirements?

• NALA Certification Eligibility Requirements

You must meet one of the following requirements outlined in Categories 1, 2, or 3 at the time of filing an application form to be eligible for the CP certification exam through NALA.

1. Graduation from or completion of a paralegal program:

(a) approved by the American Bar Association; or

(b) an associate degree program; or

(c) a post-baccalaureate certificate program in paralegal studies; or

(In addition to the official school transcript, a candidate must submit an original course catalog or an original letter from the school registrar or program director attesting that the program is a post-baccalaureate certificate program requiring a bachelor's degree as a prerequisite.)

(d) a bachelor's degree program in paralegal studies; or

(e) a paralegal program that consists of a minimum of 60 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) of which at least 15 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) are substantive legal courses.

(Candidates applying under Category 1(e) may combine college hours from more than one institution. The candidate must have graduated from a paralegal program consisting of a minimum of 15 semester hours (or 225 clock hours or 22.5 quarter hours.) Evidence of the minimum hours required under Category 1(e) must be provided with the application form.) *

Note: This course is currently worth 225 clock hours, which is equivalent to 15 semester hours of substantive legal courses. For Category 1 of eligibility, students who have previously completed 45 semester hours could then take our program to end up with a total of 60 semester hours. If a student does not have 45 semester hours to pair with our program, they would have to meet eligibility with Category 2 or 3.

2. A bachelor's degree in any field plus one year of experience as a paralegal or successful completion of at least 15 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) of substantive paralegal courses.

(Those applying under the provision allowing for additional course work in lieu of the one-year work experience must submit an official school transcript showing completed course work.)

3. A high school diploma or equivalent, plus five (5) years of experience as a paralegal plus a minimum of twenty (20) hours of substantive continuing legal education completed within the two-year period prior to application for the examination. Evidence of substantive continuing legal education credit is documented by the supervising attorney/employer attestation that must be signed as part of the application form or by submitting certificates of completions for CLE taken. No further documentation is required.

(Candidates applying under Category 3 may combine on-the-job experience from more than one employer, as applicable. Evidence of continuing legal education credit is documented by the attorney/employer attestation that must be signed as part of the application form or by submitting certificate of completions of CLE taken. No further documentation is required.)

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to take this course. However, you will need a high school diploma or GED equivalent to start a career as a paralegal. It is also recommended that you have basic computer skills, including proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite and fundamental keyboarding skills. A strong grasp of English grammar conventions, such as spelling, punctuation, and composition, is also recommended.

To meet the eligibility requirements to sit for the NALA Certified Paralegal exam, you must meet one of the following requirements: You must have 60 semester hours, of which at least 15 hours* (225 clock hours) are from paralegal studies or hold an associate's degree in paralegal studies, or a bachelor's degree in any field, or have seven years of experience as a legal assistant under the supervision of a member of the Bar. Please review the exam requirements before enrolling in this course.

*Note: (15 semester hours = 225 clock hours) - This course is 225 hours and can be combined with 45 semester hours to meet the 60 semester hours required in option 1(e). If you do not have 45 semester hours, you will need to meet eligibility with category 2 or 3)

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 10 or later.

• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.

• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.

• Microsoft Word Online

• Adobe Acrobat Reader

• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:

• Introduction to Paralegalism

• Paralegal Today: The Legal Team at Work

• Access to Westlaw: Legal Solutions

• After successful completion of the course and financial obligation you will receive access to the Certified Paralegal Exam review self-study courses, which includes:

  • Membership

  • Access to the self-study courses

Please note: You will receive a digital book if the physical book is on backorder.

Certification Requirements:

If you plan to pursue the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Certified Paralegal (CP) credential, you must meet one of the NALA Certification Eligibility Requirements. We recommend determining eligibility before enrolling in this course. If you do not meet the eligibility requirements, this Legal Secretary course will prepare you for an entry-level legal career that can build up to the paralegal role.

NALA Certification Eligibility Requirements

You must meet one of the following requirements outlined in Categories 1, 2, or 3 at the time of filing an application form to be eligible for the CP certification exam through NALA.

1. Graduation from or completion of a paralegal program:

• (a) approved by the American Bar Association; or

• (b) an associate degree program in paralegal studies; or

• (c) a post-baccalaureate certificate program in paralegal studies; or

• (In addition to the official school transcript, a candidate must submit an original course catalog or an original letter from the school registrar or program director attesting that the program is a post-baccalaureate certificate program requiring a bachelor's degree as a prerequisite.)

• (d) a bachelor's degree program in paralegal studies; or

• (e) a paralegal program that consists of a minimum of 60 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) of which at least 15 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) are substantive legal courses.

(Candidates applying under Category 1(e) may combine college hours from more than one institution. The candidate must have graduated from a paralegal program consisting of a minimum of 15 semester hours (or 225 clock hours or 22.5 quarter hours.) Evidence of the minimum hours required under Category 1(e) must be provided with the application form.)

2. A bachelor's degree in any field plus one year of experience as a paralegal or successful completion of at least 15 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) of substantive paralegal courses.

(Those applying under the provision allowing for additional course work in lieu of the one-year work experience must submit an official school transcript showing completed course work.)

3. A high school diploma or equivalent, plus five (5) years of experience as a paralegal plus a minimum of twenty (20) hours of substantive continuing legal education completed within the two-year period prior to application for the examination. Evidence of substantive continuing legal education credit is documented by the supervising attorney/employer attestation that must be signed as part of the application form or by submitting certificates of completions for CLE taken. No further documentation is required.

(Candidates applying under Category 3 may combine on-the-job experience from more than one employer, as applicable. Evidence of continuing legal education credit is documented by the attorney/employer attestation that must be signed as part of the application form or by submitting certificate of completions of CLE taken. No further documentation is required.)

1. The Paralegal in the Legal System

2. Paralegal Employment

3. On-the-Job Realities and Soft Skills

4. Regulations of Paralegals

5. Attorney and Paralegal Ethics

6. Introduction to the Legal System

7. Introduction to Legal Analysis

8. Legal Interviewing

9. Investigation in a Law Office

10. Litigation Case Management

11. Legal Research 101 and Advanced Legal Research

12. Legal Writing

13. Introduction to the Use of Computers

14. Introduction to Law Office Administration

15. Tort Law, Product Liability, and Consumer Law

16. Contracts, Insurance, and Property Law

17. Estates and Family Law

18. Laws Affecting Business

19. Criminal Law

20. NALA Certified Paralegal Exam Preparation

21. Capstone