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Tom McGuire
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Paralegal Studies
View the BrochureEDP 302687
Designed by paralegals for paralegals and taught by practicing attorneys approved by the University of California, Berkeley, the Paralegal Studies Program offers the skills and knowledge you need to become a practicing paralegal. In just six months, you can fulfill California's education requirements for paralegals and take the next step in your career. Two convenient learning formats enable you to continue working while you complete the program: Proceed at your own pace with an online program that you can begin anytime, or choose the hybrid format that combines classroom and online study. Join our email list to stay informed about this program.
Courses
The table contains the required courses for the Paralegal Studies Program, as well as the terms they are typically available for enrollment.
2 Required Courses, 4 Electives, 8 Semester Units (360 Hours of Instruction)
| Required Courses | Course Number | Unit/ CEU | Classroom | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential Paralegal Studies Part I: Foundational Skills | X418 | 2 | Fall Spring |
Fall Spring Summer |
| Essential Paralegal Studies Part II: Authority, Research and Writing | X419 | 2 | Spring Summer |
Fall Spring Summer |
| Electives | Course Number | Units/ CEU | Classroom | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paralegal Business Law | X404 | 1 | Spring | Fall Spring Summer |
| Paralegal California Procedures | X407 | 1 | Fall Spring Summer |
Fall Spring Summer |
| Paralegal Contract Law | X405 | 1 | Fall | Fall Spring Summer |
| Paralegal Criminal Law | X406 | 1 | Fall | Fall Spring Summer |
| Paralegal Family Law | X410 | 1 | Fall Spring Summer |
|
| Paralegal Intellectual Property Law | X409 | 1 | Fall Spring |
Fall Spring Summer |
| Paralegal Tort Law | X403 | 1 | Fall Spring Summer |
Fall Spring Summer |
Course availability is subject to change. Courses offered in both online and classroom environments are interchangeable, and you may choose either format.
To begin, enroll in Essential Paralegal Studies I: Foundational Skills X418 and one elective of your choice. You can enroll in subsequent courses as they begin (for the hybrid program) or as you are ready to begin them (for the online program). If you are starting with hybrid courses, choose an elective that begins closest to the start date of Essential Paralegal Studies I. Enrollment is limited. Please test-drive the ParaStudent website.
To enroll, click on a course title above and choose a section.
You may enroll in individual courses without registering for the Paralegal Studies Program.
Online or Hybrid Format
UC Berkeley Extension offers this specialized program of study in both online and hybrid (courses that include both classroom and online study) environments. The online format offers the flexibility to take courses on your own schedule from anywhere in the world. The hybrid format combines online coursework with traditional classes, offering networking opportunities with your instructors and peers. Choose the format that works best for your schedule. Find out more about online learning at Extension.
Who Will Benefit
This program is ideal if you are a legal staffer who wishes to qualify for lawful designation as a paralegal or a career changer looking for a profession with strong compensation. It is also appropriate if you are professionally involved in legal matters and want to gain a clearer understanding of the legal process or if you are considering law school and seeking to demonstrate your proficiency in legal procedures on graduate applications.
Prerequisites for Admission
The prerequisites for the Paralegal Studies Program include a high school diploma or equivalent, access to a computer that can connect to the Internet and basic word processing and Web-search skills.
Curriculum Requirements
The curriculum for both hybrid and online programs comprises 2 required courses and 4 electives for a total of 8 semester units (360 hours of instruction).
All coursework must be completed within one year of registering for the program. However, requirements may be updated based on new developments in the field of study; we recommend completing the curriculum in a timely fashion. For more information, please see the completion requirements and the substitutions, waivers and transfer credit policies.
How to Register for This Specialized Program of Study
By registering, you declare your intention to complete the curriculum. To register for the Paralegal Studies Program, submit the online registration form with your credit card information or complete the mail-in registration form. The registration fee is nonrefundable.
Estimated Cost
Hybrid Program
Each course is priced individually, and you pay the course fee at the time of enrollment. The program has an estimated total cost of $6,280 (not including course materials or registration fee). Course fees are subject to change.
Online Program
Each course is priced individually, and you pay the course fee at the time of enrollment. The program has an estimated total cost of $7,000 (not including course materials or registration fee). Course fees are subject to change.
Contact Information
Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions. To contact the department office, email business@unex.berkeley.edu or call (510) 642-4231.
Additional Information
The hybrid (classroom-based with an online component) program provides access to the ParaStudent website with extensive resources such as customized texts; hands-on workbooks; a toll-free support line; LexisNexis; Westlaw; and online study tools, including practice exercise questions, lecture notes, quizzes, mock exams, and research and writing labs. Test-drive the ParaStudent website to experience the unparalleled support that UC Berkeley Extension's Paralegal Studies Program provides.
Our online program follows the same requirements for completion as the hybrid program, with the added benefit of allowing you to begin and proceed at your own pace. The dynamic educational experience provides a wealth of online study support, including exercises, lecture notes, perspectives, mock exams, and research and writing labs. The result is a course merging the interactive, user-driven aspects of the Internet with the same information that would be obtained in a traditional, instructor-guided classroom setting. Online exams act as benchmarks, and you are only able to proceed through the program once an exam is passed. In addition, you will be required to take a comprehensive final written exam. You may enroll at any time in our online paralegal courses.
Please purchase the materials for the hybrid paralegal program from books.ucberkeleyparalegal.com. For the online paralegal program, please visit onlinebooks.ucberkeleyparalegal.com to purchase your materials.
You can complete the Paralegal Studies Program in six months with the hybrid format, allowing you to work full time while attending classes two days per week, or you can opt for the online program and complete your studies in six months from anywhere at your own computer.
Statement of Regulatory Compliance
The UC Berkeley Extension online and hybrid Paralegal Studies Program is in compliance with California Business and Professions Code 6450 through 6456 regulatory standards for paralegal education.
