Certificate Program in Paralegal Studies

Summer Bosse
is a student at University of San Diego School of Law.

Graduate, Certificate Program in Paralegal Studies
Read Summer Bosse's Story.

Getting Started

Start with Essential Paralegal Studies I: Foundational Skills LAW X418 .

Online Availability

This certificate is available only online.

Duration of Study

3 required courses and 3 electives for a total of 8 semester units (360 hours of instruction). You can complete the curriculum in 6 months to 18months.

Estimated Cost

$7,970 - fully online program

Note: Beginning on Jan. 1, 2024, to enroll in Paralegal Studies courses, students must be registered for the Certificate Program in Paralegal Studies. Please note that this program will no longer accept new certificate registrations effective Jan. 1, 2024. Email the Business department at extension-business@berkeley.edu if you have any questions.

Learn from practicing attorneys and have 24/7 access to resources and support in our fully online paralegal program. In as little as 6 months to a year, you'll gain the legal knowledge and administrative skills to land a paralegal job in any state. You'll learn how to conduct legal research, organize case files, communicate with clients and more. Paralegal job opportunities are projected to grow 14 percent by 2031—get the training you need to become a competitive applicant.

Curriculum Requirements

The curriculum comprises 3 required courses and 3 electives for a total of 8 semester units (360 hours of instruction).

You must take all courses for a letter grade. To receive the certificate, you must maintain an overall minimum 2.5 grade point average (GPA), and no grade lower than C. A Certificate of Distinction will be awarded to those who complete the certificate with a GPA of 4.0 or higher (effective to those who register beginning July 1, 2017). All coursework must be completed within 18 months.

How to Register

By registering, you declare your intention to complete the curriculum. To register online for the Certificate Program in Paralegal Studies, complete these two steps:

Submit the online registration, and complete your student account profile if you are a new student.
Pay the nonrefundable registration fee through your shopping cart. Please allow up to 5 business days for the registration to appear in your student account.

Course Registration

When you register for a course in this program, you will receive an email containing your ParalegalSpace login information within 5 business days after enrolling in a course. Your username and password for the online modules on ParalegalSpace will differ from your username and password for the UC Berkeley Extension website.

Note: It is recommended that you purchase the textbook for the first class in the certificate, X418 Essential Paralegal Studies Part I: Foundational Skills, and possess the textbook before enrolling in this class as it may take up to two weeks to receive the textbook. Once you enroll in the class, even if the textbook is not received, you have a maximum of 3 months to complete the course. You may purchase the textbook at Paralegal Specialist Program Textbooks.

Certificate and Award Request

Once you have completed the certificate coursework, notify UC Berkeley Extension that you have completed the curriculum and request your Award of Completion. Send an email to extension-business@berkeley.edu. After your records have been reviewed, verified and approved, your award will be sent to you in the mail. The review of your records is usually completed within two to three weeks after you request your award.

Additional Information

Note: Completing the curriculum fulfills California's education requirements for paralegals. Need additional information? Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions.

Each online course in this certificate provides students with access to the ParalegalSpace 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 ParalegalSpace website to experience the unparalleled support that UC Berkeley Extension's Certificate Program in Paralegal Studies provides.

As it is fully online, you can begin and proceed with courses at your own pace. 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 at the end of each course. You may enroll at any time in our online paralegal courses.

Please visit mycareerstudylabs.com/books/ucbxonline/index.html to purchase your materials.

You can complete the Certificate Program in Paralegal Studies in six to seven months. You can work from anywhere at your own computer.

Statement of Regulatory Compliance

The UC Berkeley Extension online Certificate Program in Paralegal Studies is in compliance with California Business and Professions Code 6450 through 6456 regulatory standards for paralegal education.

Standards for licensure and certification in other states may vary, and enrollment does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certification. Please review additional information before enrolling.

Advisory Board

UC Berkeley and Business Community Representatives

Jeff Selbin
Clinical Professor of Law
Faculty Director, Policy Advocacy Clinic
Co-Faculty Director, Thelton E. Henderson Center for Social Justice, Berkeley Law, University of California

Jan Gruen
Attorney at Law

Jonathan Van Ee
Attorney at Law

Tod Zuckerman
Attorney at Law
UC Berkeley Extension Honored Instructor

Mark Schreier
Paralegal
Student Graduate Representative

Certificate Program in Paralegal Studies

Getting Started

Online Availability

Duration of Study

Estimated Cost

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Required Courses

Electives