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ABA-Approved Paralegal Certificate Program

American National University’s Certificate in Paralegal Studies program – approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) – is designed exclusively for students and professionals who have previously earned an associate’s or bachelor’s degree:

• recent college graduates seeking a legal career
• experienced professionals seeking a career change to the legal industry

Paralegals, whether they are employed on a full, part-time, or contracted basis, are increasingly in demand by corporate, government agencies, law firms, and other organizations because of the specific legal skills and knowledge they possess, making them indispensable to attorneys and the legal system. Please remember that paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.

We offer one of the first DEAC Accredited, online paralegal certificate programs that is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA)!

The ABA-approved paralegal certificate program’s content was developed with careful consideration toward satisfying the American Bar Association’s recommendations for paralegals’ continuing education, as well as their preparation for the national paralegal certification exam.

Also see Paralegal associate’s degree program.

See how we compare

Your Learning Experience

American National University’s Paralegal studies program combines academic rigor with legal, technical and leadership skills to develop well-rounded paralegal professionals. Our graduates are prepared to pursue careers as paralegals to perform tasks in legal, corporate, non-profit or government organizations.

• Learn from a curriculum designed with input from working professionals in the legal industry.
• Your learning experience will emphasize paralegal skills, forms, documents and procedures, as well as legal principles and theories which are pertinent to your performance as a paralegal.
• Develop an understanding on how to use industry-standard online research tools.
• Gain an understanding of how to navigate the court systems.

Paralegal Certificate Program Goals and Objectives

The Certificate Program in Paralegal Studies is designed for students who have already earned an academic associate or bachelor’s degree and wish to develop the skills necessary to become a paralegal. The program provides a broad-based understanding of the core areas of law and the court system, including terminology used in the legal system and how to understand legal documents, contracts, and other legal material. Graduates are prepared to draft routine pleadings and other legal documents, interview clients, conduct independent research of non–legal matters and simple legal questions, and draft legal memoranda.

Upon successful completion of this degree program, students will be able to:

1. Understand the education and training required of a paralegal, and recognize the guidelines and ethical responsibilities of the profession and the importance of legal research and writing.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the history, origin and structure of the American legal system, identify and use major tools, software, and sources of American law.
3. Explain the difference between criminal and civil law and interpret various categories of civil law, such as torts, contract law, corporate law, property law, family law, and wills and estates.
4. Draft basic legal documents such as complaints, answers, and contracts, interview clients, conduct independent research of non–legal matters and simple legal questions, and draft legal memoranda.

Why American National University?

• Convenience and flexibility – With day and evening classes you have the flexibility to work as you earn your degree.
• Personal attention – You’re not just a face in a crowd, our small class sizes allow for personal attention from instructors.
• Career professionals as instructors – With current and relevant curricula, you will learn from instructors with real-world field experience who will guide and mentor you.
• Career services – Our career services team starts to help you before you graduate with your resume, cover letters, interviewing techniques and how to search for great career opportunities.
• Alumni benefits – Our support doesn’t end at graduation, as an alumnus you will have access to our career services and refresher¹ courses available throughout your career.

¹Refresher training is tuition-free for qualified students. Additional costs such as lab fees, books and supplies are the responsibilities of the student. Retraining is limited to the program from which the student graduated and is subject to space available.

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