Paralegal Certificate
This program, approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), combines an understanding of legal principles, legal analysis, and ethical considerations with practical applications.
Courses lead to an ABA-approved Paralegal Certificate. To be awarded the Paralegal Certificate, the student must complete the certificate requirements and complete or submit evidence of having completed a degree (Associate or higher) from a regionally accredited institution, including ENG 121, or the equivalent. Students who have not completed the degree requirement must complete the Associates of Applied Science - Paralegal Degree to receive the Paralegal Certificate.
In order to meet ABA requirements, only certain online Paralegal courses are applicable to this certificate. If the class is offered at CCA under the PAR prefix, it will apply to the certificate requirements. If you are transferring in paralegal credits, you are responsible for proving the method of delivery.
Students must take at least 10 semester credits of legal specialty courses through traditional classroom instruction. Students must take at least 15 credit hours of paralegal courses at CCA in order to receive the paralegal certificate.
You must apply for graduation on the website prior to your final semester to receive your certificate.
*A paralegal is a person, qualified by education, training or work experience, who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible. Any act performed by a paralegal that requires a legal license to perform, unless otherwise authorized by applicable court rules, constitutes unauthorized practice of law.
Certificate Requirements: 30 credits
Certificate Emphasis Requirements: 21 credits
PAR 116, PAR 205 Students may take either Torts or Criminal Law to meet the emphasis requirements, or they may take both courses, one as an elective.
Electives: 9 credits
Select three courses from the following:
PAR 116, PAR 205: Students may take either Torts or Criminal Law to meet the emphasis requirements, or they may take both courses, one as an elective.