The LSU Paralegal Studies Certificate Program provides a faster pathway for you to pursue a rewarding legal career. Study with experienced instructors in eight paralegal courses (two of which are legal-specialty electives), a 150-hour internship, and an online legal ethics seminar. With night courses and convenient scheduling options, this program works with your busy schedule. This non-credit certificate is the only one in Louisiana to be approved by the American Bar Association.
Format
The Paralegal Studies Certificate Program is offered live online with full- and part-time formats to fit your schedule. If you attend full-time, the certificate program can be completed in one year; part-time can take up to 2.5 years. Each class meets live online once a week for 2.5 hours in the evenings, and we do offer some electives and our Legal Ethics seminar in a self-paced format. Program criteria include six required courses, a legal ethics seminar, two paralegal electives, and a 150-hour internship.
Admission Criteria
The majority of paralegal students have already earned a bachelor’s degree, and we recommend that students complete their bachelor’s degree before earning a paralegal certificate. The admission criteria for the program are:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum 2.5 overall GPA. Applicants must also have a minimum 2.5 GPA in English courses, or;
- At least 45 semester hours of college credit from an accredited college or university with a minimum 2.5 overall GPA. Applicants must also have a minimum 2.5 GPA in English courses (remedial courses do not count). 18 of the 45 hours of college credit must be general education courses, which means they are from at least three of these disciplines:
- Social Sciences
- Natural Sciences
- Math
- Humanities
- Foreign Languages
- English
In addition to the above criteria, applicants must submit a personal statement.
If you are interested in taking up to two courses in the paralegal program for your own personal enrichment as a non-certificate student or if you do not meet the entrance criteria, you may be able to apply as an exceptional student. Contact the paralegal office for more information.
Program Cost
The total curriculum costs approximately $5,740 plus books. The program is semester-based; therefore, you pay as you register for courses.
English Proficiency Requirements
Continuing Education Programs
Continuing Education (CE) courses and programs offered online through LSU Online & Continuing Education typically include a combination of lecture and discussion as well as reading and writing assignments. You need an adequate command of English in all skill areas (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) to participate in classes.
If English is not your native language, you must meet one of the English language proficiency requirements below to be successful in our CE programs. If you intend to register for a CE course or program, you can determine whether you meet English proficiency requirements by self-assessment prior to enrolling. We want to empower you, the learner, to progress successfully. Completing this self-assessment will enable you to make a good decision on whether you can complete one of our programs.
Intermediate English Skills
Most CE professional development courses and programs require at least intermediate English skills, which are equivalent to a B2 level of English language proficiency on the Self-Assessment Form. When assessing yourself, be sure to read through each of the categories under Column B2 to make sure you meet proficiency requirements.
Advanced English Skills
Online Distance Learning courses and microcreds are for-credit courses and might require more advanced English skills, equivalent to a C1 level on the Learner Self-Assessment Form. Be sure to read through each of the categories under Column C1 to make sure you meet proficiency requirements.
For more information about this program, contact the program manager Alanna Clanton at aclant1@lsu.edu or (225) 578-6760.