Program Overview

Introduction to the Paralegal Studies Certificate Program

The University of Massachusetts Lowell offers a Paralegal Studies Certificate program that can be completed entirely online. This 6-course program is designed to provide students with a foundational knowledge of legal matters, including legal research, litigation, and legal concepts.

Program Overview

The Paralegal Studies Certificate program explores the role of paralegals in both the public and private sectors. Upon completion of the program, students will gain an understanding of legal concepts and vocabulary, the litigation process, and the principles of jurisprudence. The program is credit-bearing, which means that courses completed through this program may apply toward the online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice: Paralegal option or the Bachelor of Liberal Arts: Legal Studies Concentration.

Career Outlook

The career outlook for paralegals is promising, with 15,769 jobs available in 2023 and a median earnings of $67K/yr. The field is expected to grow 14 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. Paralegals can work in various settings, including law firms, government agencies, corporations, and nonprofit organizations.

Occupations

Paralegals can pursue various occupations, including:

• Paralegals and Legal Assistants
• Compliance Officers
• Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
• Title Examiners, Abstractors and Searchers
• Legal Support Workers

Learning Outcomes

The Paralegal Studies Certificate program is designed to provide students with a foundational knowledge of legal matters, including:

• Legal research processes and written reports, case briefs and memoranda
• Litigation procedures such as discovery, pleadings, motions and depositions, and trials and appeals
• Real estate deeds, title examinations, brokerage contracts, and tenant rights and liabilities
• Legal concepts and terminology related to core estate planning tools
• Utilize Lexis Advance for legal research and prepare to earn the Lexis Paralegal Certificate of Mastery

Curriculum Outline

The program requires the completion of 6 courses (18 credits), including:

Required Courses (3 Courses / 9cr)

• LGST.1030 Introduction to Paralegal Studies (3cr)
• LGST.3870 Legal Research Methods (3cr)
• LGST.3900 Litigation (3cr)

Electives (Choose 3 / 9cr)

• LGST.2100 Restorative Justice (3cr)
• LGST.2340 Criminal Law (3cr)
• LGST.2610 Introduction to Legal Concepts (3cr)
• LGST.2500 Disability and the Law: Legal Rights of People with Disabilities (3cr)
• LGST.2620 Introduction to Business Law (3cr)
• LGST.2870 Legal Writing (3cr)
• LGST.3600 Legal Issues in Racism (3cr)
• LGST.3630 Corporate and Property Law (3cr)
• LGST.3650 The Legal Environment of Business (3cr)
• LGST.3660 International Law (3cr)
• LGST.3670 Environmental Law (3cr)
• LGST.3700 Real Estate Law (3cr)
• LGST.3720 Sports, Entertainment and Art Law (3cr)
• LGST.3760 Family Law (3cr)
• LGST.3790 The Relationship of Law, Logic, and Ethics (3cr)
• LGST.3810 Women and the Law (3cr)
• LGST.3830 Alternative Dispute Resolution (3cr)
• LGST.3860 Intellectual Property (3cr)
• LGST.3920 Wills,Trusts and Estates (3cr)
• LGST.4800 Bankruptcy, Debtor & Creditor Law (3cr)
• LGST.4970 Legal Studies Practicum (3cr)

Course Descriptions

Each course in the program has a detailed description, including:

• LGST.1030 Introduction to Paralegal Studies (3cr): This course familiarizes students with the role of paralegals in both the public and private sector.
• LGST.2100 Restorative Justice (3cr): This course introduces students to the fundamental principles and practices of restorative justice.
• LGST.2340 Criminal Law (3cr): This course studies substantive criminal law, with emphasis on general principles of criminal culpability.
• LGST.2500 Disability and the Law: Legal Rights of People with Disabilities (3cr): This course examines the history and progress of the disability rights movement in America.
• LGST.2610 Introduction to Legal Concepts (3cr): This course serves as an introductory legal course, surveying many specific topics.
• LGST.2620 Introduction to Business Law (3cr): This course introduces students to the fundamentals of business law.
• LGST.2870 Legal Writing (3cr): This course trains students to produce effective legal work product.
• LGST.3600 Legal Issues in Racism (3cr): This course presents a study of racial discrimination in the United States.
• LGST.3630 Corporate and Property Law (3cr): This course studies the law pertaining to business entities and structures.
• LGST.3650 The Legal Environment of Business (3cr): This class explores the intersection of business and the law in modern American society.
• LGST.3660 International Law (3cr): This course provides a broad introduction to international law with emphasis on current issues.
• LGST.3670 Environmental Law (3cr): This course examines the legal and administrative problems of protecting the quality of the human environment.
• LGST.3700 Real Estate Law (3cr): This course examines contracts for the sale of real estate, deeds, title examinations, security for real estate transactions.
• LGST.3720 Sports, Entertainment and Art Law (3cr): This course challenges students to engage in analytic reading, critical thinking and problem solving related to the legal issues facing the sports, entertainment and art worlds.
• LGST.3760 Family Law (3cr): This course studies the critical family law issues facing society today.
• LGST.3790 The Relationship of Law, Logic, and Ethics (3cr): This course examines the impact of ethical viewpoints on the structure of legal doctrines.
• LGST.3810 Women and the Law (3cr): This course presents legal issues that often or particularly affect women.
• LGST.3830 Alternative Dispute Resolution (3cr): This course will examine alternative methods of dispute resolution.
• LGST.3860 Intellectual Property (3cr): This course surveys the law of the protection of ideas, trade secrets, inventions, artistic creations, and reputation.
• LGST.3870 Legal Research Methods (3cr): This course introduces students to the fundamentals of legal research and writing.
• LGST.3900 Litigation (3cr): This course examines the practices and procedures involved in the litigation process.
• LGST.3920 Wills,Trusts and Estates (3cr): This course provides an introduction to the law of wills, trusts, and estates.
• LGST.4800 Bankruptcy, Debtor & Creditor Law (3cr): This course introduces the student to U.S. Bankruptcy laws and their place in providing a safety net for both individuals and business.
• LGST.4970 Legal Studies Practicum (3cr): This course consists of assigned fieldwork under the supervision and with the permission of the coordinator.

Undergraduate Certificate Requirements

Students enrolled in the Paralegal Studies Certificate program must complete all courses and maintain a grade point average of 2.000 or better to earn the certificate. All certificate courses must be completed within a five-year period.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition for the Paralegal Studies Certificate program is $385 per credit hour, with a total of 18 credits required to complete the program. Additional costs include a term registration fee of $30 and a returned check fee of $30.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does a paralegal certificate need to be ABA approved?
  • No, paralegal certificates are not required to be ABA-approved in any state.
• If I complete the certificate in paralegal studies, will I be a "certified" paralegal?
  • No, completing the certificate program does not make you a "certified" paralegal. To become certified, you must complete an exam and meet outlined educational or experiential requirements through a non-governmental agency.
• What skills do paralegals need?
  • Successful paralegals are skilled readers, writers, researchers, communicators, and critical thinkers. They also possess a thorough understanding of legal terminology and procedures.
• Will I find a job as a paralegal?
  • Employment opportunities for paralegals are excellent, with 37,300 openings projected each year, on average, over the decade.
• Where do paralegals work?
  • Paralegals can work in various settings, including law firms, government agencies, corporations, and nonprofit organizations.
• What are the types of paralegals?
  • Paralegals can specialize in various areas of law, including real estate, litigation, business, corporate law, personal injury, international law, estate planning, criminal law, intellectual property, environmental law, bankruptcy, immigration, and family law.