Program Overview

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies

Program Overview

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies is an established program that has helped students make an immediate impact in law firms, companies, or social justice organizations for 50 years. This certificate can be added to an undergraduate degree to change careers, prepare for law school, or expand job opportunities.

Why Roosevelt for Your Certificate

Approved by the American Bar Association

Roosevelt's certificate in paralegal studies is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). The ABA has an intensive review process, ensuring that courses are relevant, high-quality, and well-rounded. Students study with practicing attorneys, experienced paralegals, and a Cook County Circuit Court Judge.

Program Goals and Objectives

The goal of the program is to provide education and training that prepares students for the paralegal profession. The following objectives support this goal:

1. Understand the basic concepts of substantive and procedural law, including the operation of the legal system and the theory of law.
2. Work competently as a paralegal under the supervision of an attorney, including proficiency in using legal technology and software.
3. Understand the ethical obligations of a paralegal.
4. Contribute to the advancement of the paralegal profession.

Lifetime Career Assistance

Students receive help finding a role in a thriving field through Roosevelt's online job site, one-on-one career advising, workshops, and career manual. Gain experience as an intern with law firms and organizations throughout Chicago. Recent internship sponsors include:

• Ulta Beauty
• Reyes Kurson, Ltd.
• Mintel Group, Ltd
• Circuit Court of Cook County
• Center for Disability & Elder Law
• Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing

Flexible Online and In-Person Courses

The program is offered fully online, combining synchronous class sessions through Zoom with online asynchronous instruction. Students must take at least nine semester hours of courses with live instruction over Zoom. In-person courses are also available at the Chicago campus.

A Dynamic Career

The paralegal career offers a good work-life balance, solid prospects for improvement, opportunities for promotion, and excellent compensation. Paralegals work in various areas of law across diverse organizations, including law firms, corporations, social justice organizations, and healthcare institutions.

Affordable Career Advancement

The Roosevelt certificate is an affordable option for aspiring paralegals. See tuition and fees for more information.

Earn Your Certificate on Your Schedule

The program can be completed fully online in 9-16 months. Full-time and part-time online schedules are available, allowing students who work full-time to take 1-2 courses at a time. Full-time students can complete their certificate in 9 months. In-person classes are also available at the Chicago campus.

Admission Info

Location

• Chicago
• Online

Start Term

• Fall
• Spring

Requirements

• Earned a bachelor's degree before starting classes
• Online application
• Bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited institution (recommended minimum 2.5 grade point average)
• Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities in the United States
• Statement of intent (200-300 words)
• Resume
• Foreign Credential Evaluation for course work completed outside the U.S.

Sample Courses

• Civil Law
• Commercial Law
• Litigation I
• Legal Writing
• Advanced Litigation & eDiscovery
• Intellectual Property

Career Opportunities

Paralegal graduates hold titles such as:

• Paralegal
• Legal assistant
• Claims technician
• Permitting specialist
• Legal administrator
• Records specialist

Roosevelt alumni work for organizations such as:

• Abbott Laboratories
• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago
• City of Chicago
• Levenfeld Pearlstein LLC
• McDonald’s Corporation
• Swanson, Martin and Bell LLP
• Ulta Beauty
• Winston & Strawn LLP

Graduates have gone on to attend many law schools, including:

• DePaul University
• Illinois Institute of Technology - Kent College of Law
• UIC John Marshall Law School
• Loyola University Chicago
• Michigan State University
• Saint Louis University
• Valparaiso University

Meet Your Faculty

• Carrie Lausen, Director of Paralegal Studies Program
• Chanita Dean, Assistant Director of Paralegal Studies Program and Career Preparation Seminar Instructor
• Jim Fine, Teach Prf Paralegal Studies

Disclaimer

Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law. According to ABA Guidelines, students must take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.