Accelerated 8-Week Paralegal Certificate Programs Online 2025

Paralegals assist lawyers with various tasks and help them prepare for hearings. They may work independently, for a law office, or for government agencies.

You don't have to go to law school to become a paralegal; many paralegals start by earning a paralegal certificate. Many schools offer these in an accelerated format, allowing you to start your career right away. Keep reading to discover 8-week paralegal certificate programs.

Are There Any 8-Week Paralegal Certificates Online?

There are a few eight-week paralegal certificates online, although most take at least 14 weeks to complete. Eight-week options are often offered in a live online format, meaning that some of your coursework requires you to log in to Zoom or a similar platform at a specific time each week.

Other schools offer self-paced paralegal certificate programs. These allow you to finish at your own pace. Some may take you as little as eight weeks, but this depends on the number of hours required by the program.

What Is the Fastest Way To Become a Paralegal?

While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says that most paralegals hold an associate degree, you can also become a paralegal through a certificate program. Accelerated paralegal certificate programs are the fastest way to become a paralegal, as they fast-track your learning.

What To Expect From an Accelerated Paralegal Certificate Program

Most paralegal certificate programs are offered through schools in partnership with the Center for Legal Studies (CLS). These programs require 90 hours and can be done in an asynchronous online, live online, or self-paced format.

Whether your program is through CLS or not, your syllabus will likely cover topics like:

• legal analysis
• legal terminology
• legal research and writing
• specific facets of law, like family, real estate, or criminal law
• the legal system
• the litigation process
• types of legal documents

You'll learn through lectures, coursework, assignments, and quizzes. Depending on your program, you may have hands-on projects as well.

Top Online Paralegal Certificate Programs

Several colleges and universities across the U.S. offer options for accelerated paralegal training. Not all of them are as short as eight weeks, but many allow you to become a paralegal in less than four months. We've highlighted some of these programs below.

1. George Mason University

George Mason University is a private research institution in Fairfax, GA. It offers the CLS paralegal certificate through its continuing education department.

An eight-week live online option is available with classes twice a week during the week and once on the weekend. A 14-week online option and a self-paced option are also available.

• Estimated tuition cost: $2,195
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. Oregon State University

At Oregon State University, students can take the CLS paralegal certificate program. An eight-week, live, online option is available.

OSU, a public research university, is located in Corvallis, OR. It also offers the program as a 14-week online course and a self-paced option.

• Estimated tuition cost: Starting at $2,095
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

3. State University of New York at Oswego

The State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego offers the CLS paralegal program online. SUNY Oswego is a public institution in Oswego, NY.

The eight-week option includes live Zoom lectures three times a week. Students can also choose the 14-week, online only option or the online self-paced option.

• Estimated tuition cost: Starting at $1,595
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

4. University of Arizona

The paralegal certificate program at the University of Arizona offers two options: an eight-week live online option and a 14-week asynchronous online option. At the end of the program, students receive a certificate of completion and a digital badge.

The University of Arizona, located in Tucson, AZ, is a public research institution. It offers this program in conjunction with CLS.

• Estimated tuition cost: $2,195
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

5. University of Georgia

The University of Georgia is a public research institution in Athens, GA. It offers a paralegal certificate course in conjunction with CLS.

An eight-week, live online option is available, with online meetings twice a week in the evenings and once on weekends. A six-week in-person option, a 14-week online option, and a self-paced option are also available.

• Estimated tuition cost: $2,195
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. California State University, Long Beach

Students at California State University, Long Beach can earn their paralegal certificate online through an eight-week synchronous program. CSULB offers this program in partnership with CLS.

CSULB, a public research university, is located in Long Beach, CA. It also offers a 14-week asynchronous option and a self-paced option. Both programs allow students to study online on their own schedule.

• Estimated tuition cost: Starting at $2,095
• Accreditation: HLC

7. University of West Florida

The University of West Florida offers the CLS program as well. UWF is a public university in Pensacola, FL.

Students can choose the live online option, which takes eight weeks to complete. The other option is the 14-week asynchronous online option.

• Estimated tuition cost: Starting at $2,095
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. Eastern Illinois University

CLS also partners with Eastern Illinois University for their paralegal program. Two formats are available: the online, 14-week option or the self-paced study option.

EIU, located in Charleston, IL., is a public university. It also offers a self-paced, 225-course-hour program through its School of Extended Learning.

• Estimated tuition cost: Starting at $2,095
• Accreditation: HLC

9. University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Austin is a public research institution in Austin, TX. It offers a self-paced paralegal certificate program.

This program is offered by the university itself, not through CLS. The curriculum focuses on the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, and students have up to 12 months to complete all courses.

• Estimated tuition cost: $5,295
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

10. Boston University

Through Boston University, students can complete a paralegal studies program online in 14 weeks. This program is offered by BU instructors, not through CLS.

BU, a private, nonprofit research university, is located in Boston. The program covers a variety of topics necessary for a career in the legal profession, including a unique module on software used by paralegals.

• Estimated tuition cost: $3,995
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

How We Rank Programs

To choose the accelerated paralegal certificate programs listed above, we focused on:

• Accreditation: All institutions offering these programs are regionally accredited.
• Program length: All programs can be finished in 14 weeks or less, or have self-paced options.
• Program reputation: In addition to being accredited, each institution is nonprofit and offers high-quality legal education.

FAQs About Paralegal Certificate Courses

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about paralegal certificate courses to help you better understand what they offer.

What Is the Shortest Time To Become a Paralegal?

The shortest time to become a paralegal is a little over eight weeks. The shortest programs are eight weeks long, and depending on your state, you could become a paralegal right after successful completion of your program.

However, some states require paralegals to be licensed or hold certification. This requires extra steps that take longer.

Is an Online Paralegal Certificate Worth It?

For many students, an online paralegal certificate is worth it, as it can lead to an in-demand career in the legal field. However, it depends on your overall career goals.

Can I Get Financial Aid To Help Pay for My Online Paralegal Certificate Program?

Some schools allow you to use financial aid for their online paralegal certificate programs. Look for affordable online paralegal certificate programs that accept the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the best chance of covering your tuition.

What Are the Admission Requirements for an 8-Week Online Paralegal Certificate Program?

The admissions requirements for a paralegal certificate program will vary by institution. For example, those taking the program through CLS only need a high school diploma or GED and must be at least 18 years old.

Other institutions may have additional requirements, such as specific prerequisites or an associate or bachelor's degree. Additionally, some states that require certification require the completion of a degree program.

Do Employers Recognize 8-Week Online Paralegal Certificate Programs?

Yes, employers do recognize online paralegal certificate programs, especially if they're offered through accredited institutions. In fact, many law firms will have their legal assistants and paralegals without formal training take these types of programs to help them learn paralegal skills.

Explore Paralegal Studies

Find the perfect accelerated paralegal program for you by exploring the options featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about enrollment today.