10 Short & Affordable Online Paralegal Certificate Programs 2026

There are several quick paralegal certificate programs that provide important training for new job seekers. Online paralegal education combined with relevant experience makes it easier to find better opportunities as a legal secretary. We'll show you some of the most affordable ways to do this in less than a year.

What Is an Online Paralegal Certificate Program?

Online programs offer the chance to earn a fast paralegal certificate without having to attend courses at a university or community college. They teach you about legal concepts, legal research, writing, tort law, property law, estate law, and other essential skills for the paralegal career field.

How Fast Can I Get a Paralegal Certificate Online?

You can earn an online paralegal certificate in less than a year at several reputable programs. The curriculum typically takes between four and 12 months to cover everything. Some courses are more in-depth than others, but they provide enough information to prepare students for entry-level employment as legal assistants.

How Much Do Affordable Online Paralegal Programs Cost?

This will depend on where you enroll. Our list below has a maximum cost no greater than $500 per credit hour or $10,000 altogether. Some quick courses only cost a few hundred dollars, whereas some programs may charge a total tuition bill of up to $20,000.

Best Fast-Track Paralegal Programs Online

Here is a list of paralegal fast-track programs with affordable tuition costs. These programs should take about a year or less to complete.

1. Penn Foster

Penn Foster has a low-cost paralegal program designed to prepare you for certification in just four months. This ''career diploma'' features online courses covering foundational legal topics such as legal research, preparing legal documents, and carefully filing court documents. This program holds a formal accreditation and permits students to complete coursework at their own pace.

• Estimated tuition cost: $749 (total program cost)
• Program length: Four months
• Financial aid: Students have the option of using monthly payment plans with payments of about $20.
• Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)

2. Liberty University

Liberty University offers all its programs online, including a paralegal studies certificate. This program involves 18 hours of coursework, which most students complete within a year. It covers topics like legal writing, civil practice, wills/trusts, tort law, and real estate law.

• Estimated tuition cost: $410 per credit hour
• Program length: One year
• Financial aid: Liberty has special discounts for military veterans, along with other financial aid packages.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

3. The Center for Legal Studies has a certification program divided into course components: Paralegal I and Paralegal II. Each course section requires seven weeks of study with about 45 hours of materials. The first part focuses on the foundations of the paralegal profession, whereas part two has seven sections devoted to legal terminology, ethics, the legal process, and more.

• Estimated tuition cost: $89 plus textbook costs
• Program length: About 14 weeks
• Financial aid: This program offers discount bonuses throughout certain times of the year.
• Accreditation: American Bar Association (ABA)

4. Loyola University of New Orleans

The Loyola University of New Orleans has two versions of its online paralegal certification. You can enroll in live seminars on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., or take the course at your own pace. The live-seminar option takes about four months to complete, whereas self-paced students may finish within about six months.

• Estimated tuition cost: $6,299 (total program cost)
• Program length: Four to six months
• Financial aid: Louisiana residents may qualify for training grants through the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. Oregon State University

Oregon State University offers a 14-week self-study paralegal certification. This gives you the option of learning through instructor-led live courses or by reading the same materials in text-only format. Oregon State also has five other related programs, including an Advanced Paralegal Certificate.

• Estimated tuition cost: $2,095 (total program cost)
• Program length: About 14 weeks
• Financial aid: You can qualify for funding resources after completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

6. Florida International University

Florida International University provides paralegal training through in-person or fully online courses. The full program lasts one year if you take courses during a summer or winter session. It requires roughly 225 hours of study to finish over the course of three semesters.

• Estimated tuition cost: $7,095 (total program cost)
• Program length: One year
• Financial aid: This is available for some students after completing the FAFSA.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. US Career Institute

The US Career Institute lets you learn at your own pace with 100% online asynchronous courses. This paralegal certificate program has a flat tuition rate of $789, which covers the cost of enrollment, books, and other instructional materials.

Students spend most of the program exploring essential topics like civil law, criminal law, memo writing, criminal procedure, and tort law.

• Estimated tuition cost: $789 (total program cost)
• Program length: Four months
• Financial aid: The program includes a five-day, money-back guarantee and monthly payment plans.
• Accreditation: DEAC

8. University of Texas - Austin

The University of Texas - Austin's self-paced online paralegal certification program requires 12 months of study. This program may be suitable for aspiring paralegals, law students who wish to learn the basics before entering law school, current paralegals who want further training, or other working professionals.

• Estimated tuition cost: $5,295 (total program cost)
• Program length: 12 months
• Financial aid: Students have access to tuition discounts, scholarships, and standard payment plans.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

9. UMass - Lowell

UMass - Lowell offers a paralegal certification program with course credits that can also apply toward undergraduate degrees in criminal justice or the liberal arts. You can apply anytime for this nine-month program, which includes lucrative internships at several Massachusetts law firms and congressional offices.

• Estimated tuition cost: $385 per credit
• Program length: Nine months
• Financial aid: The school website mentions loans and multiple scholarship options.
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

10. Lincoln Land Community College

Lincoln Land Community College trains future full-time or part-time paralegals in its online paralegal certification program. There are no prerequisites for enrollment; course requirements involve homework for each online session, writing assignments, and several quizzes.

This college also awards a certificate of completion for its advanced paralegal coursework after you finish all six course components.

• Estimated tuition cost: $2,095 (total program costs, not including textbooks)
• Program length: Six to 12 months
• Financial aid: Students must complete the FAFSA for loans, grants, and scholarships.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

How We Rank Schools

This is how we ranked the certification schools on our list. The primary criteria include accreditation status, program length, affordability, and program reputation.

• Accreditation: We selected online certification options from accredited institutions.
• Program length: You can complete these programs within a year or less.
• Reputation: Online paralegal certifications must have a good reputation in the legal community and give graduates a better chance at employment.
• Affordability: These certifications cost about $500 per credit hour or less.

FAQs About Online Paralegal Certificate Programs

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about online paralegal certificate programs. These five questions focus on the value of these certifications, program duration, and the cost of attendance.

Is a Paralegal Certificate Worth It?

If you want to become a paralegal or legal assistant faster, these online courses are worth their short duration and price tag. Although there is no guarantee of employment, many program graduates use this credential to move into more lucrative paralegal roles in various legal settings.

Can I Get a Paralegal Certificate Online for Free?

Yes, you can find free certification programs, but they may not have the same reputation as one from an accredited institution. Also, some paralegal certifications involve free coursework or training modules, but still charge fees for the certification exam after completing the course content.

What Is the Quickest Way To Become a Paralegal?

Your fastest chance of landing a paralegal position is to complete a paralegal certification program, which you can do online or in person. It may help to have a background in criminal justice or legal documentation. However, there are plenty of certification graduates who find employment after earning these certifications.

What Type of Paralegal Is in the Most Demand?

Paralegals are in demand in almost all areas of law. The biggest need for paralegals is in the fields of corporate law, healthcare, intellectual property, and eDiscovery. These fields have the greatest need for support staff who understand legal complexity and the current technological framework.

How Much Do Paralegals Make?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), paralegals and legal assistants earn an annual median salary of $61,010 or a median hourly wage of $29.33. BLS also reports that this career field should remain steady with a similar new job volume through the year 2034.

Explore Online Paralegal Programs

We welcome you to use Learn.org to find fast and affordable online certifications in several other fields. Our resources can help you find certifications for paralegal work, computer programming, cooking, and several other marketable fields.