10 Cheapest Post-Baccalaureate Certificates in Paralegal Studies Online

There are many careers available in the legal profession beyond being a lawyer. One of the most common and most important career paths is a paralegal. Unlike the path to becoming a lawyer, which requires completing a graduate-level degree program, becoming a paralegal can be achieved by completing a certificate program.

Learn more about these programs, including cost, length, and which schools allow you to earn your paralegal certificate online.

What Is a Certificate in Paralegal Studies?

A certificate in paralegal studies is a certificate of completion awarded to acknowledge that a student has acquired the essential skills needed to work in specialized roles as legal assistants. Some of the most important skills taught in these programs include legal research, legal terminology, and legal analysis.

Unlike a law degree, paralegal studies certificate programs focus on legal studies from a clerical position. The main role of a paralegal is to assist lawyers with their cases without appearing in court or providing legal advice to clients. Like law degrees, paralegal certificate courses must be accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).

Can I Earn a Paralegal Studies Certificate Online?

It is possible, and very common, to complete an online paralegal certificate program. There are many ABA-approved programs that cover the basics of the legal systems and in-demand, hands-on skills such as legal writing, reviewing legal documents, and more. One of the biggest advantages of online paralegal certification programs is that they are self-paced programs that provide flexibility for working adults or parents looking to return to work.

How Much Does an Online Paralegal Studies Certificate Cost?

The average cost of paralegal training online ranges from $7,000 to $10,000. These costs include tuition, supplies, and books. Some schools have different payment options, including payment plans, which can help spread these costs out to make them more affordable. Additionally, programs offered through career schools and accredited universities' continuing education departments can qualify for financial aid packages, including scholarships for onlien students.

How Long Is an Online Paralegal Certificate Program?

The average length of time required to complete an online paralegal certificate program is about six to 12 months. There are some highly accelerated 8-week paralegal certificate online programs, but most programs will take longer than that.

Cheapest Paralegal Studies Certificate Programs Online

Starting a career in the legal field doesn't require expensive law schools or lengthy legal education programs. Here are some of the top paralegal certificate programs available online.

1. United States Career Institute

The United States Career Institute (USCI) is an online technical school that offers multiple certificates, including a paralegal program. This fully self-paced program is completed in an average of four to eight months. All coursework is delivered through an online platform that works seamlessly on mobile devices, allowing students to truly learn anywhere.

• Estimated tuition cost: $889
• Financial aid: USCI has payment plan options and qualifies for many employer reimbursement programs.
• Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)

2. Penn Foster Career School

Penn Foster Career School offers students the opportunity to earn a paralegal certificate through a self-paced, online program. Students in the fast-track program can earn their certificate in four months, but most students complete the coursework in around 11 months.

There are no set start dates for this program, due to the self-paced nature of the program, allowing students to start whenever they want to. Penn Foster also offers an Associate's degree in paralegal studies.

• Estimated tuition cost: $894
• Financial aid: Penn Foster offers payment plan options to reduce students' costs.
• Accreditation: DEAC

3. Clayton State University

The paralegal studies certificate from Clayton State University is offered both online and on campus in Georgia. This certificate is designed for students who already hold an associate's or bachelor's degree, but these degrees don't have to be related to law or legal studies.

This 18-credit certificate requires nine credits to be completed in face-to-face classes or through synchronous online courses, but other credits can be earned through asynchronous or self-paced classes.

• Estimated tuition cost: $3,047
• Financial aid: Students can submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) documents and apply for school-provided scholarships.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

4. Rice University

Rice University's paralegal certificate can be completed either online or at its Houston campus. Students in this program generally take two to five months to complete their studies. Online students participate in instructor-led, synchronous courses.

• Estimated tuition cost: $5050
• Financial aid: This program doesn't qualify for federal or state-based aid, but Rice does have resources to help students find alternate and third-party aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. Loyola University New Orleans

There are two options for the Loyola University New Orleans paralegal certificate program. Students can choose from the self-paced pathway (which takes around six months on average) and the synchronous courses (which take about four months). Both programs result in the same certificate and are 100% online.

The self-paced pathway starts on the 15th of each month, while the synchronous program has set start dates throughout the year.

• Estimated tuition cost: $6,299
• Financial aid: Loyola students can qualify for the LaNasa Memorial Scholarship and FAFSA-based aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. University of California San Diego Extended Studies

The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) offers an online paralegal certificate program in multiple formats. Students can choose from a traditional full-time schedule or accelerated and part-time options. This certificate utilizes both scheduled classes and coursework completed at your own pace. There are multiple elective courses that students can choose from to specialize their work in a single type of law.

• Estimated tuition cost: $6,487.50
• Financial aid: UCSD's certificate programs qualify for FAFSA-based student aid. The school also offers grants and scholarship opportunities.
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

7. Liberty University

Liberty University offers a fully online paralegal certificate. This 18-credit-hour certificate program includes free digital textbooks, which helps reduce costs outside of tuition.

This certificate can lead to paralegal positions at law offices. Still, some students also use this program as a springboard to a paralegal associate degree or even a bachelor's degree through Liberty's online platform.

• Estimated tuition cost: $7,020
• Financial aid: Liberty accepts FAFSA-based aid and offers scholarships and military-based tuition discounts.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. University of California, Los Angeles

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) offers a post-baccalaureate paralegal studies certificate online. Students in this program are required to hold a bachelor's degree, an associate's degree, or 60 semester credits from an accredited institution. All classes are taught in synchronous, instructor-led formats.

• Estimated tuition cost: $7,995
• Financial aid: Students can submit their FAFSA and apply for federal student aid at UCLA.
• Accreditation: WSCUC

9. California State University, East Bay

The paralegal studies certificate from California State University, East Bay (CSUEB) is offered fully online and can be completed in 12 months. In addition to a well-respected education, this program comes with membership in the San Francisco Paralegal Association at no additional cost. This allows students to begin networking and can help with future employment.

• Estimated tuition cost: $8,350
• Financial aid: This program doesn't qualify for FAFSA-based aid, but CSUEB has grant funding and additional discounts available.
• Accreditation: WSCUC

10. National University

National University offers a standalone paralegal program that can also segue into the school's Bachelor of Arts in legal studies. Students are required to have 36 transferable credits from an accredited institution. The certificate's curriculum includes 25 total credits and can be completed in 12 months.

• Estimated tuition cost: $8,929
• Financial aid: Some National University students can qualify for federal aid, and the school offers payment plans and other financial aid packages for students who don't qualify.
• Accreditation: WSCUC

How We Rank Schools

We use three main criteria to ensure our recommendations meet both your academic and financial needs. These criteria look at programs' cost, accreditation, and overall reputation.

• Accreditation: Each program on this list is regionally or nationally accredited by a Department of Education recognized body, which ensures career opportunities and can lead to advanced degrees.
• Affordability: Every program on this list costs less than $10,000 in tuition and has some form of financial aid and payment plans.
• Program reputation: These schools and providers were selected due to their reputations based on alumni and third-party awards, such as U.S. News & World Report.

What To Expect From an Affordable Online Paralegal Studies Certificate

Students should expect a few common features of online paralegal studies programs, though each school has slight differences. Students should expect four to 12 months of studying to cover the basics of tort law, family law, and several other legal specialties.

Many programs allow students to use elective credit slots to further specialize their training. Although these programs won't allow you to practice law, they are a great building block for pre-law students to learn fundamentals that will prepare them for a law degree.

FAQs About Low-Cost Paralegal Studies Certificates

Many aspiring paralegals have questions about certificate programs. These questions often include program length, value, and career outcomes.

Is an Online Paralegal Studies Certificate Worth It?

An accredited online paralegal studies certificate is worth it for most students. These certificates allow students to begin working in the legal field, with the median pay for paralegals being nearly six times the cost of most programs. These certificates can also be used to reduce the total credits required to graduate from law school, saving money on future education.

What Can You Do With a Paralegal Studies Certificate?

Graduates of paralegal studies certificate programs can apply for careers as paralegals, legal researchers, and legal assistants. Paralegal certificate holders are qualified for a large array of legal careers, but they aren't allowed to provide legal advice or practice law.

What Is the Shortest Online Paralegal Certificate Program?

Some of the shortest online paralegal certificate programs are offered at Rice University, which can range from two to five months. Several other schools offer four to six-month-long programs. There are also self-paced programs available at many schools, which can be completed on a more compact timeline.

What Are the Minimum Requirements To Enroll in a Paralegal Certificate Program Online?

Minimum requirements vary from program to program. Some programs only require a high school diploma or equivalent, while other programs require a college degree or equivalent credit hours. Make sure to look into the requirements for your chosen program before applying.

What Are the Benefits of Earning a Paralegal Certification Online?

There are many benefits of earning a paralegal certificate online. Some of the biggest advantages are that they can save time and money for the same certificate that you'd earn on campus. Other advantages include flexible scheduling, with many programs being offered with self-paced formats.

Discover Online Certificate Programs

Read our articles to learn more about these schools and other online certificate programs. Find the information you need to pick the best program for your goals and begin working toward your career today.