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Paralegal Studies
Undergraduate Certificate
The undergraduate certificate in Paralegal Studies focuses on legal terminology, research, writing, legal theory, and legal concepts. Employers such as law firms, businesses with legal departments, government agencies, and nonprofits require skilled employees with legal expertise, critical thinking skills, and analytical skills. Knowledge gained in this program is useful in professions requiring an understanding of law and the court system.
Program Courses
The curriculum for this program follows industry trends to help ensure relevancy to today's marketplace. View all courses.
Program Objectives
In addition to the institutional and degree level learning objectives, graduates of this program are expected to achieve these learning outcomes:
- Apply legal research methods and techniques that are used in the practice of law.
- Develop skills in legal reasoning, identifying, and effectively using legal resources and writing legal documents.
- Evaluate the importance of secondary sources in legal research.
- Describe the primary rules and sources and roles of each in legal research.
- Distinguish how advice, persuasion, and advocacy enter into legal research.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the nature and function of the law and the application of critical thinking and analytical skills.
- Comprehend and describe what a paralegal is and how one fits into the legal system.
Degree at a Glance
- Number of Credits 24
- Max Transfer Credits 9
- Tuition Per Credit $270 | $250 with military grant
- Program Length 1 year full time
- Program Format Online | Monthly course starts
- Program Director Christi Bartman
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Admission Requirements
- All AMU undergraduate programs require a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (i.e. GED).
- Please read all undergraduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
- There is no fee to complete the AMU admission application. View steps to apply.
Need help?
Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an AMU admissions representative at 877-777-9081 or info@apus.edu.
Undergraduate Tuition Rates
Per credit hour: $270 | $250 with military grant*
*To help minimize out-of-pocket costs, AMU offers a tuition grant for U.S. active-duty servicemembers, Guard, Reserve, military spouses and dependents, and veterans that caps undergraduate tuition at the military TA limit. See all military-affiliated student benefits.
Paying for School
Because our university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), (the same as the Ohio State University, Univ. of Chicago, and U.S. Air Force Academy, to name a few), we can accept the following forms of financial aid and payments:
Ways to Save
Undergraduate Book Grant
Books are provided online at no cost if you are enrolled in undergraduate courses for credit. The undergraduate book grant is estimated to save $600 per academic semester* if you are registered as a full-time student.
Transfer Credits
Accelerate your degree completion by taking full advantage of our transfer credit options, including credit for your previous college courses, military service schools, American Council on Education (ACE) and College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests, and prior learning experiences.
Employer Contributions
AMU has educational partnerships with many employers and associations. Be sure to accurately enter your employer information when you complete our admissions application. Your employer might also offer a tuition reimbursement plan as one of your benefits.
*According to College Board Trends in College Pricing.
School of Security & Global Studies
This program resides in the American Military University School of Security & Global Studies where many of the university’s flagship programs were created by experts from the Departments of State, Defense, and Homeland Security, the intelligence community, and private businesses throughout the world. The programs taught in the School of Security & Global Studies truly embody our Educating Those Who Serve motto because many of our students come from active-duty military and federal, state, and local government agencies.
The AMU faculty is committed to helping you apply educational theories to real-world challenges in preparation for leadership opportunities in criminal justice, public safety, public administration, national security, and more. Many of our professors are highly credentialed and respected leaders in their fields and currently work in the U.S. government.
At AMU, we understand your need for flexibility because most of our students are working adult learners who balance school around work and service commitments. This is why we offer 8-week or 16-week online courses that start monthly. Through an online virtual classroom, you’ll communicate with classmates and professors in forum communities as you work to complete your weekly assignments on your own schedule from anywhere in the world. And with our mobile application, you can work offline and upload your assignments when you reconnect – a strong benefit for deployed personnel.
We encourage you to browse the School of Security & Global Studies webpage to learn more about what’s happening in the school and to find a program that’s right for you.