Paralegal Certificate
CSM’s Post-Baccalaureate Paralegal Certificate is an ABA-approved, 100% online paralegal program. In about one year, you’ll build practical skills in legal research, writing, and procedure, ready to contribute right away as a paralegal or legal assistants.
Dig Deeper Into the program
Explore coursework and hands-on legal training designed to build practical skills and prepare you for paralegal roles in a variety of professional settings.
This program is open to all students, welcoming both women and men.
Degrees Offered
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Start Terms
- Fall
Program Format
- Online
Credit Hours & Timeline
- Total credits required: 27
- Typical completion time: 1 year
This certificate is for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree. Starting your college education? Explore our Professional Legal Studies bachelor’s degree.
Build practical legal skills to support attorneys and legal teams. The Paralegal Studies certificate prepares you for career entry or advancement in a variety of legal settings.
- Preparation for paralegal roles in law firms and organizations
- Coursework in legal research, writing and case preparation
- Study of civil litigation, contracts and legal procedures
- Training in legal technology and documentation
- Application of skills to real-world legal scenarios
- Cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher.
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Applications open July 1 for the upcoming academic year. CSM follows a rolling admission process, reviewing applications as they are received. We encourage students to apply early for priority consideration for scholarships, housing, and financial aid.
Tuition & Fees
Pursuing a graduate degree is a significant investment in your professional future. At CSM, we are committed to transparency around tuition and total program cost so you can plan with confidence. Our team will walk you through expenses, payment timelines, and financing options to help you make an informed decision about your next step.
Your Roadmap to Admission
From application to enrollment, we guide you through each step with clarity and personal support so you can focus on what matters most and take the next step toward your future.
Why Students Choose CSM
Designed for Career Advancement
Build legal expertise on top of your existing degree to enter or advance in the legal field.
Practical, Career-Focused Curriculum
Gain real-world skills that translate directly to law firms, corporate offices, and legal settings.
Flexible, Online Format
Complete coursework in a format designed for working professionals and busy schedules.
Paralegal Certificate By The Numbers
100% ONline
Flexible Learning
Designed to fit your schedule while advancing your career.
4 COre Areas
Broad Legal Exposure
Build skills in research, writing, litigation, and legal procedures.
100%
Job Placement
All recent graduates were employed in the field within six months of graduating.
Frequently Asked Questions
A paralegal certificate is a focused credential that prepares you to support attorneys and legal teams with research, writing, case preparation, and legal procedure. CSM’s Post-Baccalaureate Paralegal Certificate is designed for students who already have a bachelor’s degree and want to enter or advance in the legal field.
The program is 27 credits and typically takes one year to complete. It’s 100% online, with a fall start.
ABA approval means the American Bar Association has reviewed a paralegal program and found that it meets national standards for curriculum, faculty, and student support. It’s voluntary, and because paralegals aren’t licensed the way attorneys are, it’s one of the clearest outside signs of a program’s quality.
Yes. As a post-baccalaureate program delivered 100% online, CSM’s Paralegal Certificate is open to all students, both men and women.
A paralegal certificate is a short, focused program that teaches the practical skills paralegals use, like legal research, writing, and procedure. It’s built for people who already have a bachelor’s degree and want to move quickly into the legal field. A paralegal degree is a full four-year bachelor’s program that combines paralegal training with a broader college education.
At CSM, you can choose either path. The Post-Baccalaureate Paralegal Certificate is 27 credits, takes about one year, and is 100% online. It’s for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field.
The Professional Legal Studies bachelor’s degree is for students starting college or earlier in their degree, and it’s the only four-year ABA-approved paralegal program in Nebraska and Iowa. Both are approved by the American Bar Association.
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Accreditation
The Assurance of Accreditation
The assurance of regional accreditation means that our degrees have been evaluated for their outcomes — including how well they prepare you to meet the needs of your employers, yourself and our global society. College of Saint Mary is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
College of Saint Mary’s Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies program is approved by the American Bar Association, Standing Committee on Paralegals, 312-998-5618.