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About This Program
Study the basics of legal terminology, research, and writing, as well as U.S. legal theory and concepts by earning an undergraduate paralegal studies certificate at American Public University (APU).
Coursework in APU’s paralegal certificate provides a strong foundation for responsibilities related to law, administration, and legal support services. As a student in APU’s paralegal studies certificate online program, you’ll gain exposure to a wide spectrum of legal functions including attorney-paralegal communication, research, investigation, trial preparation, legal document drafting, and office management. The program also exercises your critical thinking and analytical skills.
APU is part of the American Public University System, which is an officially recognized member of the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC Member Number 5070).
NOTE: While paralegals perform many of the same tasks as lawyers, they are prohibited from carrying out duties considered to be the practice of law, such as setting legal fees, giving legal advice, and presenting cases in court.
What You Will Do
- 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 in legal research, as well as each of their sources and purposes
- Distinguish how advice, persuasion, and advocacy enter into legal research
Program at a Glance
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Want to Learn More?
Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version
Choose 24 credit hours from this section.
Course ID: 2886
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/26/22 - 06/02/23 | 06/05/23 - 07/30/23 | Spring 2023 Session D | 8 Week session |
01/30/23 - 06/30/23 | 07/03/23 - 08/27/23 | Summer 2023 Session B | 8 Week session |
02/27/23 - 08/04/23 | 08/07/23 - 10/01/23 | Summer 2023 Session I | 8 Week session |
03/27/23 - 09/01/23 | 09/04/23 - 10/29/23 | Summer 2023 Session D | 8 Week session |
04/24/23 - 09/29/23 | 10/02/23 - 11/26/23 | Fall 2023 Session B | 8 Week session |
05/29/23 - 11/03/23 | 11/06/23 - 12/31/23 | Fall 2023 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2897
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/26/22 - 06/02/23 | 06/05/23 - 07/30/23 | Spring 2023 Session D | 8 Week session |
01/30/23 - 06/30/23 | 07/03/23 - 08/27/23 | Summer 2023 Session B | 8 Week session |
02/27/23 - 08/04/23 | 08/07/23 - 10/01/23 | Summer 2023 Session I | 8 Week session |
03/27/23 - 09/01/23 | 09/04/23 - 10/29/23 | Summer 2023 Session D | 8 Week session |
04/24/23 - 09/29/23 | 10/02/23 - 11/26/23 | Fall 2023 Session B | 8 Week session |
05/29/23 - 11/03/23 | 11/06/23 - 12/31/23 | Fall 2023 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2900
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/26/22 - 06/02/23 | 06/05/23 - 07/30/23 | Spring 2023 Session D | 8 Week session |
01/30/23 - 06/30/23 | 07/03/23 - 08/27/23 | Summer 2023 Session B | 8 Week session |
02/27/23 - 08/04/23 | 08/07/23 - 10/01/23 | Summer 2023 Session I | 8 Week session |
03/27/23 - 09/01/23 | 09/04/23 - 10/29/23 | Summer 2023 Session D | 8 Week session |
04/24/23 - 09/29/23 | 10/02/23 - 11/26/23 | Fall 2023 Session B | 8 Week session |
05/29/23 - 11/03/23 | 11/06/23 - 12/31/23 | Fall 2023 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2901
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/26/22 - 06/02/23 | 06/05/23 - 07/30/23 | Spring 2023 Session D | 8 Week session |
02/27/23 - 08/04/23 | 08/07/23 - 10/01/23 | Summer 2023 Session I | 8 Week session |
03/27/23 - 09/01/23 | 09/04/23 - 10/29/23 | Summer 2023 Session D | 8 Week session |
04/24/23 - 09/29/23 | 10/02/23 - 11/26/23 | Fall 2023 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2570
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/26/22 - 06/02/23 | 06/05/23 - 07/30/23 | Spring 2023 Session D | 8 Week session |
01/30/23 - 06/30/23 | 07/03/23 - 08/27/23 | Summer 2023 Session B | 8 Week session |
02/27/23 - 08/04/23 | 08/07/23 - 10/01/23 | Summer 2023 Session I | 8 Week session |
03/27/23 - 09/01/23 | 09/04/23 - 10/29/23 | Summer 2023 Session D | 8 Week session |
04/24/23 - 09/29/23 | 10/02/23 - 11/26/23 | Fall 2023 Session B | 8 Week session |
05/29/23 - 11/03/23 | 11/06/23 - 12/31/23 | Fall 2023 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2558
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/26/22 - 06/02/23 | 06/05/23 - 07/30/23 | Spring 2023 Session D | 8 Week session |
01/30/23 - 06/30/23 | 07/03/23 - 08/27/23 | Summer 2023 Session B | 8 Week session |
02/27/23 - 08/04/23 | 08/07/23 - 10/01/23 | Summer 2023 Session I | 8 Week session |
03/27/23 - 09/01/23 | 09/04/23 - 10/29/23 | Summer 2023 Session D | 8 Week session |
04/24/23 - 09/29/23 | 10/02/23 - 11/26/23 | Fall 2023 Session B | 8 Week session |
05/29/23 - 11/03/23 | 11/06/23 - 12/31/23 | Fall 2023 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4295
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/26/22 - 06/02/23 | 06/05/23 - 07/30/23 | Spring 2023 Session D | 8 Week session |
01/30/23 - 06/30/23 | 07/03/23 - 08/27/23 | Summer 2023 Session B | 8 Week session |
02/27/23 - 08/04/23 | 08/07/23 - 10/01/23 | Summer 2023 Session I | 8 Week session |
03/27/23 - 09/01/23 | 09/04/23 - 10/29/23 | Summer 2023 Session D | 8 Week session |
04/24/23 - 09/29/23 | 10/02/23 - 11/26/23 | Fall 2023 Session B | 8 Week session |
05/29/23 - 11/03/23 | 11/06/23 - 12/31/23 | Fall 2023 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4189
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/30/23 - 06/30/23 | 07/03/23 - 08/27/23 | Summer 2023 Session B | 8 Week session |
03/27/23 - 09/01/23 | 09/04/23 - 10/29/23 | Summer 2023 Session D | 8 Week session |
05/29/23 - 11/03/23 | 11/06/23 - 12/31/23 | Fall 2023 Session I | 8 Week session |
Admission Requirements
- All APU 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 APU admission application. View steps to apply.
Materials Cost
Technology fee: $85 per course | $0 for active-duty military, National Guard members, and Reservists.
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 APU admissions representative at 877-755-2787 or info@apus.edu.
Consumer Information
Disclosures
Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.
*Cost Per Credit Hour
U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents, receive a tuition grant that caps undergraduate, master's degree, and graduate certificate tuition at $250/credit hour.
See all military student benefits.